Friends of Niños
de Guatemala
a 501(c)(3) organization
How did we get started?
In 2006, our founder, Marten Dresen, traveled to Guatemala to learn Spanish and volunteer. There, he met Mirna, a young girl who always went barefoot. Giving her a pair of shoes transformed Marten’s life, revealing the profound impact of small gestures. Inspired, Marten returned to Holland and, with his friend Sander Wirken and sister Annemiek, founded Niños de Guatemala to provide quality education for children like Mirna.
Founded in the Netherlands, the organization quickly gained momentum. In 2007, Annemiek moved to Guatemala and partnered with Carmen Paniagua from Antigua. Sander joined them a year later, and in 2009, they opened their first primary school.
Today, Niños de Guatemala operates three schools outside Antigua, serving over 500 low-income children each year. We focus on quality education and holistic support through Family Support and Nutrition and Health Programs, ensuring children’s mental and physical well-being.
Friends of Niños de Guatemala is a 501(c)(3) charity.
The Corporation is formed for the charitable and educational purposes of a) advancing education by providing financial support and other resources for community-based educational initiatives in Guatemala, and b) eliminating prejudice and discrimination by promoting cross-cultural exchanges between U.S. and Guatemalan students and teachers, and c) providing relief of the poor by encouraging U.S. volunteers with community-based Guatemalan non-governmental organizations.
Our objective is to raise funds to finance the programs of Niños de Guatemala.
Our Vision
Empowered communities with better opportunities in life through holistic education.
Our Mission
To educate children, youth and families in vulnerable situations, beyond the traditional classroom.
Ways of supporting us
Transparency
Discover more about our annual achievements. Each year, we reach new milestones thanks to our dedicated team, sponsors, volunteers, and donations. Explore our latest advancements, partnerships and see how we are positively impacting the education of Guatemalan children.
- 315 Empire Blvd PO Box 250083 Brooklyn, NY 11225 USA
- EIN 45-5253062
Of children transitioning to secondary.
Inclusion. Classrooms with 54% women and 46% men
Families benefitted.
Students in the school year 2025.
Educational Centers.
Two elementary schools and one high school.
Social Development Goals
In our Project Proposal, we referred to the following SDGs:
1
No Poverty
End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
2
Zero Hunger
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
3
Good Health and Well Being
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at al ages.
4
Quality Education
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learing opportunities for all.
5
Gender Equality
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
7
Reduced Inequalities
Reduce inequality within and among countries.
From our graduates
continued with our 1-year Hospitality Certification program
have continued with university studies
have continued with some technical study
are working (maybe concurrent while studying other studies)
Our organization
Board of Directors:
Tony Wright, President Jill Bigelow, Treasurer Lucy O'flaherty, Secretary
Rebecca Malkin
Norah Austin
Kurt Sippel Madelyn Allor
US Tax ID number:
45 525 3062
Contact:
Mailing Address:
315 Empire Blvd PO Box 250083 Brooklyn, NY 11225
