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Working With Children in Guatemala

Volcanic eruption in Guatemala


On June 3, the Fuego volcano in Guatemala erupted, leaving the capital city covered in ash. Several deaths have been reported and many people are still missing, making this the biggest volcanic impact in Guatemala in decades.

Schools, houses and roads have been damaged and access to essential services is limited. Search and rescue teams are still working hard to locate and treat the people who have been injured.  An alert was declared by the government in the areas most affected.

Two Canadian-supported communities– San Pedro and Asodisa –have been impacted. Thankfully, Guatemalan staff have confirmed that all the sponsored children in these communities have been accounted for and are safe.

World Vision’s response has been to assess damages and needs, coordinate with the government and deliver humanitarian aid such as water, hygiene kits, clothing, medicine and counselling where needed. Child-safe spaces are also being provided to keep children and adolescents protected.

World Vision will continue to monitor the situation and post any new updates on this page. For more information, or to check on the status of your sponsored child, please call us at 1-800-654-2650.

To help us quickly respond to emergency situations like the one in Guatemala, please consider donating to our Emergency Response and Preparedness fund: https://donate.worldvision.ca/products/donate-to-emergency-disaster-relief

For many children in Guatemala, poverty and violence are far too often common companions with homicide rates among the highest in the world outside of war zones. To protect children from the violence around them, we work with pastors, teachers, community leaders and the children themselves to raise awareness and implement strategies to help kids be safe and thrive.

More than half of Guatemala’s population live below the poverty line and one half of the children are malnourished. Along with income-supporting programs, we help parents cultivate diversified backyard vegetable gardens and learn how to maximize nutritional benefits in meal preparation. 

Your impact in Guatemala

Together, we’re making real change in the lives of children, families and communities. Just some of what was achieved with Canadian support in the past year:
Volcanic eruption in Guatemala

On June 3, the Fuego volcano in Guatemala erupted, leaving the capital city covered in ash. Several deaths have been reported and many people are still missing, making this the biggest volcanic impact in Guatemala in decades.

Schools, houses and roads have been damaged and access to essential services is limited. Search and rescue teams are still working hard to locate and treat the people who have been injured.  An alert was declared by the government in the areas most affected.

Two Canadian-supported communities– San Pedro and Asodis –have been impacted. Thankfully, Guatemalan staff have confirmed that all the sponsored children in these communities have been accounted for and are safe.

World Vision’s response has been to assess damages and needs, coordinate with the government and deliver humanitarian aid such as water, hygiene kits, clothing, medicine and counselling where needed. Child-safe spaces are also being provided to keep children and adolescents protected.

World Vision will continue to monitor the situation and post any new updates on this page. For more information, or to check on the status of your sponsored child, please call us at 1-800-654-2650.

To help us quickly respond to emergency situations like the one in Guatemala, please consider donating to our Emergency Response and Preparedness fund: https://donate.worldvision.ca/products/donate-to-emergency-disaster-relief
 
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease and have access to essential health services.

 
  • We worked with local clinics and the Ministry of Health to provide vaccines and vitamins to vulnerable children in danger of disease and malnutrition.
  • 2,213 children and adults learned about the importance of water safety, proper sanitation and hygiene to stay healthy
  • 726 women were counselled on how to properly care for themselves and their babies during and after pregnancy
  • 281 malnourished children in Guatemala were enrolled in nutritional programs and monitored to ensure they are growing healthy
     
Children learn and develop their talents, young people are equipped for the future and families support children's education.

 
  • Through new preschool programs, young children learned skills needed to be successful in primary school, such as counting, knowing the alphabet and working with others
  • 2 schools were upgraded to provide a better learning environment for students
  • 88 teachers and volunteers learned child-friendly teaching methods to improve the quality of education for children
  • 1,701 preschool children are developing vital language and motor skills, setting a solid foundation for their education
     
Adults and youth acquire knowledge and skills, and gain access to resources, to help them increase their family income.

 
  • 190 adults received vocational, business and finance training, improving their opportunities to earn a steady income
  • 87 farmers received livestock, seeds or tools to improve productivity and better provide for their children and families
  • 6 savings groups are helping children and adults save money and access loans to grow businesses or cover basic expenses
  • 43 gardens are in place to help families, community groups or schools provide nutritious food for children
     
Adults and youth acquire knowledge and skills, and gain access to resources, to help them increase their family income.

 
  • 389 young people are leading or attending child parliaments to advocate for their rights and influence local decisions
  • 6 spiritual leaders partnered with World Vision Canada to bring positive changes in the lives of children and families
  • 1,459 people learned about child rights and protection issues, helping ensure children's safety and participation
  • 18 community groups are engaging with local authorities to advance their rights and create positive changes for children in Guatemala
     
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Cultivating fruit, veggies and family values
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