Keynote February 2026
In Guatemala, February is marked by Día del Cariño — a celebration of friendship, affection, and the relationships that sustain us.
Within communities experiencing economic insecurity and community violence, the conditions that allow friendship to flourish can feel out of reach. At Creamos, we understand that part of our role is to create space for connection and provide consistency in a community where self-protection reshapes how people relate to one another.
One of the most enduring friendships we have had the privilege of witnessing has taken shape within our Healthy Aging group, a weekly gathering of older women (50+ years old) who come together for gentle movement and shared conversation, accompanied by a Creamos therapist. What started with just three women has rapidly grown into a lively, committed group of 20.
Over time, the women began to notice one another more closely. When someone didn’t arrive, her absence was noted. Sometimes that meant a phone call. Sometimes it meant stopping by her house. Either way, she didn’t stay absent for long.
These relationships have grown among women who are navigating an often-isolating stage of life, and living within a context marked by insecurity, violence, and long-standing exclusion. Many have spent decades adapting to instability, taking on responsibility for others, and finding ways to endure without reliable support systems.
Friendship here has grown quietly, at the pace of trust. They have found a sense of home, safety, and enjoyment in this group, and a certainty that every week they attend, their grandchildren will be cared for in Creamos’ childcare center, and they will have time just for themselves and one another.
As we celebrate Día del Cariño this month, we honor your friendship. Your companionship allows learning, growth, and connection to flourish.
Con cariño,
The Creamos Team
Participant Spotlight: Four Years of Friendship
Jeanette and Karin met about four years ago, simply two women crossing paths. What started as a brief encounter grew into a steady and meaningful bond.
From early on, Jeanette recognized Karin’s strength. She saw someone who keeps moving forward through difficult moments, even when the path feels heavy. She also saw tenderness. A devoted mother. A person whose kindness shows in small, everyday gestures. That admiration gradually deepened into trust, affection, and a lasting friendship.
Karin remembers those first days with a smile. She was quiet and shy, while Jeanette arrived with energy, laughter, and playful jokes. Their differences created balance. Jeanette brought lightness. Karin offered calm, encouragement, and steady presence. Little by little, they began to grow side by side.
Today, their friendship lives in simple but meaningful acts. They encourage each other on hard days and share joy on easier ones. They show up, consistently and without question.
For Jeanette and Karin, friendship means having someone who listens, supports, and walks beside you through whatever comes next. Four years later, that shared path has become a story of care, trust, and quiet joy.
Please join us for a mindful moment
Close your eyes for a moment. Think of someone who would notice your absence.
Breathe in gratitude for that bond, and out a hope that others experience the same.
Program Highlights
In December 2025, the Workforce Development Program graduated 34 more participants from vocational trainings, reaching a 2025 total of 81 graduates!
Also in December, the Emotional Support Program closed 22 individual therapy cases, meaning 22 participants made significant therapeutic progress and demonstrated the skills to manage their mental health.
In February, the Education Program kicked off another academic year with enrollment at a historic high! 110 women and 76 men have signed up to continue their academic journey.
2025 Impact Summary
Can't wait to learn about all that Creamos' programs accomplished in 2025?
The full 2025 Annual Report will be released in the coming months.
New Partnership Announcement!
Finally, we are excited to announce a new partnership with Together Women Rise to support Creamos’s Emotional Support Program!
Together Women Rise is a powerful community of women and allies dedicated to global gender equality. It has hundreds of local chapters across the U.S. where members come together to learn about and advocate for gender equality issues, give grants to organizations that empower women and girls in low-income communities in the Global South, and build community to forge meaningful connections with each other and with women around the world.