Unity 4 Orphans’ holistic set of programs helps vulnerable children in Latin America overcome challenges and heal from the trauma that may keep them stuck in the cycle of poverty.
Children in all five countries where we serve face daily dangers and difficulties like abuse in their homes, food insecurity, insufficient education, and violence in their communities. Our in-country partners in 29 locations throughout Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama are the hands and feet of our mission to transform the lives of children in need.
Giving Children a Place to Belong Builds Self-Esteem
Many similarities exist between the children we serve across Central and South America. They experience trauma in their homes and neighborhoods. Their families are often fractured and they take on responsibilities like caring for younger siblings and earning income in childhood.
Kids like to come here because they know they have a place where they can belong and be taken care of. Most children have a lack of care and education and are not being looked out for by their families.
–Enrique, Program Director, Juntos Podemos in Panama
Our partners share our passion for transforming lives and breaking free from poverty, dedicating their time and energy to various weekly programming. Relational consistency can be pivotal as vulnerable children grow and develop their self-esteem.
Political and Social Unrest Makes Violence Part of Daily Life
It’s not uncommon for the children we serve to witness violence as a result of drug cartels, shifts in power, and law enforcement crackdowns. Some have relatives in jail or know someone who has been killed in the crossfire. The streets are often unsafe for kids to play and without solid supervision at home, they are placed in harm’s way every day.
The kids we work with are living in very hard places. Due to the government cracking down on gangs and violence, up to 75% of them have a family member in jail. Most children have to work to help support their families and spend half their days at school, the other half earning income.
–Becky, El Salvador Program Director
Realities like dropping out of school, gang recruitment, teenage pregnancy, and human trafficking are ever-present risks for children and teens in many communities where we serve. In providing educational, nutritional, and psychological interventions, we’re able to change the trajectory of their young lives.
Insufficient Educational Resources Limit Opportunities
The educational systems in many countries where we serve don’t sufficiently meet the needs of children from poor families. Public schools lack the resources that private schools have and the difference can be drastic. Between the quality of education and high dropout rates, many kids end up stuck in the same cycle of poverty as their parents and grandparents.
Our focus is to give the teenagers in this program more hope in life through the love of Jesus and teach them goals and aspirations and what they’re capable of. In the future, we’ll have guest speakers share about their employment as psychologists, police officers, flight attendants, and other solid career paths to break strongholds of generational poverty.
–Deborah, Agape Missions Mexico
Our holistic program set keeps education front and center, encouraging children to reach their full potential. Together with our partners, we stand in the gaps that threaten their futures of flourishing, opening their eyes to possibilities and guiding them to reach their full potential.
Learning English as a Second Language Increases Job Opportunities
We began English as a second language classes in Miramar, Nicaragua, a program that provides a framework for 11 locations where we currently teach ESL. As more children flock to our Saturday and afterschool programs we hope to extend this opportunity to all of them. The results of learning to speak English are life-changing and give an advantage when seeking employment.
I always talk with the kids and tell them that the opportunities I’ve had are because I speak English. I have 18 years of work experience and since I decided to work in English I haven’t had a month without a job.
–Laigthany, Nicaragua Program Director
Our partners play a key role in children’s lives by helping them process what they’ve witnessed and redirecting their focus to future possibilities. Teachers and counselors connect with them and draw out their God-given strengths and talents, enabling them to envision healthy, stable futures. Despite challenges, the work we’re doing together throughout Latin America is transforming lives and we invite you to partner with us!
Help Vulnerable Children Receive Education and Holistic Care