Orphanages here rely solely on support from adoptive families, the humanitarian aid efforts of adoption agencies and generous donors to help sustain their work with orphans.
There is no state support for orphans in Guatemala. Therefore, when the flow of adoptive families slows or ceases, as it did in 2007, so does the flow of aid. For the children of these orphanages, the situation can become truly critical.
Gladney is compelled to respond as quickly as possible to urgent needs, and we have learned from our ongoing humanitarian work in countries around the world that the needs of orphans continue long after the initial crisis is resolved.
Ongoing, Gladney supports several orphanages with meeting basic living needs. In Summer 2008, Gladney traveled with a dozen teenagers for their first youth volunteer service trip to Guatemala, where they painted walls and bonded with the young orphans who live there.
As we wait for changes in Guatemala's adoption position, Gladney has made a commitment to long-term support for Guatemalan orphans.
Direct Your Financial Support
Gladney's Brighter Futures for Children Fund provides an international children's aid framework for advancing our mission through donor-supported programs — to improve the lives of these at-risk children and help alleviate disturbing orphanage conditions in Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa and Latin America.
Focus Areas — Guatemala — Brighter Futures for Children
- Quality-of-life assistance
- Transition programs for older teenagers leaving institutional or foster care
- Exploration of new countries for adoption
- Volunteer service trips
- YOUTH: Volunteer orphanage trips that engage our youth, college-age and professional young adults in giving back, while improving the children's quality of life. View Guatemala Summer Trip 2008
- Bright Futures Camps
- Emergency relief
Financial Participation
We invite your financial participation and, if desired, you may designate a specific country and/or Focus Area.
Your financial gift will make a difference in the lives of these children. To make a gift for use in Guatemala, click here.
To learn more about financial support for Guatemala orphans, please call Mark Melson at 817/922-6034 or email mark.melson@gladney.org or Sandy M. Owen at 817/922-6007 or email sandy.owen@gladney.org.
Looking to Adopt?
Gladney staff is committed to assisting families interested in adopting. Find out more about International Adoption.
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