After ten incredible years in El Centro — the first mentoring centre we opened in Guatemala City — we will sadly be closing its doors later this month.

We are very thankful to the building’s owners, who so generously loaned it to us in 2015 to begin our mentoring programme and outreach in La Terminal.

We are deeply grateful for the decade of ministry and transformation that has taken place within those walls. Hundreds of street-living and high-risk children have found hope, safety, and friendship there.

Looking ahead, we are exploring new ways to continue the daily outreach in La Terminal and to offer children a safe space to learn, play, and grow.

We are excited that the Centro Opp Mentoring Centre has now reopened its doors, made possible through the generosity of Dr. Darold and Pamela Opp, who have also provided funds to purchase a minibus to transport children to and from the centre.

We’ll keep you updated as the new centre prepares for an exciting season ahead, including the much-anticipated Christmas parties and Christmas meals for the children.

Centro Opp will receive a VIP visit on Saturday, the 15th of November!

(SOME PHOTOS BELOW OF THE EARLY DAYS OF EL CENTRO 2015)

Many thanks to Brooke Castree, who helped raise £658.00 for Street Kids Direct by hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro recently.

We asked Brooke to let us know how it went.  Here is her report in her own words:

"I did a 7-day hike of Mount Kilimanjaro. As well as being a pretty hard physical challenge, I would say it was one of the biggest mental challenges I’ve ever had to face.

On day 1 we got downpoured, it was cold and when we got to camp everything was wet.

Waking up on day 2 was hard - it was a short hike but very steep, and my belongings were still all wet so it was quite a miserable start to the day. We also got rained on towards the end of our hike on this day so it was cold and wet.

It was a struggle to tell myself that it was okay and that I should keep going, but luckily, the team I was able to face this challenge with helped me not to give up. Sadly, I didn’t make it to the summit. When I started hiking that day, a cold I had previously had moved to my chest, which started affecting my heart.

At around 5000m above sea level, I had to turn around and return to base camp.

Even though I didn't complete the mountain, it was one of the best experiences, and it just gives me a reason to go again."

THANK YOU, Brooke, and to those who walked with you and to everyone who donated.

You can still donate on the Street Kids Direct website or via Brooke´s fundraising page.