Finding Inspiration in Every Turn

Caras Alegres is a non-governmental organization based in Zone 5 of the department of Quetzaltenango. Founded in 2004 by Judith Bank and Marcel Van der Geest, the organization initially operated from a rented house in the neighborhood. By 2006, they moved to a classroom provided by the Street School (EDELAC) for five years. In 2010, Caras Alegres relocated to its own building with concrete and sheet roofs. The facility includes spaces for kindergartens, a multipurpose room, kindergarten classrooms, and workshops for mothers.

The organization features a large kitchen for preparing children's meals, spacious bathrooms suitable for children, an administrative office, and a psychology clinic offering psychotherapeutic services to children and families. The courtyard serves as a recreational area where children engage in various activities.

Caras Alegres operates two shifts: in the morning, they cater to kindergarten and early childhood education, while in the afternoon, children from Canton Xeúl and Barrio las Rosas attend craft workshops, sports activities, and receive academic support through tutorials. The Camino a la Independencia project serves mothers in the afternoons by providing vocational training in areas such as tailoring, crafts, jewelry making, cooking, and baking, aimed at fostering labor inclusion.

Financial support for Caras Alegres comes from a central office located in Holland, as well as donations and volunteer efforts from abroad.