Andrea Garcia

Andrea Garcia is seven years old in the first grade and has been in the program for three years. Andrea is the oldest of three children, she is also the youngest in the program. Her parents work with YWAM in Guatemala City.

Karla Ruíz

Karla Ruíz is eight years old and in the second grade. This is her first year in the program. She has a brother and they both live with their aunt. Karla is a precious young lady with a very sweet spirit.

Christian Fernandez

Christian Fernandez is eight years old, in the secound grade and has been in the program for four years. Christian is the older sibling of two kids. Christian is quiet and athletic young man.

Christian Guevara

Christian Guevara is eight years old, in the third grade and has been in the program for two years. Christian is a fun loving young man who is serious about his grades. Christian is the fifth of six children.

Geovany Tzurec

Jose Geovany Tzurec (Geo) is eight years old and in the third grade and has been in the program for five years. Geovany has a warm smile and a precious heart. Geo is the 7th child in a 10 children family. He has 3 other brother and sisters in the program.

Erica Dominguez

Erica Dominguez is 9 years old, in the third grade and has been in the program for four years. Erica is a very sweet and loving young lady with a gifting of hugs. She is the seventh child of 9 children. Erica has one other sibling in the program with her.

Esmeralda

Esmeralda is brand new to the program and is in the fourth grade.

Luis Mejicanos

Luis Mejicanos is brand new to the program and is going into the fourth grade.

Tari Pelico

Tari Pelico is 12 years old, in the fifth grade and has been in the program for three years. Tari comes from a single parent home is the only child. Tari is a very diligent and organized young lady with strong perserverance.

Vilma Lux

Vilma Lux is 14 years old in the fifth grade, and has been in the program for four years. Vilma is a very soft spoken sweet girl with a strong drive to succeed. She is the youngest sister in a family of 5 children.

Jessica Dominguez

Jessica Dominguez is 11 years in the fifth grade and has been in the program for six years. Jessica is a very soft spoken precious girl. Jessica is the 6th child in 9 children family. She has one other sibling in the program.

Suceli Lopez

Suceli Lopez is 13 years old in the sixth grade and has been in the program for two years. Suzi's bright smile and bubbly personality makes her such a blessing to be around. She is the 4th child in a 6 children family. She has an older sister in the program.

Maria de la Cruz

Maria de la Cruz is 15 years old, in sixth grade and has been in the program for two years. Maria has a very sweet and precious personality and is trusted by all of her friends. Maria is the 3rd child in a 6 children family. Her younger sister is in the program.

Jocelin Caestro

Jocelin Caestro is 13 years old, in the sixth grade and has been in the program for two years. Jocelin has a very tenacious and persistent personality and applies herself to all challenges. She is the oldest of 3 children in her family.

Jocelin Mejicanos

Jocelin Mejicanos is 15 years old, in the sixth grade and has been in the program for five years.

Jocelin Tian

Jocelin Tian is 12 years old, in the sixth grade and has been in the program for four years.

Gustavo Perez

Gustavo Perez, is 12 years old, in the sixth grade and has been in the program for five years. His older brother is also in the program. Gustavo has a gentle heart and sweet spirit and makes friends easily.

Jessica Guevara

Jessica Guevara is 11 years old, in the sixth grade and has been in the program for six years. She is the youngest sister in a family of 7 children. Jessica is an incredibly smart and outgoing young lady. She has consistently been amongst the top 5 for excellence in her grades in the program and has been top student once her time in the program.

Helen Lazo

Helen Lazo is 13 years old and in the seventh grade. This is her first year in the program. Helen is a soft spoken young lady with a very sweet and loving personality.

Juan Carlos Tzurec

Juan Carlos Tzurec is 14 years old, in eighth grade and has been in the program for six years. He is the 5th of 10 brothers and sisters. Juan is the brother of 3 other children in the program. He is a reserved and smart young man. Juan loves to play soccer with his friends and fool around with computer games. He would love to get into business.

Dany Perez

Dany Perez is 14 years old, in the 8th grade and has been in the program for five years.He has a younger brother who is also in the program. He has choosen to switch schools this year and will be going to a Jr. High that will challenge him more than in previous years. Dany is a very friendly and outgoing young man.

