Our Team
Netherlands
How did we get started?
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.
Transparency
Discover more about our annual achievements. Each year, we reach new milestones thanks to our dedicated team, sponsors, volunteers, and donations. Explore our latest advancements and see how we are positively impacting the education of Guatemalan children.
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.
Social Development Goals
In our Project Proposal, we referred to the following SDGs:
1
No Poverty
End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2
Zero Hunger
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
3
Good Health and Well Being
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at al ages.
4
Quality Education
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learing opportunities for all.
5
Gender Equality
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
7
Reduced Inequalities
Reduce inequality within and among countries.
Our impact
of those who attend 1st grade of primary school in NDG graduated from 6th grade of primary school in NDG
of those who attend 1st grade of primary school in NDG graduated from 3rd grade. Basic in NDG
of those who attend 1st grade of primary school in NDG graduated from 5th grade. Bachelor’s degree at NDG
of those who graduated from 6th Primary in NDG continue 7th grade (Básicos) in NDG
of Primary students obtained a grade of 70 points or more in Mathematics in 2023
of Primary students obtained a grade of 70 points or more in Communication and Language in 2023
of secondary school students obtained a grade of 70 points or more in Mathematics in 2023
of secondary school students obtained a grade of 70 points or more in Communication and Language in 2023
Since our beginnings, we have served more than 1,000 different students and more than 800 different families, graduating:
435 from 6th grade
219 from Básicos (middle school)
52 from Bachillerato students (high school)
We currently have 540 students enrolled and serve 420 families
Of the 540 students who started in 2023, we had a dropout rate of 2.2%, mainly due to family transfers from one municipality to another
In the years 2022 and 2023 we had zero pregnancies in the secondary school
From our graduates
continued with our 1-year Hospitality Certification program
have continued with university studies
have continued with some technical study
are working (maybe concurrent while studying other studies)
are married or in a union
have children
Our organization
Margje Polman Tuin
Senior Fundraiser
Margje is an experienced fundraiser. She is responsible for prospecting, upgrading and relationship management of significant donations.
Liselotte Garos
Philanthropy officer
Liselotte has a background in Latin American Studies and is a Spanish teacher in The Netherlands.