Learning Centre

The Casita provides learning assistance, help with homework, computer access, life skills training, English classes and a library. Children come after school for a place to study, get tutorial help and a snack. Scholarship students volunteer to help the young ones.

Scholarships

Scholarship students are encouraged to become leaders in their community and to overcome the daunting and persistent barriers facing rural, Indigenous Guatemalan children. 

Ancianas

The Casita serves the  Ancianas – about 25 isolated, elderly widows come twice a week to enjoy a nourishing lunch followed by exercise, crafts and social time.

Scholarship students volunteer to help cook their meals and encourage social activities.

News and Events

Mothers of Scholarship Students Volunteer

When our cook, Martina, resigned after 6 years of preparing lunches for the Ancianas and snacks for the students, a group of the Scholarship student’s mothers volunteered to step in and take her place. They were invited to join a cooking class given in a neighbouring village that focused on the preparation of healthy, nutritional, and locally grown foods. These women, who normally are quite isolated within their community have become friends, enjoying the social time, sharing their skills and preparing healthy snacks for the children who come to La Casita as well as providing traditional meals for the Ancianas. This is truly an amazing example of how La Casita is building community, growing trust, and making a difference.

Exciting start for the new year!

Every Saturday the Scholarship students give back to Las Casita by teaching the younger students English, Math, Reading.

Miguel and Yesica
Daniella and Rosa Isela
Miguel

There are a lot of things happening at La Casita. It’s such a vibrant and joyful place to be. Learning is fun in a whole bunch of ways. Being part of a caring community makes all the difference!

The Ancianas celebrated Woman’s Day
Our teacher Alma has a big class of young students. About 137 kids come to La Casita every week!
The Scholarship Student’s mothers learned how to use some of the local plants and incorporate them into healthy meals. They use the food grown in the La Casita garden every day!

Learning how to use computers
La Casita staff took several students to see an optometrist. Rosa Isela needs to see a specialist in Guatemala City for further diagnosis.
Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

La Casita Graduate!

Veronica, was notified last year that she, out of 200 applicants, had received a 4-year scholarship from John Brown University in Arkansas, USA. She will be starting her academic career this January and hopes to study Business Management. Being away from her family and her village is a huge event in Veronica’s life. However, another young woman from a neighbouring village, Santa Catarina, has been at the University for a year and will be able to mentor Veronica.

Our graduate students continually give testimony to the importance of La Casita in their lives and how they’ve been able to realize their dreams. Veronica plans on returning to San Antonio Palopo and with her education hopefully start a cooperative business for women … investing in her community.

UPDATE

Veronica is doing really well and thoroughly enjoying her new school and exciting courses. She misses her mom alot and talks with her often but she is determined to get good grades

2025 Year End Celebrations & Ana Olivia’s Wedding

The year’s end party with the Teachers and Ana Olivia
The mothers of the Scholarship students give presents of food and useful gifts to the Ancianas
Children performing at the Christmas Party
The Ancianas performing at the Christmas Party
Students performing at the Christmas Party
Ana Olivia’s wedding. Ana Olivia is our social worker and community liaison.