Our main ministry is our JK-12 school in Pastores, Sacatepéquez, called Colegio Cristiano Avivando el Fuego (Fanning the Flame Christian School). We have an enrolment of more than 300 students each year, with rigorous academic standards, high scoring on standardized testing and graduating programs in Accounting, Graphic Design, Secretarial Skills and Early Childhood Education.
More than that, though, our school is guided by a unifying vision which informs each aspect of our work.
That the students of CCAF would acquire a deep knowledge of the love of Jesus Christ and His word, establishing a personal relationship with Him, and that they would be worshippers in spirit and in truth, living under the direction of the Holy Spirit, using the word of God as a guide in their lives. Having a clear identity in Christ that distinguishes them from the multitude and leads them to live a revolutionary life in their community, developing an academic excellence that allows them to overcome any social standard.
Throughout Guatemala, schools are underfunded. Many schools operate without books, teaching literacy through phonetics and rote learning. Without accountability, teachers under-prepare or sometimes don’t even show up to school.
At CCAF, students receive a quality education. We have libraries at each school, stocked with books from generous donors. We teach literacy through reading, promoting critical thinking. Our teachers are held accountable for the learning in their classrooms, and teach passionately with the student in mind.
Private schools promote themselves as an answer to the problems of the public school, but bullying and isolation persist there. What’s more, the high cost keeps out all but the wealthiest families.
At CCAF, finances are not an obstacle to receiving quality education. We provide scholarships to offset tuition costs, and can keep costs low thanks to student sponsors and teacher partners who give monthly towards the work at CCAF. If a family can’t afford to attend, we work with parents to ensure that each child receives the quality education they deserve.
In Guatemala, education is undervalued. Public schools are overcrowded, and students can get lost or bullied. There’s no vision, no reason for students to persevere when they struggle in an underfunded system.
At CCAF, our faith is our core curriculum. Students are invited into a relationship with Christ and given a reason to persevere. Each lesson is grounded in Scripture so that students learn the Bible can guide them in every area of their life. They understand that the Holy Spirit is ever present, whether that’s in Math class or recess or English class.
Our school pastor, Jervin, tells this story about how it was difficult for him to go to school as a student: his desk seat was cold, his teacher would start right in with Math, and his spirits were low.
At CCAF, we start the day right. Students connect with their teacher, then join the school body for daily devotions. We worship, pray and commit our day to the Lord. We hug our students freely. We let Him lead us in ministry, encouraging our students and helping them to surrender their difficulties to God. We provide breakfast for our youngest students, ensuring that every student has what they need to start their day on the right foot.
Lisseth is one of our teachers who is integral to fulfilling this vision. Learn more about her impact and how to partner with her ministry here.
Vision Partners invest in the long-term work of Christ-centred education and transformation in Guatemala, giving a monthly gift of any amount to the work of Global Shore. Learn more here.