Mateo Pop

Mateo Pop is 15 years old, in the 9th grade, and has been in the program for three years. He is the youngest in his family. Mateo is a natural leader and an influence amongst his peers. He is athletic and enjoys soccer.

Juan Rodrigo Mendez

Juan Rodrigo Mendez is 20 years old and in the 9th grade, and has been in the program for 6 years. He has 1 brother and 3 sisters. Juan is one of our original dreamer kids. He is very athletic and his plans are to be a physical education teacher.

Maria Magdalena Cumes

Maria Magdalena Cumes is 15 years old, in 9th grade and has been in the program for five years. She is the youngest sister in a family of 7 children. Maria is a serious yet fun loving young lady.

Gadi Chavez

Gadi Chaves is 16 years old, in 9th grade and has been in the program for five years. She comes from a family of 8 kids. She is sandwiched in the middle. Gadi is athletic but her quiet and easy going demeanor allows her to make friendships easy.

Ana Luisa Mendez

Ana Luisa Mendez is 16 years old, in 10th grade and has been in the program for three years. Ana is a very outgoing and lively girl. She is currently doing her SST. She has a desire to be a graphic designer.

Carolina Tzurec

Carolina Tzurec is 16, in 10th grade and has been in the program for six years. She has a three brothers and five sisters (three of them are also in the program. She is currently going thru her SST school. Carolina has a desire to study tourism and wants to become a flight attendant.

Petra Tzurec

Petronila (petra) Tzurec, is our oldest Student in the program. She is 18, in 12th grade and has been in the program for six years. She has a three brothers and five sisters (three of them are also in the program). She is planning to do her DTS in Spain, she would also like to go to Spain to study business in university. Petra is a talented Mathetician and likes computers.

Graduation of Sheni!!!

We just had our second student of the program graduate!! Sheni graduated with a two year general degree which will allow her to go on to study at University. She would like to study to be a veterinarian. She is a very talented artist as well. So we will see what happens. She is planning to do her DTS (Disipleship Training School) in Puerto Rico in 2009. Sheni graduated highest in her class, with 90's in all her classes. She was Valedictoran of her class as well. She was also a tremendous leader in the Dreamers program, leading four other girls is a small group.

Where are we?

We are currently in three locations. Two are in Guatemala City where we have 31 overall students from very poor communities. The other is in San Miguel Chicaj, a village 3 hours north of Guatemala City, where we have 5 native indian students in the program.

What is Dreamers?

The Dreamers School Assistance Program is a ministry of Youth with a Mission-Guatemala. For more information about YWAM Guatemala please go to: www.ywamguatemala.com

This program was originally launched with the idea to assist kids with a high potential for learning who were unable to fulfill their dreams because they lacked the economic resources for their education. These are kids who could make a difference in their communities if they could be given a better education.

It is the goal of the program to see these children through elementary, middle school, and high school. Our emphasis is on children with strong desires to learn who are from homes that are impoverished. We prefer to work with youngsters in areas where YWAM has already established ministries. We also pursue ways to help the parents take financial and personal responsibility for the education of their kids.

The initial selection will come from the pool of kids we are currently working with through YWAM ministries. Children go through a process of interviews to detemine what their goals and desires are in coming into the Dreamers Program. Participants are then selected on the basis of their initiative and desire for further schooling and the support that they currently receive from their parents.

They must maintain a 75 average in all of their classes in order to apply to the program. After the process of selection has taken place, we will match each child with a sponsor who will give yearly support to complement his educational needs such as purchase of books, uniforms, and school supplies. Sponsors do not pay for the enrollment fees or the tuition for students. This is the responsibility of the parents of Dreamer kids.

It is expected that each child take an active role in doing well with their school grades and passing on to the next grade level. Report cards are copied and given to the staff member overseeing their progress. Warnings will be given for bad grades and failure to move up to the next level constitutes a suspension from the program.

The child will write and send an opening letter introducing themselves to their sponsor and acknowledging them for their support. Children follow up periodically with letters sharing with their sponsor on how they are doing. It is hoped that the sponsored child and sponsor will develop a relationship through time.

Eventually the children will attend the Youth with a Mission SST (Season of Service and Training) and DTS (Discipleship Training School) to continue their discipleship and to gain a better understanding of God's purposes for their lives.