As part of our commitment to providing a holistic approach to caring for the people we serve, we have partnered with trained Guatemalan professionals to offer services in our sponsored villages. This team will continue to grow, and this page will be updated as our team expands.

Partners in Guatemala

Nurse Elizabeth Joaquin

A graduate of Universidad Rafael Landívar in Guatemala, Glenda Elizabeth Espana Joaquin (28) brings dedicated care directly to our sponsored villages. In her role as in-country nurse, she conducts home visits, delivers primary healthcare, manages community health issues, and guides families in illness prevention. Elizabeth also supports visiting mission teams as they deliver vital care and medicines across our partner communities.

"I am deeply excited to put my profession and experience at the service of this mission. It fills me with joy to join a team that serves from the heart and to walk alongside you in helping more people." — Nurse Elizabeth

Víctor Manuel Ventura Santizo

A healthcare professional giving a thumbs-up gesture next to a woman lying on a medical chair, with her eyes closed. The healthcare worker is wearing blue scrubs, purple gloves, a face mask, and glasses. The woman is covered with a colorful, patterned blanket.

  • Dentist trained at the University of San Carlos, Guatemala. Married and father-to-be. I began working with Awakening Hope in 2023 and have been moved by the love that the team has shown the people of the village. At first, we were only able to perform evaluations and extractions for the children, but over the years we have been able to expand the services we can offer! It is very gratifying for me to be a part of each mission trip and to be able to use my skills to help others. Thank you to everyone who has made this work here in Guatemala possible.

  • Dentista de la Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. Casado y próximamente padre. Empecé a trabajar con Awakening Hope desde 2023 y quedé impresionado con el amor que el equipo tiene hacia las personas de la aldea, en ese entonces solo podíamos hacer evaluaciones y extracciones a los niños, pero a lo largo de los años hemos podido extender los servicios que podemos ofrecer a la gente! Es muy gratificante para mí el poder estar en cada viaje de misión y poder entregar mi talento para ayudar a otros y gracias a todos los que hacen posible este trabajo aquí en Guatemala.

Sandra Lisela De León Bonilla

Two women sitting and talking inside a room with pink walls and green patterned floor tiles. One woman, wearing glasses and a pink jacket, gestures with her hands. The other woman, with dark hair tied back with a pink scrunchie, listens attentively.

  • I am a music teacher; I work for an organization that gives music lessons to children as part of our after-school program. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology, and I am pursuing a Master’s degree in Criminology with a focus on forensic psychology. I am currently serving with Awakening Hope and Asociación Mission Firefly giving support and Chrstian-based counseling to families and individuals who need it. My experience serving with Awakening Hope and Asociación Mission Firefly has been very rewarding and full of blessings as I care for the families of the different communities where God has opened doors to serve.

  • Soy maestra de música, trabajo para uno organización dando clases de música a chicos que son parte del refuerzo escolar de dicha organización. Tengo un Pensum cerrado de licenciatura en psicología clínica, y estoy cursando una maestría en criminología con enfoque psicológico forense. Actualmente estoy sirviendo con Awakening Hope y Asociación Mission Firefly dando apoyo y terapias psicológicas a familias y personas individuales que lo necesitan. Mi experiencia sirviendo con Awakening Hope y Asociación Mission Firefly ha sido bastante grata y llena de bendiciones cuidando a las familias de las diferentes comunidades donde Dios ha abierto puertas para servir.