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.