• We continue to use some aspects of the Montessori method. We have integrated work-play areas according to the Guatemalan National Curricula for pre-primary school.
• Our students attend classes from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• The center provides physical education, music, computers, and reading classes. Teachers sing in English and teach children basic English vocabulary. Our students receive education in nutrition and practice by bringing healthy snacks from home.
• Our teachers are in constant contact with the children’s parents. Every two months, parents attend workshops about important issues concerning their child’s education and growth. Our parents also assist with special activities at CEDIN.
• The teachers create an atmosphere of respect, discipline, and care, and model good attitudes and behavior to the children.
• During the school year, CEDIN hosts several celebrations involving children, parents, and community members.
• Our teachers are studying early childhood education at the university.
• We have 115 children in three grades.
• We offer scholarships for disadvantaged families.

In the 1980s and 1990s, women were left alone as men went off to work in the El Tejar factories. Small children sat next to their mothers as they sold on the market or washed clothes. One day a tragedy happened.  Two small children left home alone and crossed the Interamericana road to buy a kite. On the way back, the older brother was hit by a car. He received help immediately, but because of his young age, malnutrition, and multiple injuries, he didn´t survive. It became clear that the community needed safe day care for small children. Nancy, along with a group of women, developed plans for a daycare center that would offer adequate nutrition and quality education for young children.

With the support of FONAPAZ (Peace Fund) and El Tejar Municipality, the construction of the center was finished in 1997. Initially, nine 3-6-year-old children of working or single mothers were enrolled in CEDIN.

The program targeted three important elements of children’s development: nutrition, health, and education. Inside the classrooms, the Montessori method and materials offered the children stimulation in different teaching and learning areas. Nancy offered English classes as well.

From 1998-2012, Hogares Comunitarios, a social program coordinated by the Secretary of Social Work of the Wife of the President of Guatemala sponsored a food program for CEDIN.  Since then the center has functioned as a pre-primary school.

Mabelyn Daneyli Feliciana is five years old and lives with her mother, father, and four siblings. Her father is diabetic. Sometimes he experiences severe pain and is unable to work. Mabelyn´s brothers (ages 17, 20, and 23) are maintaining the family and buying medicine needed for their dad. The family doesn´t have their own house; they rent a flat with two bedrooms. There was no money for the older brothers to study in high school.

Mabelyn’s 13-year-old sister is in the second grade of secondary school thanks to a FUNDIT scholarship. Mabelyn smiles a lot, likes to do her homework, and learns quickly. She receives a lot of support from her mother, who radiates respect, responsibility, humility, and honesty to her daughter. Mabelyn loves drawing with markers and works hard to complete every task in the classroom. She loves sports activities. Mabelyn has been underweight, and she is affected by her father’s health issues. She receives support from one of her neighbors, Daniel. Thanks to him, she is studying in CEDIN. Mabelyn wants to be a teacher when she grows up.

Rene is six years old and lives with his parents and two older sisters. Since he was little, he has been continuously ill. He suffers from respiratory issues, microcephaly, and visual problems. His father works and his mother is responsible for taking him to occupational therapy, ophthalmological examinations, and to the psychologist. Rene´s father is very active in his children’s education at home. Rene enjoys completing his tasks at school. He likes singing and dancing, but his favorite free time activity is football. He says he wants to be a professional football player. His mother says that in spite of health difficulties, Rene is making huge progress.

Ángel Gabriel is four years old and lives with his parents and four older siblings. The oldest sister is 18 and is studying early childhood education. She helps all four children with their homework, as her mother is illiterate. That is why their mother takes care of all the children, prepares food, cleans and tries to meet the children’s needs. Angel´s father is working hard to support his family. However, because of his job he spends only one week per month at home.

Angel is a happy child. He follows his teacher’s instructions, and says he likes singing, dancing, participating in sports activities, computer classes, and reading. He is very attentive and loves when someone is taking pictures. He normally uses gestures to indicate what he needs, so his teachers are using different methods to stimulate his speech.

Dayanara is six years old and is studying in the last grade of CEDIN. She lives with her mother, father, and four sisters in a two-room flat that floods when the rain is heavy. Her father maintains the family; he works in a factory and on the weekends in a bakery, as his main job does not provide enough income for the family’s needs. They have put a lot of effort into constructing their little flat, but the space is small so the girls are unable to play. Dayanara´s parents give her a lot of love, care, and attention. They help her with her homework as well. Dayanara likes studying in CEDIN. She is a fast learner, does all the tasks with dedication, and is respectful and sharing with her peers. She likes working with Montessori materials from her classroom and enjoys reading, music education, and mathematics. She wants to be a teacher when she grows up.

Jorge Ednaider is five years old. He lives with his mother and grandmother, and they are experiencing a difficult economic situation. His mother is maintaining the three of them, and she has no formal job. She receives no support from Jorge´s father. Jorge is studying in the 5 year old class. He has some learning difficulties as a result of a difficult family situation. His father is not present in his life and it has influenced his intellectual development a lot. However, Jorge tries hard when doing his homework, and he is respectful with his classmates and teachers. He likes dancing, singing, and drawing. When he grows up, he wants to help his mother by working as a bus driver.

Arleny is 22 years old. She started primary school at CEDIN when she was six years old. She was an excellent student during her primary education and one of the top students at Leonidas Mencos Avila, the best secondary school in the Chimaltenango department, where she received a governmental scholarship. She then graduated from college with a computer sciences degree. She knew she wanted to help other people since she was little; her vocation was to serve the community.

“When she was a little girl, she was always drawing body parts. We knew she would be a doctor,” says her mother. “I think that her education in CEDIN was crucial for her education. She developed curiosity, willingness to learn, and received an excellent base for primary school.

Arleny is now in her sixth year of general medicine studies at San Carlos University, doing her internship at Roosevelt Hospital. She wakes up very early, as she has to get to Guatemala City for her internship. She sometimes has night shifts and comes back home exhausted, but she loves what she does and is always trying to attend to her patients the best she can. After graduating general medicine next year, she wants to continue to study general surgery and then oncology.

Keylin Azucena is 13 years old. She studied three years at CEDIN. She was a very respectful and good student. She liked reading a lot. She lives with her mother, father, and a sister who also graduated from CEDIN. She studied at a primary school far away from her house, so she had to walk a long distance every day. She was recognized for her effort with a medal, as she was a very good student. Now she’s in her first year of middle school. Her father says that at his work his daughter received various rewards for the excellent grades she gathers. She is now receiving a scholarship that requires her to do social work. During the week she helps a girl with learning problems with her homework. Keylin is very grateful to her parents for supporting her always, and she would like to continue studying.