Sports Training:

The primary focus of the ministry is to go deep with 30 boys using the method of competitive sports training and competition.  We have a 15-member JV team of "Rhinos" (ages 10-13) and a 15-member Varsity team of "Rhinos" (ages 14-17).  Most boys enter the academy around the age of 11 and graduate around the age of 17, giving them 5 to 6 in the program.  We believe this gives us ample time to work towards transformational change, and our prayer is that during these years the generational cycles of abuse related to poverty can be broken.  While at the academy the boys will participate in an intense and focused program combining highly-competitive sports, classroom education, devotionals, weight-training, hygiene, and nutrition.  Most importantly, we aim to teach the boys about following Jesus, respecting women, serving their community, and becoming loving husbands and fathers.

Especially for young boys, we believe sports are a powerful opportunity to teach about more important things.  The obvious areas related to sports are that of character, honesty, teamwork, and responsibility.  But more than that, we will take advantage of the time off the court – team meetings, devotions, group time, and time in our home – to grow closer with the kids, learn more about the depth of their needs, and in turn know how we can better help each individual.  In addition, it is in these moments where leading and teaching by example are critical.

While our focus on the 30 team members is where deeper issues can be addressed through relationship and trust, we also open the gym at various times throughout the year for open-leagues for kids of all ages.  Read more on that below under "Other Activities."

Education:

The facility includes an education center, used for tutoring students who attend school, and teaching reading/writing and basic skills to students who do not attend school.  We emphasize very strongly the importance of education, and believe an environment of quiet study time and guidance is a tremendous benefit to the boys.  Knowing the environment that most boys in Buena Vista are going home to, it is certain that time devoted to studying – with assistance and encouragement – is something they have never received before.

We will also take advantage of the friendship we have with the local school in Buena Vista, to work together in helping each boy reach their academic potential.

The BVSA "Kids4Kids" Training Table

Nutrition - Feeding Program:

Tortillas are the most common food source locally because it is the cheapest way to "fill up".  Sadly, for most of the boys in the academy this would be their breakfast, lunch, and dinner.      In fact, many of the boys do not eat anything until dinner, where they would then eat a few tortillas to "trick" their bodies into feeling full.  This is a common theme in all areas of poverty.

On February 6, 2012, we launched the Kids4Kids Training Table, where all 30 of our Rhinos will now be able to eat a large, nutritious lunch every day!  The name Kids4Kids is because the kids of Savannah Christian Church (Savannah, GA) are supporting this large project with their own weekly tithes.  Kids helping kids...  is there anything more beautiful than that?

In addition to the training table, we continue with our Clif Bar program.  For the varsity boys who train in the mornings, they will still eat a Clif Bar when they arrive, to prevent them from training on an empty stomach.  In addition, all 30 boys receive a Clif Bar on game days, to eat approximately 1 hour before the games to prevent headaches and throwing up from playing on an empty stomach.  An average Clif Bar has around 250 calories, 44g of carbs, 11g of protein, and is rated as "very high" in fiber, vit A, vit C, and vit E.

We do need help with this facet of the ministry, as there an ongoing as well as unexpected costs that come up regularly.  If you are interested in making a donations to help out, please be sure to note "nutrition" on your donation.  Thank you!

teaching the boys how to use the shower

Hygiene:

With a locker room equipped with showers, we have a unique opportunity to teach hygiene to the boys at the academy.  As is the case in most impoverished areas, hygiene is a huge problem in Buena Vista.  Most families do not have a shower or a bathroom, and the majority of our boys had never showered before coming to the boys academy (only splash-washed in an outdoor concrete sink).  

Since moving to Guatemala, we have helped countless people with medical needs, and unfortunately many of the situations that were treated could have been prevented with basic hygiene habits.  All of the boys in the program will learn how to take care of themselves, bathe with soap and shampoo, use deodorant, cut toenails, etc.  While it may sound simplistic, this is a very important facet of the ministry intended to teach important habits the boys will hold on to for the rest of their lives, and pass on their children.

walda teaching in the education center

Continued Education:

In Guatemala, 90% of children do not go to school beyond the 6th grade.  This is true because either the family cannot afford the uniforms and school supplies necessary to go on, or because the child must now work a full-time job to help support his/her family.  Either way, this is a statistic related to poverty.

For every boy enrolled in the Academy who shows reasonable potential academically, we will do all we can to sponsor them to go forward with their studies.  We work together with the DeepStream Education Program, headed up by our friends the Schmidt Family to help the boys continue beyond middle school.  And for the ones who show even more potential than that, we will pray for and seek to find individual sponsors to help them go to trade school or even to University.

We believe that helping the young men of this village further their education in ways that would not be possible otherwise, will help them lift the village out of the bondage of poverty that it is currently under.

12x12 jobsite

Vocational Training:

As the education program develops and grows, we will aim to provide specific skills training for the boys based on their education potential.  For those that may not realistically continue with formal studies, we will give them the opportunity to pick up a trade that otherwise would not be possible.  Most notably, we will use our own construction ministry (The 12x12 Love Project) and our own trusted full-time staff, to train the boys in the field of construction.  In addition, we would partner with existing friends in the community to teach skills in areas of painting, carpentry, and farming.  These training courses would include goals and certifications to strive for.