Zona 13 Girlstown, Villa de las Niñas
Guatemala
School Facts
Year Opened : 1998
Capacity : 1000
Sisters onsite : 13
Teachers onsite : 29
In 1998, the Sisters accepted the first group of students — boys and girls — at the newly constructed Children’s Village in Guatemala. Now at Zona 13 the Sisters can welcome 1,000 young girls and dramatically change the trajectory of their lives.
At Zona 13, girls aged 11-18 are given the opportunity to receive education and vocational training. In their classes they learn English, social studies, math, chemistry, physics, biology, arts, music, and PE. The girls also study business administration and bookkeeping, dressmaking, computer maintenance and electronics in order to open up job opportunities for the students after they finish school.
The girls at Zona 13 are not just given an education but also a safe space to flourish as children. They make friends, play sports and take part in a variety of hobbies and pastimes including football, basketball, hockey, dance, and choir.
In 2008 the Sisters of Mary established a daycare center located close to the girls school. This center gives children aged 3-5 a safe place to play and learn while their parents are at work. There is also a medical center on site to support the girls as well as the local community.
All of this is only possible through the generosity of people like you. Every child deserves a good start in life and with your help we can continue to make this a reality.
