Guatemalan Leadership Team

Our Guatemalan Leadership Team

Nora Ajqueja

NUTRITION AND FOOD SAFETY SPECIALIST

Nora Ajqueja has a degree in Nutrition from the University of San Carlos de Guatemala, a master’s degree in nutrition and maternal and child nutrition from the European University of the Atlantic, and a postgraduate specialization in leadership and management for the prevention and reduction of malnutrition from the Institute of Nutrition from Central America and Panama.

Nora has received additional training in ‘Nutritional Care for Chronic Conditions in Childhood’ and ‘Promotion, Protection and Support for Breastfeeding’ from the Friends of Breastfeeding Health Services Initiative (ISSALM), an arm of the Pan American Health Organization / UNICEF.

She has worked with non-profit and humanitarian organizations dedicated to fighting malnutrition, among them Action Against Hunger, as well as been part of national health teams with the Health Area Directorate of Baja Verapaz, Guatemala, where she developed the leadership teams of the Health and Nutrition Brigades.

Nora professional focus is on the preparation of strategies for the prevention and care of child malnutrition, and community care. She is the Nutrition and Food Safety Specialist for Nuestros Ahijados, where she leads the Project’s nutritional recovery strategies at Casa Jackson Hospital for Malnourished Children; our children’s nutritional recovery center.

Contact Nora:
CasaJackson@ANAGuatemala.org
Tel: (011-502) 7832-4678

MIGUEL ANGEL ALVAREZ PAZ

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS

Miguel Angel Alvarez Paz joined the Asociación Nuestros Ahijados de Guatemala when he was 9 years old as a beneficiary of the Project’s school scholarships program. He graduated as an accountant with a specialization in computer science and has held several professional positions within the Project since then.

He is a graduate of University Mariano Galvez of Guatemala with a degree in Legal and Social Sciences, and has developed, led, and participated in several regional and international activities related to the protection of children and victims of violence.

Miguel Angel has just finished writing his first book, an autobiography about growing up in the streets of Guatemala and looks forward to seeing it internationally published in 2024. He enjoys playing soccer and traveling nationally and internationally.

He considers the protection of human rights for vulnerable and excluded populations to be his lifelong vocation.

Contact Miguel Angel:
Admin@ANAGuatemala.org
Tel: (011-502) 7832-4678

Patrick Atkinson

Executive Director

Patrick Atkinson founded the Guatemalan charity, La Asociación Nuestros Ahijados, in 1991 – the same year he founded the United States-based GOD’S CHILD Project and The Atkinson Center. He is the founder of several Central American charities and, simultaneously yet separately, the executive director of Nuestros Ahijados, The GOD’S CHILD Project, and the Institute for Trafficked, Exploited & Missing Persons.

Patrick attended Minnesota State University – Moorhead where he earned a BA in Criminal Justice (pre-law emphasis) and a BSW in Social Work (chemical dependency counseling emphasis). While at MSUM, Patrick began to work with victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and homelessness. After graduation, he turned down several lucrative corporate job offers to work with runaways, prostitutes, and gang members in New York City.

In 1983, Patrick moved to Central America where he began an international career in war-zone reconciliation and post-war reconstruction, working directly in the conflicted areas of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, and affected regions in Mexico, Honduras, Panama, and Columbia.

He subsequently earned a Masters of Nonprofit Management from Regis University (Denver, CO) with post-graduate studies at Harvard University (Cambridge, MA) and the University of Oxford (Oxford, England). He has written several award-winning books, including the international selling books, Message for My Child and The Powerful You!.

Patrick is a popular guest lecturer and expert court witness on issues related to human trafficking, international crime structures, street gang issues, and international nonprofit management. He has been knighted by the Knights of St. James, is the recipient of numerous human rights awards (including the Guatemalan Congressional Medal), and the subject of author Monica Hannan’s biography, The Dream Maker.

