In Guatemala, where half of students leave school by 6th grade, completing high school is a significant milestone. For Safe Passage, for many years, our goal and our dream for our students has been that they graduate high school and have access to decent jobs. Over the last two years, we have seen that our students aspire beyond what we thought possible and many are now entering university. We currently have 19 graduates in college and in December 2024, our first graduate officially completed medical school and residency, and became a doctor.  

As the dreams and abilities of our students evolve, so does Safe Passage. In 2025, we are expanding our ability to support students after high school through the generous support of three individual donors from Guatemala, Boston, and Germany. 

Oportunidades and Proximo Paso are Safe Passage’s educational reinforcement and career planning programs for high school students. With Guatemalan schools only operating half day, Oportunidades provides an additional half day of structured academic support and skill-building to ensure students have an immersive education experience that supports their future career and higher education goals. Through Oportunidades, students receive tutoring, English, intensive technology training, mental and physical health services, and nutrition. Through Proximo Paso, students receive career and college training and readiness, job experience and internships, mentoring, and leadership development. 

In 2025 we are building out an expansion of our current Oportunidades and Proximo Paso programs to intentionally cultivate an effective pathway for the many students demonstrating their interest and capacity to attend university. A case study, conducted by a former USAID evaluator, completed in 2024 interviewed 15 soon-to-be or recent graduates, and 11 expressed their desire to attend university. This is a marked change from just 2 years ago when very few students saw themselves as college-bound.

Oportunidades and Proximo Paso bridge the gap between academic achievement in high school and real-world success, ensuring our students are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

The profound impact of our work is perfectly captured in the stories of our graduates – each of their journeys is a testament to the transformative power of education, a glimpse into futures yet to unfold, and how our graduates can be agents of change for Guatemala.

Katerin Jazmín
Starting her journey at Safe Passage when she was just four years old, Katerin overcame significant challenges to graduate last year. She is now pursuing a degree in Political and Social Sciences at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala, with aspirations to open her own law firm and explore international law. Reflecting on her journey, she advises:

“Focus on your goals, have clear short- and long-term objectives, and take advantage of the opportunities Safe Passage offers. Learn from your teachers and the staff who support you.”

Paola
With dreams of becoming a graphic designer, Paola channels her creativity and resilience into every step of her educational journey. Her determination shines through in her words:

“I want to keep growing, stay resilient, and use my creativity to make an impact.”

Our model proves that holistic, intentional, high-quality educational opportunities nurture students to create their own pathways, and can prepare students to lead and inspire their own communities. This is transformational change. Every day, together we spark a ripple effect—each student goes on to influence others, with the shared goal of building a Guatemala where opportunities are within reach for all. The successes of graduates like Katerin Jazmín and Paola, and the many others who stand behind them, serve as powerful reminders that when education is made accessible and students are given the opportunity to build their own agency and path, we can open doors to endless possibilities.

At Safe Passage, in partnership with our teachers, students, families and global community, we face uncertainties head-on, and we are committed to guiding our students toward a just future.