About Us
Embrace Child Sponsorship is a ministry of Servant Ministries that was founded in 2000 by Nancy Sheldon in response to the overwhelming problem of childhood malnutrition in the Camotán region of Guatemala. This region has one of the highest rates of child malnutrition in the country, and for more than 25 years, Embrace has been committed to improving the health and future of children and their families.
Each month, Embrace families gather to receive practical assistance and spiritual encouragement. Many parents and children travel several hours to attend the monthly distribution. Every family receives a food package containing approximately 50 pounds of essential items, including rice, beans, sugar, salt, powdered milk, soap, fresh fruits and vegetables, and other household necessities that vary throughout the year.
Distribution day is about much more than food. Children participate in a Bible lesson while parents receive practical teaching on topics such as nutrition, hygiene, food preparation, health, parenting, and farming. Throughout the year, families also benefit from quarterly birthday celebrations, annual school supplies, hygiene kits, and other special gifts at Christmas designed to encourage and strengthen the family.
Through the Servant Ministries Medical Clinic, every Embrace child receives regular health monitoring, vitamins, parasite treatments, and medications as needed. Medical and dental care are also available to family members for a minimal cost, helping improve the overall health of the entire household.
Four times each year, every child is weighed and measured to track their height, weight, and overall growth using the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards. These regular evaluations allow our staff to monitor each child’s nutritional progress, identify those needing additional intervention, and ensure that children are steadily moving toward a healthy weight and development.
Embrace Child Sponsorship
Since its beginning, Servant Ministries has helped approximately 1,000 children through the Embrace program. Children remain in
the program until they have regained and consistently maintained a healthy nutritional status or until their family’s circumstances have improved enough
that another child in need can take their place. Most children participate in the program for approximately three to five years.
The Embrace program began with just 29 children and today serves between 200 and 300 children at any given time. Our goal is not only to
meet immediate physical needs but also to provide hope through the love of Christ, equipping families with the tools, education, and encouragement they need to build a healthier future.
A child’s sponsorship is $50 per month, providing monthly food assistance, health monitoring, vitamins, parasite treatments, medications
as available, Bible teaching, educational programs, and many other benefits throughout the year.
Sponsors may also choose to add the optional $10 monthly Extra Protein Package, providing additional rice, black beans, and Protemás fortified
soy protein to help strengthen the child’s nutritional recovery.
Over the years, generous supporters have made it possible to provide many additional blessings to Embrace families. Every family has received a water filter, providing safe drinking water that greatly reduces waterborne illnesses. Other special projects have included Christmas family blessing packages, school supplies, hygiene kits, farming tools, latrines, blankets, hammocks, dishes, and custom-built Lorena stoves. These efficient stoves use approximately one-third less firewood while greatly reducing harmful smoke inside the home, creating a healthier environment for families.
If you would like to help give a child the opportunity for a healthier future, we invite you to visit our Sponsor a Child page and begin
making a lasting difference in the life of a child and their family.
Our Personnel
Nancy Sheldon
Founder // Director
Randy Pettinger
Embrace Communication Coordinator
Abner Jose
Coordinator Embrace Program
Join us in supporting the children of Guatemala! Sponsor A Child and a make a difference ONE LIFE AT A TIME!
What Sponsors Say