Contact Patrick:
Info@GodsChild.org
Tel: 612-351-8020

Aroldo Garcia Cay

PHYSICAL PLANT DIRECTOR

Aroldo Garcia Cay has worked in Grounds Maintenance, Construction, and most recently, as Physical Plant Director with the Nuestros Ahijados program for 24 years. A participant in the Project’s academic scholarship program, he was able to finish his high school degree in Science and Literature at the Science and Development School of Guatemala.

He is currently responsible for the efficient and effective operations of the Project’s buildings, grounds, and gardens, as well as security. He also manages the purchasing processes and inventory controls for the construction materials used in the house-building efforts of the Project’s ServiceTeam Experience volunteer groups.

Aroldo has stood out as an exemplary team member for his vocation, commitment, responsibility and honesty, and he and his team make the Project’s physical plant, and particularly the main campus “The Dreamer Center”, a magical place where the dreams of our program participants and beneficiaries come true.

In his free time, Aroldo likes to watch and play soccer, spend time with his family, and participate in activities that support those with need in his home community.

Contact Aroldo:
Admin@ANAGuatemala.org
Tel: (011-502) 7832-4678

Joanne Lara

COORDINATOR OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT / VOLUNTEERS AND SERVICETEAMS

Joanne Lara is the Project’s Coordinator of Sustainable Development Program / Volunteering and ServiceTeams. She was born and raised in La Antigua Guatemala and since she was a teenager, she has been interested in supporting vulnerable populations and communities, with a strong history of participating in different volunteer activities in the community.

She has been a translator in medical conferences in different communities, given workshops and trainings to children and teenagers in different areas, and was the treasurer for a regional group that planned tourist trips in Guatemala.

Joanne began her professional career in the hotel industry. As she progressed in her studies, and particularly those in psychology, she wanted to get more involved, so she started to work in early childhood, followed by position providing shelter and protection for vulnerable children.

She always thought she could have a greater reach and accomplish more with the right tools and being in the right place, and she found that with the Nuestros Ahijados team.

Contact Joanne:
Voluntarios@ANAGuatemala.org
Tel: (011-502) 7832-4678

Hector Hugo López Palencia

Purchasing and Supplies Coordinator

My name is Hector Hugo López Palencia

I graduated with an Industrial Baccalaureate and am an Expert in Electricity.

I connect with Asociación Nuestros Ahijados de Guatemala NGO, because I grew up here. ANA supported me while I was able to study and graduate and be the person I am.

I have been working at ANA for 20 years. Over the years, I have worked in different departments.

I currently hold the position of Head of Warehouses, Supplies and Purchasing.

I am a responsible, intelligent, capable person.

Contact Hector:
suministros@anaguatemala.org
Tel: (011-502) 7832-4678

Robbie Middleton

INTERNATIONAL SPONSORSHIP AND SCHOLARSHIP COORDINATOR

Robbie Middleton was born and raised in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom. He studied Modern Languages at Newcastle University and earned a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at York St. John University, qualifying as a primary school teacher.

After finishing his degrees, Robbie worked as an Early Years Foundation Stage Primary School Teacher in London for four years before deciding to move to Guatemala. Robbie first volunteered at the Project’s Casa Jackson for Malnourished Children in 2009 and returned each year from 2012 through 2019 to continue working with children in the Project’s Dreamer Center School.

In 2019, GOD’S CHILD Project founder and executive director Patrick Atkinson asked Robbie to head up the Project’s International Sponsorship and Scholarship Program, a responsibility which Robbie continues to hold and at which he excels.

As director of the Project’s International Sponsorship and Scholarship Program, Robbie coordinates the academic support given to hundreds of children, works with national and international donors and groups to fund the work that ANA does, and directs the child and hospital crib sponsorship programs and donor communications.

An educator at heart, Robbie believes that education is the most important and effective way for children in Guatemala to improve their quality of life. He is proud to be a big part of the Nuestros Ahijados program efforts.

