At Niños de Guatemala, the school government is one of the most anticipated activities by the students. Every year, our schools are filled with energy and excitement as students organize to elect their representatives. In 2024, at the “El Porvenir” school, 5th-grade student José Ricardo was elected school president by the majority of the 180 students.
The school government elections are a key event that encourages leadership and active student participation in decisions that affect their school community. In the weeks leading up to the elections, recess turned into campaign spaces where participants used posters, music, and cheers to rally their peers and convince them to vote. The elections are not only a fun and social moment but also a chance for young people to learn about civic responsibility.
José Ricardo stood out not only for his charisma and ability to gather support but also for the proposals he presented. Among them were improving the school’s sports facilities and helping the elderly. His main proposals included:
Painting the soccer field. Installing a new hoop for both soccer and basketball. Adding nets to the soccer goals. Collecting goods to support the students’ grandparents.
Once elected, José Ricardo and the school government committee organized various activities to raise funds and turn these proposals into reality. They raised the necessary resources through ice cream sales, sodas, hot dogs, candy, and roasted corn. Thanks to their efforts and the unwavering support of José Ricardo’s sponsor, the school government not only improved the sports facilities but also left a newly renovated field ready for soccer competitions at the school.
José Ricardo’s sponsor plays a fundamental role in his academic and personal development. At Niños de Guatemala, sponsorship isn’t just about financial support, it’s about a meaningful connection between the student and the sponsor. Sponsors can communicate with their sponsored children through letters, calls, or video chats. In one of these letters, the sponsorship coordinator shared with José Ricardo’s sponsor about the leadership he was showing at school. Inspired by his sponsored child’s positive impact on his community, the sponsor decided to financially support José Ricardo’s campaign, allowing his proposals to become a reality.
The sponsor expressed how proud they felt seeing José Ricardo take an interest in being part of the change, improving both his school and the lives of those around him. This close and supportive relationship is one of the reasons why the sponsorship program at Niños de Guatemala is so unique. It not only helps fund education but also encourages students to grow as leaders and active members of their community.
Activities like school government allow students to take an active role in school decisions and push them to grow as committed leaders who care about their community’s well-being. At Niños de Guatemala, we believe these are the future leaders who will help build a better country.
If you would like to support our students and be part of this transformation, you can donate through our website or become a sponsor. Together, we can continue fostering leadership and holistic development for more than 540 students.
