Education For The Children

Cause Area

  • Advocacy & Human Rights
  • Children & Youth
  • Community
  • Education & Literacy
  • International

Location

1630 N MAIN ST #126WALNUT CREEK, CA 94596 United States

Organization Information

Mission Statement

EFTC's mission is to break the cycle of poverty through education and empowerment. We work in partnership with disadvantaged families, children and young adults in Guatemala to ensure they develop the tools they need to break free from the cycle of poverty.

Description

EFTC´s program, the School of Hope, serves over 650 students from kindergarten through university. Our students come from areas where extreme poverty, gang crime, domestic violence and alcoholism are everyday realities. In addition to education, we have a social services program which covers access to clean water, nutrition, health care, hygiene and psychological support. Many of our students are the first in their families to receive and education and their achievements provide new hope for generations to come.

When our school first opened in 2005, we had 80 students. Now, the school is made up of 675 students. Within our building, we have 469 students in "primaria" and "básico," ages 5-17. Our school has a fully bilingual program from reception to 2nd grade, and English classes for the rest of the school. We also have a full scholarship program with 206 students.

A key component of our school is the hard work of our volunteers. Volunteers play such an important role in supporting our incredible students and staff. They provide the time, the skills, and the experiences we don´t always have access to as an NGO. Your role as a volunteer will vary depending on your interests, length of stay, and language level. We are always looking for volunteers with unique skill sets. If you do not see a role that fits your qualifications or expectations, contact us to discuss other possibilities!

Reviews

Would you recommend Education For The Children?
6 reviews Write a review
by Claire K. (2019-07-23 16:39:51.0)
I loved my time volunteering with EFTC! Everyone that works there is so friendly and dedicated to providing the best education and services for not only the students but their families and the community. The volunteer coordinator is super helpful and checks in to make sure you are having the best experience possible. The Teachers are so greatful for the help even if it is just grading papers or helping make posters that gives the teacher more time to focus on lesson planning and helping the students who need it. This is an absolutely incredible organization and I can’t wait to volunteer with them again!
by Lucy B. (2019-05-13 05:31:50.0)
During my two months volunteering, EFTC did a great job working with me to ensure that I had a meaningful impact on the school while meeting my own goals for volunteering. I had a wonderful experience with all their staff and really felt that everyone was working as a team to support the kids.
by Aideen H. (2017-08-17 09:48:58.0)
I have volunteered at The School of Hope in Jocotenango, Guatemala four times now and I'm already planning my return. This school is so special, providing education, healthcare, food, and so much more to not only the students, but the greater community. The bilingual education allows for individuals like myself who may not be fluent in Spanish to volunteer and still build meaningful relationships with the students and staff. My life has been changed forever since I began volunteering with Education for the Children foundation and I would HIGHLY recommend it to anybody!
by David B. from IL (2017-08-14 15:15:51.0)
I was at EFTC for 2 months and it was an amazing experience. As a volunteer at the school, I was an English tutor to grades 2 to 7. Overall the staff and all the other volunteers made my 6 weeks amazing. I would recommend this school to people who are looking to volunteer anywhere from 1 week to 4 months. You will gain so much appreciation for the students as well as the teachers. Definitely, try to make it out to EFTC!
by Lily W. (2017-06-30 04:26:57.0)
One of the best experiences ! I'm amazed how the EFTC foundation doesn't just provide an education, it provides delicious food, health care, counselling and so much love for the children. I came to Guatemala hoping to give or change something for the kids ( a little naive) but I feel like the children have given me so much more! I'm going to miss all the amazing teachers and all the children. Thank you for this wonderful experience !
by Steph E. (2017-06-09 08:23:39.0)
This Foundation runs a well organised and positive volunteer program that has tremendous impact on the local school and wider community in Jocotenango, Guatemala. There are many options for those seeking to volunteer and placements are organised depending on the individuals interests, skills and Spanish language level. The Foundation supports volunteers throughout the entire process of application, volunteer placement and departure, and has weekly volunteer meetings, teambuilding activities and other social events, which is crucial in building a strong volunteer team. My experience in Guatemala has been amazing due to the friendly and open environment within the school and volunteer community. This is a truly positive and effective volunteer oppurtunity that brings out many smiles and happiness for the children, staff, other volunteers and myself. I could not reccommend this program enough for anyone looking to volunteer overseas and truly make an impact!

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