Go To Guatemala

Students for Playgrounds

All children deserve to be able to play. We hope to empower these children with the joy and community that play provides.

OUR MISSION AT STUDENTS FOR PLAYGROUNDS

The mission of Students for Playgrounds is to fundraise $13,000 to build a handicap accessible playground at Centro de Educación Especial Alida España de Arana in Guatemala City. 

Alida España de Arana is the only government-run, special education school for children and teens with disabilities in all of Guatemala City. Alida España de Arana’s play areas are lacking and unable to accommodate their students. Also, many of the children who attend Alida España de Arana come from the surrounding garbage dump communities and do not have routine access to safe, clean, or accessible play areas. 

Our project seeks to involve people, especially students, of all backgrounds and ages in spreading awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Guatemala City and in fundraising for this initiative. All children deserve to be able to play, and we hope to bring to these children the joy and community that it provides.

OUR GOAL IS TO RAISE $13,000, THE FUNDS NECESSARY TO BUILD THE PLAYGROUND.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL

Centro de Educación Especial Alida España de Arana is a school dedicated to serving boys and girls, aged 0-14, who have intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory-hearing disabilities, or more than one disability. Alida España de Arana offers services that include language therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, hydrotherapy, social work, and more. 

Alida España de Arana is the only school that serves children and teens with disabilities and special needs in the entire Guatemala City metropolitan area of about 2.7 million people. This school is a special place that needs our help. 

Click here for more information: https://www.sbs.gob.gt/alida-espana-de-arana/

OUR PARTNERS FOR THIS PROJECT

Kids Around the World is an organization based out of Rockford, Illinois that seeks to impact the lives of kids and their surrounding communities with God’s transforming hope through food, play, and story. 

The Kids Around the World playground initiative aims to create environments in communities, schools, orphanages, and refugee camps where children can experience the joy of childhood and meet Jesus. Additionally, Kids Around the World partners with domestic organizations to locate quality playgrounds that are being removed and replaced around the United States. Kids Around the World recycles and refurbishes these playgrounds to be enjoyed by children abroad. 

Kids Around the World will be partnering with HOPE’S IN by providing a recycled and refurbished playground for Alida España de Arana, and it will be leading HOPE’S IN volunteers on how to build and upkeep the playground.

Potter’s House Association provides family development, education, health and nutrition, micro-enterprises, and community development to communities in need in Guatemala. 

Potter’s House Association will be partnering with HOPE’S IN by helping to contract volunteer lunches, security, and customs help during the playground project. 

MEET THE INTERNS LEADING THIS PROJECT

Hi, our names are Eve and Sophie Hoeltgen, and we are so excited to be working with HOPE’S IN this summer. Eve is a rising sophomore at Southern Methodist University majoring in political science and history; Sophie is a rising sophomore at Boston College majoring in international studies. Apart from academics, we both are a part of the cross country and track teams at our schools. This summer, we are working on a project called Students for Playgrounds in which we will be fundraising to build an accessible playground at the only school for children and teens with disabilities in all of Guatemala City. This project is important to us because as athletes and students we recognize the physical, mental and emotional value of playing, exercising, and interacting with peers. 

Support Students for Playgrounds, Donate Today!

$5,170 of $13,000 raised
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Donation Total: $10 One Time

HOPE’S IN DEDICATING TO EMPOWERING FAMILIES IN GUATEMALA AND HELPING TO DEVELOP THE NEXT GENERATION OF HUMANITARIAN LEADERS.