After tragedy
Owen and Edward are now safe, learning and journeying toward thriving.
Owen: "I feel loved by everyone on the project."
Edward: "I am happy because I have friends, and I am learning."
Owen and Edward* are two brothers who are part of a Viva-supported Learning Space run by our partner network in Guatemala (Red Viva Guatemala). The programme is known locally as CREAF. The programme focuses on education but includes holistic care for vulnerable children. The network works closely with the Ministry of Education, municipal leadership, and local judiciary.
Being part of CREAF is having a significant impact on Owen and Edward, whose lives took a tragic turn when their mother died in a car accident. Up to that point, with their father working as a mechanic and their mother having a job in a factory, the family lived happily, despite their low resources. The grief took its toll on the children's father, who began to drink more alcohol and the three of them found themselves living on the streets. After six months of hardship, the boys ended up in front of a children's court judge. The boys’ aunt was willing to take them into her home, and she enrolled them into school.
Due to trauma and gaps in their education, the boys found themselves struggling at school. Sadly, it’s not uncommon in situations like this for children to give up on school permanently. That’s why the school referred them to the CREAF programme. Currently the CREAF programme is supporting 49 children with their education, as well as offering the children psychological care, spiritual support, creative therapies in music and art, and access to classes on values and self-esteem.
Through the CREAF programme, the boys’ interest in learning grew, and they became active in class and started to catch up academically. As part of CREAF, their aunt started receiving support such as food parcels and attending parenting workshops. Owen and Edward’s aunt says, "I am grateful for the support both in school reinforcement where the children have improved and also the support in food."
* Names changed. Image is representative. Photo credit: Fernanda Reyes (istockphoto.com)
What is Viva’s role?
Programme: Viva’s Learning Space programme – based on initiatives started by our partner networks in Uganda and Nepal – forms the basis of the CREAF programme.
Access to funding: The programme is funded by generous supporters of Viva – who specifically gave to fund this programme. We are managing the funding – including reporting regularly to the donor.
Coaching: All our partner networks are assigned a coach to provide ongoing support. Red Viva Guatemala’s coach, Isaac Salvador, has provide support in all stages of this programme.
Measuring impact: Viva is currently developing tools that will help more effectively measure the impact being had by Learning Spaces.
Global community of learning: Viva connects Red Viva Guatemala to a global community of learning – so it can learn from, and share their learning with, other partner networks from around the world.