Our story
Our story
Sueños responds to education, language, and discrimination barriers faced by indigenous migrant families in Antigua Guatemala.
Our journey
Founded
Volunteer classes in Antigua's central park with street-vendor families
Camino a la Escuela
Legal registration and preschool prep program to support primary school enrollment
Sueños
Expanded to all ages with after-school tutoring, homework support, and daily meals
COVID-19
Pandemic disrupted access to education; many students fell behind
Direct education
Launched in-house preschool and elementary programs to address learning gaps
Growing
38 children, 21 families — learning, growing, and building new opportunities together
Where we work
Antigua Guatemala is a tourist hub located about one hour from Guatemala City. Many Indigenous families from rural departments have migrated to Antigua in search of better opportunities for themselves and their families. One of the largest migrant groups comes from the Mayan K'iche' community, primarily from the departments of Quiché, Totonicapán, and Sololá. Due to limited access to education and language barriers, many families work as street vendors in Antigua.
The Challenge
Education is not equally accessible to every child.
Because Antigua is largely non-Indigenous, children from these families face significant challenges when they begin school. Many experience discrimination in the classroom for dressing differently and speaking another language.
In Sacatepéquez, the department where Antigua is located, there are no schools that provide instruction in K'iche', despite many students speaking it as their first language due to migration from rural areas.
As a result, children must learn academic content while also learning a new language, which often leads to gaps in essential skills such as literacy and numeracy.
Combined with low levels of formal education among parents, many children fall behind in school without the support they need to succeed.
Sueños was created in response to this growing need for educational and social support within the community.
Our Story
Sueños began in 2014, when volunteers offered dance classes to children in Antigua's central park, building relationships with families working as street vendors.
In 2016, the initiative became Camino a la Escuela, focused on preparing preschool-aged children for primary school and supporting families through the enrollment process.
As community needs grew, the organization evolved. In 2018 it became Sueños, expanding its work to support children of all ages and their families through education — starting with after-school tutoring, homework help, and daily meals.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted access to education and many children fell behind. In response, Sueños began providing direct education in 2021 through preschool and elementary programs.
Today, Sueños continues to grow alongside its community, creating a space where children and families can learn, grow, and build new opportunities together.
Our principles
The values that guide every decision and program.
Purposeful education
Curriculum that blends national standards with indigenous cultural belonging.
Community & belonging
A safe space where street-vendor families find support, voice, and dignity.
Holistic care
Education, nutrition, and emotional wellbeing as one unified system, not separate services.
Transparency
Read annual reports 2020 - 2025
We publish progress reports, financials, and goals so partners and donors can see the real impact of their support.