Today was a special day for the children of Santa Faz, Guatemala City, as they welcomed Nikki, a volunteer basketball trainer from Los Angeles. Nikki and her two sons had decided to spend part of their visit to Guatemala offering a day of engaging activities focused on teaching and enhancing basketball skills for the young locals.
Although schools in Guatemala have not yet reopened for 2025, the sights and sounds of children playing in the local parks of Santa Faz were noticeably absent.
Regrettably, the past year has seen a troubling increase in violence, prompting many parents to keep their children confined within the safety of their tin shacks, thereby depriving them of the simple joys of playing freely with friends. Nikki's visit, however, provided a brief but welcome respite, offering the children a rare chance to learn, play, and simply be kids outside their usual confines.
It is a sobering reality that by the age of five, most children in Santa Faz have witnessed at least 20 murders or their aftermath. Just last week, three people were shot dead in the streets, with one incident occurring right outside the SKDGuatemala mentoring centre.
In this context, the basketball activity organised by Nikki served as a much-needed escape for the children. With support from the SKDGuatemala team at CasaClub, Santa Faz, the event created unforgettable memories for all who participated, offering a glimmer of normalcy and joy amid their challenging circumstances.
Never underestimate the power we each hold to transform a child's life.
Thank you, Nikki, Tre, and Drew, for your kindness and dedication; it has brought happiness to countless children. WATCH THE VIDEO!
