Vida schools are the foundation of our ministry, and provide academics, health care, nutrition, a loving community, and an introduction to God’s faithfulness for children in Guatemala
Impact Ministries serves over 1800 students in 12 school programs running out of 6 school facilities, providing pre-kinder through high school education in Guatemala
Our Schools
Agua de Vida Chijulhá School
Agua de Vida Chijulhá is our newest school in Guatemala! “Agua de Vida” means Water of Life, and this school in Chijulhá is bringing living water to the community
Location
Chijulhá, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala
Grades
Kindergarten to Grade 7
Grades 8 to 9 (Jr High)
Classes will continue to be added until Agua de Vida Chijulhá provides education up to grade 10. After completing grade 10, students who wish to enter Teacher Training attend Vida Chijacorral High School, while others may study through the Vida Extension Program
Principal
AM: Esvin Abel
PM: Esvin Abel
Operating since
AM: 2018
PM: 2023
Need
Guatemalan children from five surrounding communities are attending school here close to their home and thus, learning to read and write, and to seek God every day.
We are thankful for the opportunity to see the ministry of the Lord grow. This is our fastest-growing school in Guatemala, with a mission to bring the word of truth, to bring life and spiritual healing to the communities near the school.
Vida Chamché School
Vida Chamché, our original school in Guatemala, has been the focus for many short-term mission teams over the years
Location
Tactic, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala
Grades
Pre-kinder to Grade 7
After completing grade 7, most continuing students attend Junior High at Vida Chijacorral or through the Vida Extension Program
Principal
AM: Juan Carlos Milián
PM: Ingrid Lem
Operating since
AM: 1993
PM: 2013
Need
Many of the children at Vida Chamché come from families with difficult home lives. A lot of the parents don’t have permanent work and many of them are not Christians. Our desire is that the students and teachers would continue to learn more about the Lord, that they will become leaders with the fear of God in their hearts, bringing the love of God to their families.
Vida Chijacorral School
The Chijacorral site in central Tactic is the host location for the medical clinic and for our teacher training senior high program
Location
Tactic, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala
Grades
AM: Pre-kinder to Grade 7
PM: Grades 8 to 10 (Jr High) & Grades 11 to 13 (Sr High Teacher Training Program)
Weekend Extension Program
Principal
AM: Yesmi Chén
PM: Evelyn Donis
Operating since
2009
Need
The Chijacorral property was donated to Impact Ministries because the community wanted to have a Christian School on this side of town. Our original Tactic school in Chamché was overflowing with no room left to build on. Very quickly the classrooms in this second school in Tactic filled up.
There is a definite hunger for more of God and a better education for the children in this community.
Vida Mocohán School
God is doing a beautiful work in Guatemala through Vida Mocohán
Location
Mocohán, Baja Verapaz, Guatemala
Grades
AM: Pre-kinder to Grade 7
PM: Grades 8 to 10 (Jr High)
Weekend Extension Program
After completing grade 10, students who wish to enter Teacher Training attend Vida Chijacorral High School, while others may study through the Vida Extension Program
Principal
AM: Ignacio Toc
PM: Ignacio Toc
Operating since
AM: 2007
PM: 2014
Need
The community of Mocohán, nestled between Chicoy and Purulhá, has over 1,000 school-age children and yet only one small public school. This village is suffering in many ways and it has serious educational deficiencies. Impact Ministries was given a piece of property by the community council and invited to open a school project.
We see God changing the lives of many Guatemalan families in this community. Students are learning to seek God. Bible memorization is a priority and lives are being changed. There is a feeling of love and peace among the students and teachers. They are very thankful for everything that God is providing them through the school.
Vida Nueva School
The communities of Villa Nueva and Tierra Linda are being transformed by Vida Nueva School
Location
Villa Nueva, Baja Verapaz, Guatemala
Grades
Kindergarten to Grade 7
After completing grade 7, most continuing students will attend Junior High at Vida Purulhá or through the Vida Extension Program
Principal
Oscar Max
Operating since
2014
Need
The people in these mountain villages opened their hearts to Impact Ministries and to the Lord with an offer of property, resulting in the formation Vida Nueva.
As the children learn to worship, study God’s Word and put their faith in Him, these communities are being transformed for the Lord.
Vida Purulhá School
There are not enough schools in Purulhá to serve the many thousands of children – Vida Purulhá is helping more Guatemalan students be in school
Location
Purulhá, Baja Verapaz, Guatemala
Grades
AM: Pre-kinder to Grade 7
PM: Grades 8 to 10 (Jr High)
After completing grade 10, students who wish to enter Teacher Training attend Chijacorral High School, while others may study through the Vida Extension Program
Principal
AM: Victor Toc
PM: Glenda Mó
Operating since
2007
Need
Purulhá is a community 25-minutes southeast of Tactic, and there are not enough schools in this community to serve the many thousands of children. The municipality of Purulhá donated the land to Impact Ministries for the construction and operation of this school.
Most of these children come from needy and broken homes. Our hope and goal is to raise them up to be leaders who serve Him and influence the community around them.
Vida Extension Program
The Vida Extension Program allows students to work during the day, and study evenings and weekends
Location
Vida Chijacorral Campus
Vida Mocohán Campus
Programs
Accelerated Elementary
Jr High
Sr High Accounting
Sr High Secretary & Administrative Clerk
Sr High University Entrance
Principal
Jaime Cho
Operating since
2021
Need
Many Guatemalan families are living in “survival mode” and there is pressure for students to discontinue their studies to begin working, especially after they complete elementary school. This distance learning program takes place primarily evenings and on weekends, enabling students to work while they are studying. It also provides additional program options for senior high students.
Students attend campus on Saturdays for devotionals, tutorials, and access to computer labs, and can also contact their teachers during the week for help with lessons. Impact partners with the América Latino for the distance education component, while providing local teachers to support and disciple the Vida Extension students.
Why Schools in Guatemala?
In the rural areas around Tactic, more than 80 percent of the adults are illiterate, leaving them disenfranchised and isolated. Many Guatemalan parents don’t understand the value of education and prefer to put their children to work, to help earn money to sustain the family. Often these children have never held a pencil or crayon in their hand.
At Vida schools, Christian teachers – many of whom were once Vida students themselves – are personally involved in our students’ lives, helping to fulfill the mission of training Guatemalans for leadership.
The teachers and support staff provide godly role models and help the children know the Lord and become all He intends for them to be. Students participate in a daily devotional where they worship the Lord and lift their voices in prayer for their sponsors and for the healing of their families and communities. They receive a full academic education and a warm nutritious meal each day. Even our Weekend Extension Program students participate in weekly devotions and receive grocery packages for their families.
Christ is changing lives in Guatemala as our students and their families learn to love Jesus Christ and worship the Lord. The fruit of this work has become evident as graduating students are emerging as Christian leaders in their communities.
