Located just southeast of Mexico, Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America. Its spectacular mountains boast a wealth of natural resources and stunning biodiversity. For centuries, this land served as the core territory of the Mayan civilization. Following two centuries of Spanish colonization, Guatemala gained its independence in the early nineteenth century, only to endure another 150 years of political instability and civil unrest.
In Guatemala, children’s very lives and futures are at risk, as they struggle with poverty and a lack of educational resources. Right now, children in Guatemala need your help.
Additionally, this area is prone to devastating natural disasters, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and hurricanes, which cause mudslides and flooding. Despite recent economic growth and successful democratic elections, Guatemala still struggles with widespread poverty, illiteracy, crime, and high rates of unemployment and underemployment.
Challenges for Children in Guatemala
In Guatemala, children’s very lives and futures are at risk, as they struggle with poverty and a lack of educational resources. Right now, children in Guatemala need your help.
- 47% of Guatemalans live in poverty
- 68% of Guatemalan children live in impoverished households
- Due to widespread poverty, children suffer from malnutrition, lack of clean water
and lack of access to healthcare - Half of Guatemala’s population cannot afford basic food items, leading to 1 in 5
children under the age of 5 to suffer from stunted growth
Our Work in Guatemala
Thanks to caring people like you, Children Incorporated has helped thousands of children living in poverty in Guatemala since 1964.
We work with our volunteer coordinators in local communities to provide health and nutrition, education, hygiene items, clothes, shoes, and other essentials that help children and families rise above the poverty in which they live.
Our strategy is to focus on individual children through our sponsorship program, ensuring they are receiving exactly what they need on a regular basis.
Your support makes our work possible to help children in crisis in Guatemala.
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How do I sponsor a child in Guatemala?
You can sponsor a child in Guatemala in one of three ways: call our office at 1-800-538-5381 and speak with one of our staff members; email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org; or go online to our sponsorship portal, create an account, and search for a child in Guatemala that is available for sponsorship.
SOURCES:
https://www.unicef.org/media/110771/file/Guatemala-Case%20Study-Being-Prepared-Acting-First-2021.pdf
https://elibrary.worldbank.org/doi/abs/10.1596/1813-9450-2193
https://www.wfp.org/countries/guatemala