A NOTE FROM PAULA BOHLAND

As many of you are aware, four years ago there was a management change at La Escuela Integrada. During the change of management, Guatemalan Relief Assistance for Children’s Educational Services (GRACES) was formed as the US based not-for-profit organization that would support the school. Since receiving our charter, we have not taken our hearts or eyes off our mission — to provide education, food, medicine and social opportunities to the poorest Guatemalan children and adolescents.

With a clear focus on the mission of our organization and the needs of the school, we are developing supportive partnerships, providing better nutrition, excellent learning environments and opportunities, and, most importantly, showing the children, their families and staff the true meaning of God’s love. We know that each year of education, good nutrition and support provides exponential hope and positively impacts the lives of children living in severe poverty.

During the 2016 school year, we all experienced the amazing results of the positive path that we are walking together. Staff members are more content, relationships between the children and their sponsors are growing, the families are obtaining important tools for a better quality of life such as stoves and clean drinking water and, the finances are becoming sustainable. This path is creating better and new horizons such as planning for a new school, assisting more children and developing sustainability plans so that the school, children and families are active participants in the provision of hope and God’s love in Guatemala.

I am honored to hold the title of Executive Director for GRACES and present the results of our work and partnerships during the past year.

God’s Blessings,

Paula Bohland
Executive Director
Guatemalan Relief Assistance for Children’s Educational Services