Testimonies: Hear our partners’ (and students’!) perspectives and insights on their experience working with us

From Fabian Sebastian Laguna Rodríguez, General Director at Hogar Luceros del Amanecer in Camoapa, Nicaragua

“Over the past two years, we have had the privilege of receiving support from the UNIDOS POR EL IDIOMA program, a wonderful initiative led by a school in Minnesota, United States. This program has opened a door to the world for our boys and girls at Hogar Luceros del Amanecer.

We would like to especially highlight the work of the young people Paige, Jonah, Emon, Bo, Jude, and Enzo, who have done truly outstanding work in coordinating, communicating, and organizing the classes. Each week, with commitment and enthusiasm, they make it possible to hold an online class where our children actively participate, learning not only a new language but also expanding their dreams and aspirations.

We have witnessed significant progress in their English learning. The children show greater confidence in expressing themselves, increased interest in continuing their studies, and a renewed motivation to improve themselves. This growth is not only academic; it also strengthens their self-esteem and their vision for the future.

On behalf of our organization’s leadership, we express our deepest gratitude for the great work you are doing with UNIDOS POR EL IDIOMA. Your dedication, consistency, and love for teaching are leaving an indelible mark on the lives of each and every one of our children. Thank you for walking alongside us and for believing in the potential of this generation”

  • “Durante los últimos dos años hemos tenido el privilegio de recibir el apoyo del programa UNIDOS POR EL IDIOMA, una hermosa iniciativa impulsada por una escuela de Minnesota, en los Estados Unidos. Este programa ha significado una puerta abierta al mundo para nuestros niños y niñas de Hogar Luceros del Amanecer.

    Queremos destacar de manera especial la labor de los jóvenes Enzo, Paige, Jonah, Emon, Bo, y Jude quienes han realizado un trabajo verdaderamente extraordinario en la coordinación, comunicación y organización de las clases. Cada semana, con compromiso y entusiasmo, hace posible que se imparta una clase en línea donde nuestros niños y niñas participan activamente, aprendiendo no solo un nuevo idioma, sino también ampliando sus sueños y aspiraciones.

    Hemos sido testigos del avance significativo en el aprendizaje del idioma inglés. Los niños muestran mayor seguridad al expresarse, más interés por continuar estudiando y una motivación renovada por superarse. Este crecimiento no es solamente académico; también fortalece su autoestima y su visión de futuro.

    En nombre de la Dirección de nuestra organización, expresamos nuestro más profundo agradecimiento por el gran trabajo que realiza con UNIDOS POR EL IDIOMA. Su dedicación, constancia y amor por la enseñanza están dejando una huella imborrable en la vida de cada uno de nuestros niños y niñas. Gracias por caminar junto a nosotros y por creer en el potencial de esta generación.”

From our students at La Muralla in Montevideo, Uruguay!

From Eleana Oleas Chavez, Academic Coordinator at the Felipe Costa von Buchwald School in Guayaquil, Ecuador

“The experience was enriching for both the students and the teachers, as they also learned how teachers from another country teach the language virtually, which will help them innovate their own classes.”

  • “La experiencia fue enriquecedora tanto para los estudiantes como para las maestras, pues ellas también aprendieron algo de cómo enseñan los maestros el idioma desde otro país virtualmente, lo cual les servirá para innovar sus clases."

From Claudia Daza, Senior Director of Programs for Powerful Children Colombia throughout Colombia

“Enzo has demonstrated exceptional leadership, initiative, and commitment through his work with Unidos Por El Idioma. Through our program in Cabrera, Colombia, he has connected deeply with the children, who genuinely enjoy his classes and feel motivated and engaged while learning. He is highly organized, responsible, and consistently prepared, ensuring each session runs smoothly. What truly sets him apart is his ability to tailor content so it is relevant, engaging, and easy to understand for children of different ages and English levels. His dedication has had a meaningful impact on the children’s confidence and enthusiasm for learning English. We are incredibly grateful for his support and proud to work alongside such a young and inspiring changemaker.”

From Mario Lumbi, Operations Manager at La Esperanza Granada in Granada, Nicaragua

“Our experience working with Unidos Por El Idioma was very positive and encouraging for our students. Although it was an online course and it wasn’t designed to be intensive, instead, it focused on practical language skills and building confidence, which made a real difference for our students.

What stood out most was the way the volunteers inspired the students. Through their consistent presence and supportive approach, they helped participants lose their fear of English and see it as something attainable. Because of that, all the students who took part felt motivated to keep developing their English even after the program ended.

That inspiration has had a lasting impact. Several of the participants are still actively improving their language skills today, and some are applying what they learned in their studies and in their roles within our programs. We’re truly grateful to Unidos Por El Idioma and the volunteers for sparking that motivation and opening a door that continues to grow beyond the sessions themselves.”

From Ms. Mayerly, English Assistant at the Felipe Costa von Buchwald School in Guayaquil, Ecuador

“The experience of the children who participated in the Unidos por el Idioma program was very positive and motivating. They really enjoyed receiving virtual English classes with native teachers from the United States, since they were able to hear the language spoken in real time. This sparked their interest in learning, encouraged them to participate, and helped them gain more confidence.

I believe it had a very positive impact because, through this experience, the children understood how they can use English to communicate with people from other parts of the world and learn interesting things about their country.”

  • “La experiencia de los niños que participaron en el programa Unidos por el Idioma fue muy buena y motivadora. Les gustó mucho recibir clases virtuales de Inglés con maestros nativos desde los Estados Unidos, ya que pudieron escuchar hablar el idioma en tiempo real. Esto despertó su interés por aprender, los animó a participar y a ganar algo más de confianza.... Considero que tuvo un impacto muy positivo porque los niños comprendieron con esta experiencia cómo con el Inglés pueden comunicarse con personas de otros lugares del mundo y conocer cosas interesantes de su país.”

From Mario Lumbi, Operations Manager at La Esperanza Granada in Granada, Nicaragua

“Our experience working with Unidos Por El Idioma was very positive and encouraging for our students. Although it was an online course and it wasn’t designed to be intensive, instead, it focused on practical language skills and building confidence, which made a real difference for our students.

What stood out most was the way the volunteers inspired the students. Through their consistent presence and supportive approach, they helped participants lose their fear of English and see it as something attainable. Because of that, all the students who took part felt motivated to keep developing their English even after the program ended.

That inspiration has had a lasting impact. Several of the participants are still actively improving their language skills today, and some are applying what they learned in their studies and in their roles within our programs. We’re truly grateful to Unidos Por El Idioma and the volunteers for sparking that motivation and opening a door that continues to grow beyond the sessions themselves.”