FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
One More Child Strengthens Global Partnerships in Latin America
Faith leaders train and prepare to serve more vulnerable children and families across Latin America
GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala – Leaders from One More Child and ministry partners representing seven countries throughout Latin America recently gathered in Guatemala City, Guatemala for an impactful three-day event focusing on training, encouragement and fellowship to better serve vulnerable children and families throughout the region.
The gathering was hosted by the Alianza Cristiana para los Huérfanos (ACH), the Latin American branch of the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), an organization dedicated to raising awareness and equipping faith leaders to care for at-risk populations.
The event brought together child welfare advocates, faith leaders, and social service professionals from across the region to share best practices and strengthen collaborative efforts as they continue to minster in places combatting high levels of poverty, child hunger and human trafficking. For example, according to a 2024 UNICEF report, 64 percent of children on Guatemala live in poverty, and 20 percent experience extreme poverty.
One More Child’s Latin American ministries currently operate in Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Peru, Colombia, Haiti and the Dominican Republic where they develop and implement nutrition programs, community development projects, and child sponsorship programs.
During the event, One More Child President & CEO Stephen Robert along with other leaders met with Guatemalan Judge José Alfredo Aguilar Orellana, who serves as president for the Court of Femicide. The discussion centered on ways they can work together to address the complex challenges facing vulnerable populations, particularly women and children at risk.
“These relationships are essential for creating lasting change in the lives of vulnerable children and families,” said Robert. “When leaders across the region join together to pray, plan and learn alongside each other, it strengthens our capability to reach more in the name of Christ.”
The training focused on a variety of topics and best practices including how to help children recover from trauma, safer social media and how to minister to children with special needs. One More Child’s Guatemala Nation Director Alejandra Búrbano and Executive Director of Global Programs Alan Andrews led a special session on the need and steps to create a child protection policy.
One More Child’s work in the region is ongoing. A critical way to provide children with access to clean water, food, medical care and education is through One More Child’s Child Sponsorship Program. In coordination with ministry partners in multiple countries, individuals and churches are invited to sponsor a child (or multiple children) which helps meet needs in direct and tangible ways.
One More Child also leads short-term mission trips throughout the year. Volunteers serve in a variety of ways such as assisting with food distribution, building homes for impoverished families, leading VBS at a local church, teaching Bible stories through sports and crafts and other projects. Those interested in going on a short-term mission trip to work alongside One More Child’s global partners can get more information at https://onemorechild.org/mission-trips.
About One More Child:
One More Child operates in 26 states and 19 countries around the world, meeting the needs of foster children, hungry children, single moms, struggling families, and sex-trafficked children and teens. In 2023, One More Child provided direct services to 250,259 children and individuals while impacting an additional 143,334 individuals through advocacy, trainings, awareness and volunteering. One More Child provided more than 19 million meals nationally and globally. For more information visit www.onemorechild.org.
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One More Child Global team members gather alongside ministry partners from multiple Latin American countries for a three-day event focusing on training, encouragement and fellowship to better serve vulnerable children and families throughout the region.
One More Child President & CEO Stephen Robert along with other leaders met with Guatemalan Judge José Alfredo Aguilar Orellana, who serves as president for the Court of Femicide. The discussion centered on ways they can work together to address the complex challenges facing vulnerable populations, particularly women and children at risk