Safe Passage | Camino Seguro

At the Escuelita, kids have the chance to play, eat, and receive nurturing care from teachers and volunteers while their parents work. Safe Passage helps otherwise-forgotten children become school-ready.

The Early Childhood Education Program, also known as the Escuelita, began in 2004 to include some of the youngest and most vulnerable children in the environs of the Guatemala City dump and provide them with a secure, stimulating, and caring environment. In February of 2007, a new facility, the Fran Doonan Early Childhood Education Center, was built to house the Escuelita. This program serves children between one and five years old, enhancing their health and school readiness, and ensuring the well-being of these children while their parents work. The children attend the early childhood program from 9am-3pm. Guatemalan staff and volunteers teach the children through fun interactive activities, singing, dancing and art, as well as provide the children with a daily meal, two snacks, milk and a vitamin.

Programming is based on the "Planting Seeds" method, preparing a child for life rather than work. The philosophy encourages forming trusting relationships, exploration, experimentation, and understanding without feeling judged. The classroom environment is designed as a place for nurturing play.

Safe Passage recognizes the importance of developing a relationship with the mothers and engaging them in their children’s development, growth, and progress. Each mother collaborates by giving time each month to help out at the program. Mothers feel a part of their child’s success and understand the ways in which they too can stimulate their child’s development at an early age.

Mothers help out at the program and, in so doing, learn how to ready their toddlers for attending school.

We have seen incredible differences when the children in the program begin their education in their early years. Our children are already reciting their numbers, colors, ABC’s and even speaking basic English phrases.