GUATEMALA: Hope for Children with Disabilities

Scriptures for children with Down syndrome, autism and intellectual disability

In Guatemala, disability and poverty go hand in hand. According to the National Disability Survey, disabled people in Guatemala are more likely to be in the poorest socio-economic group, have lower access to education, and are less likely to marry. They are one of Guatemala’s most isolated and marginalized groups.

People with disabilities have little access to information, healthcare, education programs, or work. For children with disabilities, the concern is even more dire. They are rarely diagnosed and therefore do not receive adequate care in the first years of their lives.

God’s Word teaches that all persons, including those with disabilities, are created in His image. It is crucial children with disabilities in Guatemala hear the Good News their heavenly Father deeply loves them and receive the care they need to fully participate in society.

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1 in 3

One in three families in Guatemala have at least one person with a disability.

$13/YR

The National Budget only allocates $13 a year to each person with a disability.

40%

40% of children with disabilities in rural Guatemala do not attend school. The number is even lower for girls with disabilities.

“I do not feel so alone.”

Hope for Children with Disabilities revolutionizes access to God’s Word by creating innovative Biblical material with striking illustrations, easy-to-understand language, and sensory-stimulating textures, specifically designed for children who face challenges with traditional text-based stories.
This pioneering program also trains pastors and teachers to support families and engage children with disabilities, enhancing inclusivity while ensuring a broad and lasting impact on the community’s spiritual life.
The impact of this program is far-reaching: 600 children with disabilities reached with God’s Word and 2,600 pastors given resources and training to help them better serve families with disabled children.

“Persons with disabilities are capable and equal. It is time the world understands that.”

~ Antonio Palma, Resident Coordinator’s Office, Guatemala.
“My path is often filled with confusion, but my Bible has given me hope. I do not feel so alone.”

~ Aura, parent of a child with Down Syndrome

Hope for Children with Disabilities is meeting an immense need for the disabled community in Guatemala. Your generosity today will help churches build more inclusive and supportive communities and share the Good News that Jesus offers strength, hope, and dignity to all.