Photo of the Week: Give School Shoes from Lemonade International on Vimeo. It is amazing what a simple pair of shoes can do. And even more incredible what a pair of shoes in the context of love and ongoing partnership WILL do for the children of La Limonada. (Photos by Lizza Majus)

Another school year has officially begun! The children returned to the academies, filling the classrooms with learning and laughter. Children in La Limonada attend overcrowded and underfunded public schools for only half a day. But we believe education is key to gang prevention and breaking the cycles of poverty. That’s why, through your support, children […]

Registrations began yesterday for the new school year. Once again, the academies are brimming with children full of potential, dignity, and worth. Thank you for investing in their lives! (Photo by Lizza Majus)

Good news! We are 95% of the way toward our Give Christmas goal – a goal that represents the very real costs of essential children’s shoes, school supplies, scholars’ tuition, and teachers’ wages as integral parts of our ongoing community development work. With your help, we will continue to act as conduits of generosity and […]

With only three days left in 2015, we are 80% of the way to our goal of $80,000 to provide children and families with opportunities to escape cycles of poverty, violence, and injustice in the coming year.  In addition to meeting tangible needs at the beginning of a new school year, your 2015 tax-deductible donation […]

We believe in investing in the children of La Limonada during their most vulnerable years. By the age of 7, many are struck by the reality of the deep poverty, prejudice, and lack of opportunities for a future. Will you join us in walking with them towards full lives in Jesus?

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 […]

Last January, Carlitos received a brand new pair of shoes through Give Christmas 2014. These weren’t just any shoes. They were quality, handmade shoes made right there in his community by Otto. Ready for the school year, he experienced the rare joy of a brand new gift purchased just for him!

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 […]

What does it do to a child growing up around constant reminders of the violence that dominates their community? Walking to school in La Limonada means passing by walls littered with bullet holes and signs of the gang presence that surrounds them. (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 […]

  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 […]

Many of our child sponsors have taken the opportunity to come to Guatemala and meet their sponsored children in person. This is an incredible experience for the sponsor, the child, the classrooms, and the families. Some of the most powerful elements of child sponsorship are the love, prayers, and relationships – to think someone far […]

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)  

Many of our child sponsors have taken the opportunity to come to Guatemala and meet their sponsored children in person. This is an incredible experience for the sponsor, the child, the classrooms, and the families. Some of the most powerful elements of child sponsorship are the love, prayers, and relationships – to think someone far […]

Many of our child sponsors have taken the opportunity to come to Guatemala and meet their sponsored children in person. This is an incredible experience for the sponsor, the child, the classrooms, and the families. Some of the most powerful elements of child sponsorship are the love, prayers, and relationships – to think someone far […]

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)

Many of our child sponsors have taken the opportunity to come to Guatemala and meet their sponsored children in person. This is an incredible experience for the sponsor, the child, the classrooms, and the families. One of the most impactful elements of child sponsorship is the love, prayers, and relationships – to think someone far […]

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 […]

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

Today’s guest post is from Aixa de López, a friend of Lemonade International and advocate for the people of La Limonada. She serves alongside her husband Pastor Alex Lopez at Fraternidad Cristiana de Guatemala. She blogs regularly (in Spanish) at www.aixadelopez.org. Today’s guest post is a beautiful reflection on God’s heart for the poor and […]

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

Friendships are forged within the walls of the Academies. (Photo by Silent Images)    

It is hard to imagine how this sweet little guy playing in the dirt can return to streets dominated by poverty, violence, and fear. As he returns home, he will glance at the bullet-ridden walls and be reminded of the tension on the streets. The older boys who carry guns and fiercely defend their neighborhood lines […]

This precious little one can safely descend these concrete stairs with a mother’s ever watchful and loving eye. Happy Mother’s Day weekend! (Photo by Silent Images)

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)

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

We recently shared photos of the 317 shoes provided for the children of La Limonada through Give Christmas 2014. Seeing the smiling faces and sparkling eyes of the children filled many of us with the joy of the impact that a new pair of shoes can have. Not discarded, unwanted, and used shoes, but a […]

Education is a powerful tool to break the cycles of poverty, violence, and injustice in La Limonada. (Photo by Silent Images)

Children in La Limonada love their pets too! (Photo by Silent Images)

This week, the children of La Limonada returned to the academies filled with excitement and joy for a new school year. Registration took place last week and classes filled up quickly. 98 children were registered in the Limon Academy, 63 in the Mandarina Academy, and 40 in the new Lima Academy — for a total […]