Contact Robbie:
Sponsorship@ANAGuatemala.org
Tel: (011-502) 7832-4678

Ewa Niewozewska

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Ewa Niewozewska is a graduate from the Warsaw School of Economics with a Masters degree in management and marketing. She has always felt that helping others is her goal in life. Prior to joining the Asociación Nuestros Ahijados de Guatemala, Ewa worked with various social projects in Poland, Spain, and Guatemala.

She loves to learn and is always looking to enroll in additional courses, diplomas programs, and studies. She has a passion for traveling, learning new foreign languages, getting to know new cultures, and tasting new, sometimes strange, food.

Ewa and her family have implemented eco-friendly habits at home and together they often spend time in nature.

Contact Ewa:
Programas@ANAGuatemala.org
Tel: (011-502) 7832-4678

Salem Ojer

Sponsorship and Program Coordinator

Salem Ojer, who has been with the Nuestros Ahijados since 2017, graduated as a Pre-Primary Teacher and Human Rights and Culture of Peace from the University of San Carlos de Guatemala. She is currently finishing additional degrees in Pedagogy and Educational Administration.

Salem says that being part of the Nuestros Ahijados program for the past 10 years has filled her life with a lot of personal and professional experience and is the main impetus for her vocation. She currently coordinates the Project’s educational programs, which involves creating educational programs, material, and access for thousands of children and young people living in vulnerable and excluded situations.

Contact Salem:
Programas@ANAGuatemala.org
Tel: (011-502) 7832-4678

Saima Rodas

Casa Jackson Hospital Coordinator

Saima Rodas, Coordinator of Casa Jackson Hospital for Malnourished Children, Nutritionist by profession, graduated from the San Carlos University of Guatemala, with a Master’s degree in Food and Nutrition from the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama -INCAP-, with a solid background in nutrition and child development, having successfully led nutritional programs nationwide for children in vulnerable situations and living in extreme poverty, has implemented strategic alliances for nutrition, with key actions based on the Government Strategy “The Great National Crusade for Nutrition”.

She has also led in the compliance and execution of processes and budgets allocated in various projects with prestigious local and international NGOs and an outstanding work at the community level. She worked for the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance in the Food and Nutritional Security Program -PROSAN- and in the Comprehensive Health Care System -SIAS-.

She has several diplomas as specialization programs throughout her professional career, she likes to work in programs and projects focused on the first thousand days of the child, to address the issue of malnutrition in a preventive manner.

Contact Saima:
CasaJackson@ANAGuatemala.org
Tel: (011-502) 7832-4678

Yadira Rodas

Protection and Empowerment Program Coordinator

Yadira Rodas is the Coordinator of the Protection and Empowerment Program. She was born and raised in Guatemala City. She has more than 15 years of experience in the field of social projects, within the framework of Human Rights, Violence Prevention, Victim Attention, Institutional Strengthening, Advocacy, Citizen Vigilance and Psychosocial Accompaniment to vulnerable populations.

Yadira is a psychologist by profession and has specialized throughout her professional career in the management of large-scale projects at the national level, as well as at the local government level, focused on the prevention of violence against women, children and adolescents, as well as community strengthening. She led the coordination of the project that promoted coexistence with women and youth in spaces free of violence. Part of her experience was teaching, with young people, women and officials of the health sector, justice, security, has provided psychosocial support to victims of violence by the internal armed conflict, provided technical support to Municipal Commissions for the Prevention of Violence, referral networks of cases of victims, and has also provided psychological care to women, children and adolescents victims of violence.

One of her first experiences was working as an educator in a home for children and young people between the ages of 3 and 17, in conditions of poverty, victims of violence and sexual violence.

Her main objective is to carry out her work with dedication and conviction that all people deserve to live free of violence and have a full life.

Yadira joins ANA and her experience will help make a positive difference in the lives of the children and their families we serve. She joins the team so that together we can continue working to fulfill our mission and achieve our goals.

Contact Yadira:
Programas@ANAGuatemal.org
Tel: (011-502) 7832-4678