Located just southeast of Mexico, Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America. Its spectacular mountains boast a wealth of natural resources and stunning biodiversity. For centuries, this land served as the core territory of the Mayan civilization.

Following two centuries of Spanish colonization, Guatemala gained its independence in the early nineteenth century, only to endure another 150 years of political instability and civil unrest. Additionally, this area is prone to devastating natural disasters, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and hurricanes which cause mudslides and flooding. Despite recent economic growth and successful democratic elections, Guatemala still struggles with widespread poverty, illiteracy, crime and high rates of unemployment and underemployment.

These maladies are, perhaps, even more pronounced in the city of Tecpan, located some 60 miles west of Guatemala City. The overwhelming majority of Tecpan’s 50,000 inhabitants claim direct descent from the Maya. Despite their rich cultural heritage, however, indigenous people often find themselves marginalized, left to endure the brunt of poverty and its associated effects. For this reason, Tecpan School serves as a beacon of hope. Run by nuns of the Hijas de Caridad (Daughters of Charity) Order, the school strives to aid the impoverished children of this region. It offers them a well-rounded education — the key to breaking the cycle of poverty — and the opportunity to rise above the difficult socioeconomic circumstances from which they come.