We are an organization committed to educational transformation.
Our goal is to provide equitable access to quality education, empowering students and shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
Our Vision
Empowered communities with better opportunities in life through holistic education.
Our Mission
To educate children, youth and families in vulnerable situations, beyond the traditional classroom.
Our Values
We believe that education requires a collaborative effort between family, school, students and the community at large.
We recognize that all children and youth in vulnerable situations deserve the opportunity to receive formal education.
We believe in the holistic development of students, recognizing that they will contribute in the transformation of Guatemalan society.
We respect others, validate their feelings and treat people with empathy, dignity and kindness.
Our Story
In 2006, our founder, Marten Dresen, traveled to Guatemala to learn Spanish and volunteer. There, he met Mirna, a young girl who always went barefoot. Giving her a pair of shoes transformed Marten’s life, revealing the profound impact of small gestures. Inspired, Marten returned to Holland and, with his friend Sander Wirken and sister Annemiek, founded Niños de Guatemala to provide quality education for children like Mirna.
Founded in the Netherlands, the organization quickly gained momentum. In 2007, Annemiek moved to Guatemala and partnered with Carmen Paniagua from Antigua. Sander joined them a year later, and in 2009, they opened their first primary school.
Today, Niños de Guatemala operates three schools outside Antigua, serving over 500 low-income children each year. We focus on quality education and holistic support through Family Support and Nutrition and Health Programs, ensuring children’s mental and physical well-being.
Despite education being technically free in Guatemala, hidden costs often make it inaccessible. Less than 45% of Guatemalan children continue beyond elementary school, but over 90% of our students advance to middle school. Our success is driven by partnerships in the Netherlands, the United States, France, and dedicated volunteers.
Our journey is deeply connected with the local community. Our teachers, principals, and country director are all Guatemalan, demonstrating our commitment to grassroots collaboration. Niños de Guatemala stands as a beacon of hope and transformation, proving that small acts of kindness can change the world—one child at a time.
Our Teams
Guatemala
United Estates
Netherlands
Our Teams
Guatemala
United States
