Brillo de Sol is full of light, love, happiness and compassion.It is one of the very few non porfits that work with special need children.There is so much love given to each indivudal child and just by going and visit the project you feel that right in your heart.I am glad that as a donor through my organisation Uno Más, a lot of people now about the project and are happy to give for better and special education in Brillo de Sol.Each teacher is very dedicated and Letty, the director, is the star.
Having volunteered at Brillo de Sol for the past 6 years, I have had the joy of watching these kids develop into confident outgoing individuals. To witness their positive changes and personal growth has been amazing.
Eddie Dodge
This is a wonderful nonprofit organization, run by caring and driven people who strive to make a positive difference in the world.
Brillo de Sol does incredibly important work. I've supported their efforts because I believe in what they do.
This non-profit is supporting a school in Guatemala where all children, including those with challenges, are educated. I'm proud to be a sponsor, supporting a student so he can attend school. http://brillodesol.org/Espanol/our-students/
We visited the school in Guatemala, what they did was amazing. Coming from the UK, where money for this type of school comes from the government, you realise what a challenge it is to open and keep this school running. It is modest compared to UK standards in terms of building and facillities. But, the children look so happy in the pictures (we arrived after School finished). Beautiful murals on the wall, an outside area with play things that used initiative as no purpose built play apparatus such as in UK.
Lettie's and the staff office also doubled up as the library and toy store. They do fantastic work for these deserving children whom the government don't support as is a non mainstream school and possibly not enough money to go around for all types of schools.
This had a lasting effect on me, and I support the school financially monthly.
I was able to visit Brillo De Sol in person last summer (2016) and work with their amazing students for an afternoon. It is a remarkably special place - in a country that has very primitive attitudes toward special needs education, their pioneer Principal, Letty, told me that these students all learn in different ways, in their own time and need to be nurtured accordingly. Her passion and commitment were astounding and she has helped create a creative, nurturing learning environment. There is a dog (school pet) and a 'thinking corner' and it's all very bright and cheerful; all on extremely limited resources. All students pay some sort of tuition, although many are from poor families and only pay what they can afford, perhaps a couple dollars a month. It costs about $60 a month to fully fund a student at Brillo De Sol and I'm very happy to be helping a current student. This is a small place - with huge ambition for its students; and, I'm so happy to play a small role in supporting their valiant work.
As soon as you enter the school, it becomes obvious how special a place that Brillo really is.
Letty, Dianita, and Evelyn...these 3 women work tirelessly for Brillo and the children....and its obvious that the children adore them. This loving attitude is present in all of the staff and children. The mission is for the children to be happy, and both the children and adults at Brillo embody this; everyone smiles, acts with kindness, and takes care of each other. It is a beautiful place, doing amazing work to empower and improve the lives of the children and families involved.
Brillo de Sol does exceptional work with exceptional children. The staff genuinely cares about every child, giving them loving, personal attention; carefully assessing their needs; and finding ways to reveal each child's abilities and help them to succeed. Guatemala desperately needs more schools and programs like Brillo de Sol.
In a land where physically and mentally children are shunned, Brillo de Sol shines! It's staff is dedicated to giving each and every child the attention they need to adjust themselves to the world around them and they are given a chance to become a productive part of that world.
Sponsor a child or a program to help Brillo de Sol become an even greater asset to these children, their families and the community! With increased funding they can become 5 Star!
Christiane D. 08/02/2017
Thank you, "Writer"! We would love to know who you are? :)
Brillo de Sol is a Guatemalan run NGO that brings education to children with special needs that are not accepted into public schools. The team of teachers and directors are mostly women with families and work extremely hard to improve the future of local children and their country in the long-term. I loved working with Brillo de Sol mostly for this reason, the Guatemalan female leadership. The idea for the school came from a local woman seeing a need in her community and acting on it. Through foreign and local support, the school continues to grow and educate more students each year. They understand the need for sustainability and local support and are working each year towards that goal. It is a great organization that fills a strong void in the community.
-Kamille Barry, Former Volunteer and Board Member
From the moment I saw the children at Brillo de Sol, I knew there was something special about this little school. The way the children looked out for and took care of each other, often putting the well being of their mates above their own self-interest impressed me to no end. Once I got to know Brillo de Sol better, I learned that from day one, each child is instilled with the values of embracing differences, unconditional love and acceptance, and that every person, no matter what their situation, is of immense potential and has much to give.
Brillo de Sol serves children with a wide range of learning and other disabilities. There are no schools for special needs children in the Guatemalan public education system, and Brillo de Sol changes the lives of these under-served kids who might otherwise be forgotten.
As a volunteer and board member, I have come to know first hand just how dedicated the staff and teachers are to these children. I've had parents tell of where almost gave up hope, they have seen miraculous progress and changes in their children. Some of the children tell of finally feeling safe and loved after enduring ridicule, isolation and verbal abuse in public school. The staff focuses on the strengths of each child. Ever conscious of how special needs children can be quite brilliant but learn differently, they tailor the program to the needs of the individual child. Volunteers supplement this by providing one-on-one tutoring and assistance.
Many of the children come from backgrounds of extreme poverty; Sponsorship makes it possible for them to get an education and provides them a chance in life.
This US based organization supports a school for children with disabilities in San Gaspar, Guatemala with fundraising, educational, and organizational assistance. The school provides opportunities for Spanish speaking volunteers, and welcomes volunteer contributions to committees and board of directors in the US. Join us!
Comments ( 1 )
Christiane D. 08/02/2017 Thank you so much for your outstanding support for Brillo de Sol, Ana-Maria and Uno Más!