Spring 2026

To the many who have cared,

It is customary for me to prepare written reports in advance of our Board of Directors' meetings. I send the report, a Word document, to board members via the Internet on the weekend before the meetings scheduled date. This is to give them time to review my report before we gather. nowadays on Zoom.

The intention is to save the considerable time it would take for me to give the report orally or have the Board review it during the course of the meeting. Having come to the meeting familiar with the report. board members prepare questions or observations in advance relating to content in need of clarification or discussion. I come to the meeting ready to respond to their questions and/or provide clarity and understanding, as needed.

The majority of the report centers on 'The State of the Program'. Included in that summation is a section focusing on the status of the program's residents. It seeks to keep board members abreast with the progress of each of our youths. while discussing whatever challenges one or more of them might be facing at the time of the meeting.

At the conclusion of the discussion concerning my report at the recent March meeting, one of the Board's members suggested that I craft this letter focused on the status of our residents. She observed that she had found the news uplifting and felt that you, our supporters, would find it uplifting as well. The idea caught me by surprise, but other members quickly concurred, leaving me to conclude that I had found a theme for the spring letter.

The report on the status of our residents follows. I have revised it slightly. Members of our board routinely receive updates on our youths and, as such, their knowledge of the youths' history and status is more extensive than that of the majority of our readers. Understanding this, I have filled in some of the gaps to provide needed context.

Current Program Residents:

Andy and Carlos began their first semester of studies at the University of San Carlos (USAC) in January, after having graduated from high school in November. Each of them seems to be enjoying university life, as their classes are conducted on campus. Virtual study is now delegated to an 'as needed' option and is rare. Carlos is studying systems engineering and his classes are held in the morning. Andy's classes are in the evening and he is studying sports psychology, intending to switch to forensic psychology in the second semester. The reason is a simple one. USAC is Guatemala's foremost public university. Demand far outstrips available spaces and prospective students must take and pass three levels of entrance exams before earning the right to attend classes. At the onset of the new year, Andy had failed to pass one of the required entrance exams needed to earn a place at USAC. The forensic psychology faculty did not offer one last chance to take and pass the exam, whereas the faculty at sports psychology did. Upon further investigating the situation, Andy learned that he could study sports psychology during the first semester then transfer the credits earned to forensics psychology for the second semester, thus avoiding the need to sit out the first semester. Needless to say, such an arrangement depended on Andy taking and passing the pending exam, which happily he did.

Agustin will begin taking classes in pursuit of his Master's Degree at mid-year. For some reason, USAC waits until that time to begin such classes. They are not offered in January. Giovany followed the same schedule in 2025. Agustin continues to work at the same accounting and auditing firm where he was employed in 2025. He completed one year of employment at the firm in late February. He is currently enjoying a break from the double duty of working and studying at the same time, but is eager to begin the pursuit of his Master's degree soon.

Giovany completed his first semester studying for a Master's degree at USAC in November, the same course that Agustin will begin in late June. He began his second semester in late January and continues to work fulltime in the auditing department at PriceSmart, a warehouse variety retail membership store. Not surprisingly, he is very busy - not to mention tired. This past July, he and a co-worker had the opportunity to spend one week in Jamaica, all expenses paid. The time was spent reviewing and auditing PriceSmart's accounts in that country. Although Giovany spent much of the week in Jamaica busy at work, he did have the opportunity to venture out some and enjoyed it very much. PriceSmart has tentatively planned to send Giovany to work in the Dominican Republic, also for one week, later this year. Giovany eagerly awaits the trip, cautiously hoping that such plans will ultimately come to fruition.

