LUNA: A STORY OF PROGRESS…

Meet 3-year-old Luna who started at the Center in January. Luna lives with both parents: her father works as a kitchen assistant in a local restaurant and her mother stays home to care for Luna, her sister and is expecting a third child early next year in their small apartment. The family moved to Quetzaltenango from Cobán in search of better job opportunities and a better future for their family. Their economic resources are extremely limited.

Access to free, quality early education including nutritious meals, clean drinking water and regular health screenings have been crucial for Luna and her family. Luna suffers from several health problems and has not been able to attend consistently because of her poor health including coughs, colds, flu, dust allergies and skin reactions. Even when she is feeling well, rashes on her hands and body can restrict her fine motor skills, making it harder for her to use crayons, brushes or scissors. Luna loves to construct, create, paint and cut and is determined each day to keep trying. She is able to practice these skills with the help of our teachers and is given healthy meals and snacks to help her feel her best.

At the Center, Luna is often seen playing dress up, singing, dancing and building with blocks. She easily adapted to her group of classmates and loves to share and help. She has shown remarkable physical and cognitive growth, too, most notably with her speech and language. She’s been given a strong start to her education this year and with your continued support we look forward to watching her grow and thrive at the Center next year, too.