Our Work in Guatemala

We’re unlocking a different future for children at risk of entering an institution.

Disrupting trauma in Guatemala looks like…

Community Outreach.

Education and family strengthening programs that prevent family separation, institutionalization, domestic violence, and sexual abuse.

Transforming the Culture of Care.

Professional support to elevate the standard of care in institutions and identify a pathway to permanency for children.

Trauma-Wise Training.

Empowering child welfare professionals and family judges with the knowledge and skills to provide trauma-wise care.

**We remain determined to dismantle the complex web of trauma in Guatemala.**

Nearly 4,000 children in Guatemala live under state protection.

90% reside in institutions, where conditions are poor and the number of children far exceeds capacity.
60% have family or extended family who, with help, could provide for their care.
Programs aimed at supporting at-risk communities reach only 1% of families in need.

We are committed to building safe families in Guatemala—because healing is possible.

Our impact by the numbers.

78,402

total children stood up for.

92%

of adults we serve take a step towards resiliency.

1,014

adults supported on their pathway to resiliency.

92%

of adult training participants report having an improved understanding of how trauma impacts children.

Every child has a story of possibility just waiting to be unlocked.

AGCI actively works to provide wrap-around support to families, address risk factors for separation, and elevate standards of care in the welfare system.

Sisters Julieta, Margarita, and Ximena* grew up in the red-light district of Guatemala City with their parents.

The family lived in extreme poverty, without access to many crucial resources. Although the girls’ parents were involved in illegal activities, they loved their daughters so much.

After their mother was arrested, Julieta, Margarita, and Ximena ended up in unprotected situations that resulted in sexual violence. When their father discovered the abuse, he reported it to authorities. A judge ruled to send the girls to a protective home—ripping them from the only family they’d ever known.

When their mom was released from prison, both parents fought tirelessly to get their daughters back. Three years later, the girls were finally returned to their parents, reunifying the family.

There are many cases like this one in Guatemala; however, most stories do not end with family reunification. In this case, crisis intervention services and family support services would have prevented the trauma caused by separation. Unfortunately, in Guatemala, not many organizations do the work of restoring families.

We believe that increased support services and a trauma-informed system will keep children like Julieta, Margarita, and Ximena out of institutions and where they belong—in the arms of family. Because no child should be alone.

*Name changed to protect privacy.

Hear from our leader on the ground.

Carmen Cabrera, Guatemala Program Officer

"AGCI is transforming the model of care in Guatemala and setting a new benchmark to intervene in the lives of vulnerable children. Local leaders are understanding more about trauma and beginning to reflect and recognize on their own stories to heal. There is a genuine commitment and desire to meet to the needs of vulnerable children and their families in our country.

AGCI seeks to have a positive and long-term impact on children in Guatemala, accompanying a network of people who understand the impact of trauma, who attend to the needs of children and their families, and will help in their healing process."

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