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.