Romeo is well along in his senior year at high school and his second year at Only A Child. Romeo has adapted well to Colegio Didactico and, according to the school's coordinator of middle and high school, Miss Claudia, he remains well liked by both his teachers and classmates. At the end of the school year, seniors must complete a five-week internship at a business or institution which has registered with the Guatemalan government, qualifying them to offer the internships. The students and/or their parents must secure the location where they will complete the internship. Romeo has a pronounced stutter, leaving me concerned that it might serve as an obstacle towards his finding a position. I, therefore, recently asked Miss Claudia for suggestions and, without missing a beat, she responded. "Not to worry. Romeo can complete his internship here at Didactico." It seems likely that such a position is reserved for a very few selected students, and they are not randomly or routinely offered. Therefore, it speaks very well of Romeo that he was given such a position without hesitation. Also, Romeo began attending once weekly sessions with a speech therapist in early November to help him with his stutter. He showed noticeable improvement before leaving for the Christmas break. He seemed to regress during his time away. Luis Alfredo, our staff psychologist, spoke with the therapist about the setback and she has been working with Romeo to help him better solidify the progress he has made. Thus far, their combined efforts have proven to be beneficial.

Elmer, our newest resident who joined us in mid-January, is a junior in high school. He has proven to be a quick study and has adapted effortlessly both to his new home and new school. Not long after arriving, Elmer confided in Luis Alfredo that he liked the atmosphere within our home and enjoyed living within the program. Our residents have personal sponsors, who provide them with a monthly stipend. The stipends provide the residents with the means to cover personal expenses, such as clothing. toiletries and modest other purchases. In the initial letter to his sponsor. Elmer stated, "I would also like to tell you about my days living here. When I arrived. I did not know anyone. but everyone was kind and courteous from the moment they welcomed me. They have been showing me how they have been living together. I like that they are close and that you can always rely on one another." Not long ago, I was at Didactico paying Romeo's and Elmer's monthly tuition. Didaclico is an independent school, as public education is badly lacking and widely criticized. As I was leaving. I spotted Miss Claudia across a small courtyard. I waived to her as I approached the door to exit, but before I could leave. Claudia raised a finger in my direction to gesture that she wanted to speak with me. Claudia's motive was to tell me that Elmer's teachers had commented on Elmer's great intelligence. A level of intelligence that, as I understood, went beyond what one normally thinks of when considering someone intelligent. Back in January, I balked at offering a place to Elmer at OAC. My doubt concerned his grades. Throughout middle school they were low and unexceptional. Then Luis Alfredo informed me that Elmer's father is an alcoholic and, when intoxicated, given to being violent -- verbally, psychologically and physically. Luis Alfredo and I spoke of the situation and concluded that such a toxic home environment likely interfered with Elmer's ability to maximize his potential at school. This understanding compelled me to give Elmer a chance, hoping that his academic performance would improve while living in a healthier environment. Thankfully, Elmer's mother eventually sent her husband packing. Nevertheless. Elmer will need time and professional care to overcome the damage he suffered at the hands of his father. Hopefully, his time at Only A Child will prove helpful in this and other ways. Early indications suggest that my decision to take a chance on Elmer was a wise one.

Romeo and Elmer have become fast friends. They share the short, six block walk to and from school and can be seen happily chatting along the way. They stay in different rooms in our home, but when sharing common space and times, can often be seen horsing around as boys their age are prone to do. They very much enjoy each others company and have developed a close bond in the short amount of time they have been together.

Our Board of Directors has decided to forego holding a fundraiser this spring. Instead. we will hold our yearly fundraiser in the fall. on September 2l, 2026. The absence of holding an event this spring leaves us facing the prospect of a significant loss of income at this time, as the June 30 end of the fiscal year approaches.

I send this letter with a special appeal to you. Please consider donating now to help us meet our financial needs and goals. The process at the beginning of the program's 2026-2027 fiscal year in July is to prepare a budget that will anticipate expenses and income to ensure that our program continues to be able to provide for the education, housing and food for our youths. Please use the donation card enclosed, or you may donate through PayPal by visiting our website - www.onlyachild.org. Your gifts over the years have supported Only A Child in building secure futures for our young people. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

May God bless

George