Country Profile
In 1996, the Guatemalan government officially ended
the 36 year long war, the longest war of the Central American countries
which generated enormous suffering. Then in the fall of 1998, Guatemala
was hit again with yet another tragedy, Hurricane Mitch, which resulted
in many more families becoming homeless and helpless. World Hope
is currently working with the people of Guatemala providing them
with educational opportunities.
Hope for Children
 Hope
for Children (HFC) is sponsoring children in seven villages surrounding
Lake Atitlan. According to Francisco Perez Mendoza,
who is in charge of overseeing the program, “This support
has played an important role in cultivating the intellectual development
of each child, as well as developing the abilities, talents and
spiritual gifts that each one possesses.” Francisco also says
that “our objective is that each child would become a light
that causes darkness to flee and that they would be deeply rooted
in the word of God so that they don’t easily succumb to the
temptations of the world.”
Families also benefit from the occasional distribution
of nutritious food, reimbursement for medicine, and children’s
clothes. In September, all of the sponsored children were provided
with a new pair of tennis shoes, and their families received a generous
allotment of food. Children also attended Vacation Bible Schools
and participated in an early Christmas party that included gifts
for each child.
Lake Atitlan
Highlights
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Relief supplies were distributed following mudslides in late 2005
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School and hygiene gift packs were given to children in February.
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A new Hope for Children office was established at Nuevo Amanecer School.
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HFC provided funds for the completion of restroom facilities at Nuevo Amanecer School.
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HFC provided funds for ceiling fans for classrooms at the school and a church in San Pablo.
 In
Guatemala City, Hope for Children is working in
partnership with the Wesleyan Church. This year, a preschool
was started at the church for children living in the surrounding
neighborhood, which is impoverished. Twenty plus children were enrolled
in January, 2006. A qualified preschool teacher was hired, plus
two assistants. A meal and snacks are served to the children. An
after-school program is provided at the church to give older school
children in the Hope for Children program a place where they can
receive tutoring and a meal, as well as participate in social activities
and Bible studies.
Guatemala City Highlights
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School and hygiene gift
packs were given to children attending the church programs.
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A Hope Corps volunteer
team from the U.S. built some storage units and painted at the
preschool in February, as well as spent time interacting with
the children.
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Funds were provided
to assist with the operational costs of the preschool.
History of Guatemala
Half
of the population of Guatemala are descendants of the indigenous
Mayan people. Although Spanish is the official language, it is not
universally understood by the indigenous population. Half of the
population are subsistent farmers. The land mass is a little smaller
than Tennessee, made up of mountains inland and a fertile coastal
plain. After 36 years of internal conflict, Guatemala still struggles
with high crime and serious and worsening public corruption. Although
education is compulsory through the 6th grade, only about 41% of
children are enrolled in school. Literacy for the general population
is 55.6%. |
