Why Does Education in Guatemala Matter So Much?
For many children in Guatemala, getting an education is far from guaranteed, and attending school doesn't always mean a child is learning the skills they need.
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. About 11% of primary-school-age children are not enrolled in school at all.
The effects continue into adulthood. Guatemala's adult literacy rate was about 82% in 2024, meaning nearly 1 in 5 adults cannot read and write a simple statement with understanding.
These statistics help explain why Casa Bernabé Christian School is such an important part of our ministry. Some of the more than 300 children in our school arrive at Casa Bernabé having had little or no formal education and may be years behind other children their age.
Our teachers meet them where they are—without shame or embarrassment—and give them the individualized support, patience, and encouragement they need to catch up. Because learning to read, write, and solve problems doesn't just help a child pass a class. It gives them tools they will carry into adulthood and opens possibilities for their future that might otherwise have been out of reach.
If you would like to support our school and the education we're providing to these kids, there are two ways to do that: sponsoring a student's education and sponsoring a teacher's salary. Thank you so much for your consistent prayers and support of this ministry!