This little guy received a pack of school supplies last year to continue his education. School supplies like these can be tools for peace. (Photo by Silent Images)

Give Christmas is an opportunity to come together to work for the peace on earth that Jesus came to bring – starting with basic supplies needed for the new school year. Children in La Limonada attend overcrowded and underfunded public schools for only half a day – if they have the necessary shoes and supplies, […]

Give Christmas is an opportunity to come together to work for the peace on earth that Jesus came to bring – starting with a pair of new shoes. Formal school shoes for a child in La Limonada could mean the difference between confidently beginning the school year this January or being shamefully kept home. It […]

Today is #GivingTuesday, an emerging global movement kicking off a season of generosity as a counterpart to the popular shopping days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It is a day to unite our voices around the importance of giving as an essential part of this season. In the spirit of generosity and solidarity with […]

Give Christmas begins today! This is our opportunity to come together to work for the peace on earth that Jesus came to bring – starting with La Limonada, a community dominated by deep poverty, gang culture, and violence. Over the next six weeks, our goal is to raise $80,000. These essential funds will provide practical gifts […]

Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana has been an incredible partner, friend, and advocate for the community of La Limonada. They have had significant impact on the children and the community through Service Learning Trips, Child Sponsorship, and Give Christmas campaigns. They hosted Tita Evertsz last weekend at their Go Global missions conference. We […]

The academies are more than a safe haven for the children in La Limonada. While we believe it is important to provide a beautiful alternative to the negative influences of gang-ridden streets, we also want to develop the children into flourishing young adults, poised to be the future leaders of a peace-filled community. One important […]

Today is World Food Day, a day dedicated to the global movement against hunger. A daily hot meal in the academies can mean the opportunity to concentrate on schoolwork and make better decisions. It can literally fuel a different future. (Photo by Silent Images)

Tomorrow is World Food Day, a day dedicated to the global movement against hunger. Advocates who believe access to food is a basic human right raise awareness and commit to action against malnutrition and hunger among the most vulnerable around the world. In Guatemala, chronic malnutrition is a major concern. According to the World Food […]

Lemonade International shares the vision of our Guatemalan partner organization, Vidas Plenas, to break the cycles of poverty, violence, and injustice in La Limonada through gospel-centered education, gang prevention, and community relief so those most in need can live full lives and experience transformation. Broken families, abuse, drugs, and peer pressure begin drawing the children […]

We seek to build academy libraries and literacy in La Limonada! (Photo by Silent Images)

Children who attend the academies receive love, discipline, and discipleship. They learn to think and apply the principles they are taught. (Photo by Silent Images)

On September 15, 1821, after almost 300 years of colonial rule Guatemala declared its independence from Spain. Today there are celebrations, festivities, and parades throughout the country. Many will come together wearing their traditional clothing, ready to demonstrate their deep patriotism and national pride. Local schools make civic murals, bands play the national anthem, and […]

The academies are more than a safe haven for the children in La Limonada. While we believe it is important to provide a beautiful alternative to the negative influences of gang-ridden streets, we also want to develop the children into flourishing young adults, poised to be the future leaders of a peace-filled community. One important […]

  Sponsorship impacts the lives of children, families, and the entire community. Last week, we shared a testimony of one family who has gone all the way through our programs. Starting in the academies as young boys, these two sons of Miriam went on to receive scholarships and graduate from vocational school. They now have […]

As your children go back to school, what are your hopes and prayers for them? For good teachers? For them to study and do well? For them to make good friends? Whatever they are, will you extend those prayers to the sponsored children in our three academies? (Photo by Silent Images)  

(Mauricio showed off his new wedding ring to Tita and Bill earlier this year. February 2015.) When Tita first walked down the narrow paths into La Limonada, she was working with youth who had fallen deep into gang culture. Many were drug addicts and thieves. She looked past the menacing guns, tough faces, and feared […]

Sponsored children are always overjoyed to receive special mail from their sponsors – notes filled with love, concern, and prayers brighten their faces! (Photo by Rebecca Gant)

We would like to introduce you to David Campos, chaplain of Vidas Plenas. David leads weekly Bible studies with the children and youth in each of the three academies and in homes throughout the community. – My name is David, and I am the chaplain for Vidas Plenas, serving the children and families of La […]

The academies are more than a safe haven for the children in La Limonada. While we believe it is important to provide a beautiful alternative to the negative influences of gang-ridden streets, we also want to develop the children into flourishing young adults, poised to be the future leaders of a peace-filled community. One important […]

In the academies, children learn about the rights they are entitled to as outlined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The wood panels remind them of their ten most basic rights – a name, nationality, home, family, food, love, protection, health care, recreation, and freedom of expression. (Photo by Silent […]

Flipside Christian Church in Madera, California has been an incredible advocate, friend, and partner to the community of La Limonada. We asked Senior Pastor Karl Roth a few questions about how his church first met, fell in love with, and came to partner in such a significant way in the impact of the academies on […]

Children receive essential help on their homework from loving teachers in the Academies. (Photo by Silent Images)

The academies are more than a safe haven for the children in La Limonada. While we believe it is important to provide a beautiful alternative to the negative influences of gang-ridden streets, we also want to develop the children into flourishing young adults, poised to be the future leaders of a peace-filled community. One important […]

Sister Hilda is our beloved cook at the Limon academy. She lives in La Limonada and comes to prepare breakfast and lunch each day for the children. Please pray for her health as she has been struggling with ongoing illness. (Photo by Silent Images)  

This little one is safe and happy in the arms of Maria, the Lima Academy Psychologist.

Students in the Academies grow socially as they play with their friends. (Photo by Silent Images)

This is gang prevention! (Photo by Silent Images)

The academies are more than a safe haven for the children in La Limonada. While we believe it is important to provide a beautiful alternative to the negative influences of gang-ridden streets, we also want to develop the children into flourishing young adults, poised to be the future leaders of a peace-filled community. One important […]

The hallways of the Academies are filled with energy when the children are arriving or leaving for the day. (Photos by Silent Images)  

The academies are more than a safe haven for the children in La Limonada. While we believe it is important to provide a beautiful alternative to the negative influences of gang-ridden streets, we also want to develop the children into flourishing young adults, poised to be the future leaders of a peace-filled community. One important […]

This precious little one is enjoying a hot meal in the Academy. What is she thinking about? What are her hopes and dreams? (Photo by Silent Images)

The academies are more than a safe haven for the children in La Limonada. While we believe it is important to provide a beautiful alternative to the negative influences of gang-ridden streets, we also want to develop the children into flourishing young adults, poised to be the future leaders of a peace-filled community. One important […]

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” Psalm 4:8 (Photo by Silent Images)

In the Academies, vulnerable children can just be kids. (Photo by Silent Images)

Today’s guest post is written by Kelly Cooper of the Bridge Street House of Prayer. My group and I spent January and February this year in the academies of La Limonada. We come from Grand Rapids, Michigan from the Mission School of the Bridge Street House of Prayer. Our time in Guatemala is part of […]