The school year has come to an end at Casa Bernabé Christian School. In Guatemala, the academic year runs from January through October, with November and December serving as the "summer break." And before everyone headed off for a well-deserved vacation, we gathered to celebrate a very special milestone: graduation!
Our school has three levels—PrePrimaria (preschool and kindergarten), Primaria (elementary school), and Básicos (middle school)—and the students completing the final year of each level were honored at this year's ceremony.
We held the celebration in the auditorium at Casa de Dios, a large church just down the road from Casa Bernabé. For many of the families in our surrounding community whose children attend our school, it was especially meaningful to see their kids celebrated in such a beautiful space.
If you've ever attended a graduation in Guatemala, you know these ceremonies are not exactly short affairs! Guatemalan culture places a wonderful emphasis on celebrating achievement, and the day was filled with special moments.
After everyone found their seats, Ruth and Annelize, Pastor Christian's wife and daughter, led us in worship. Pastor Christian then shared a short message, followed by a brave student who read a passage from the Bible. Our Casa Bernabé dance worship team performed, and graduates from each of the three levels presented special skits to mark their transition into the next chapter of their education.
The top students from each level then had the honor of bringing in the flags. Everyone stood to sing Guatemala's national anthem, one of the longest in the world.
And finally, it was time for the graduates. One by one, they processed into the auditorium and walked across the stage to receive their diplomas, awards, and medals recognizing their Christian character. Each student receiving a character award was paired with a person from the Bible whose qualities their teachers saw reflected in them. It was a special way to recognize not just what these students have learned, but the people they are becoming.
There were plenty of photos, of course! Outside, our staff and vocational training students had set up beautiful photo backdrops, and families took advantage of the opportunity to capture some special pictures together. We were excited to welcome back two girls who have recently been adopted to celebrate their graduations with their new families.
It was a wonderful day, and one worth celebrating. But for many of our students, reaching this milestone represents much more than completing another school year.
In Guatemala, access to quality education is far from guaranteed. According to the World Bank and UNESCO, 79% of Guatemalan children at late-primary age are unable to read and understand an age-appropriate text, and about 11% of primary-school-age children are not enrolled in school at all. Some of the children who arrive at Casa Bernabé have had little or no formal education and may be years behind other children their age.
Our teachers meet students where they are, offering the patience, encouragement, and individualized support they need to catch up and succeed. For children who have experienced difficult beginnings, that opportunity can change the course of their lives.
We believe education is one of the most important tools for breaking cycles of poverty and abuse. Learning to read, write, think critically, and solve problems opens doors that might otherwise remain closed. And a Christ-centered education gives children the opportunity to grow not only academically, but also in their faith and understanding of who God created them to be.
We are honored to provide this opportunity to more than 350 students at Casa Bernabé Christian School, including children who live on campus and those from our surrounding community.
There are so many more families who would love to send their children to our school. We currently have a waiting list, but before we can grow to welcome more students, we need to make sure we can fully cover the cost of educating the children already enrolled.
If supporting education is something close to your heart, there are two ways you can help:
Student Education Sponsorship — $60/month: Cover the cost of one student's education at Casa Bernabé Christian School
Teacher Sponsorship — $500/month: Cover one teacher's salary and help us continue providing quality education to hundreds of children
Your support helps make it possible for children to learn, grow, and prepare for futures filled with more opportunities than they may have imagined.
Thank you for praying for this ministry, celebrating with our students when they reach milestones like graduation, and supporting them through the ups and downs of a childhood spent rebuilding after difficult beginnings. Whether you're cheering on a graduate, praying for a teacher, or helping provide the resources our school needs, you're part of what makes this work possible.
With your help, more than 350 students at Casa Bernabé Christian School can keep learning, discovering their gifts, and looking forward to brighter futures for themselves and their families!