Guatemala is a tropical country located in Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, and situated between Mexico and Honduras. More then 80% of its people live below the poverty line. Hundreds of those live on, in and around the trash of Guatemala's city dump, many of them little children. Those who have been there longest get first pickings off the rubbish truck as it arrives. As the warm rays of the sun hit the mounds of garbage, little children scour the area for their only source of nourishment.
Our
ministry in Guatemala began with a sponsorship program designed to help the poorest children. The program provided these children with food, clothing and medical care as well as guaranteeing an education. The children's families are linked with social workers that seek to offer help, counsel and family guidance. The impact of this caring ministry has transformed the lives of hundreds of children and given great hope to their families. Recently, we added Educational Partnership to our portfolio of programs
Pampay School Educational Partnership Project
Educational Scholarship program
There are many children in Guatemala who seem to show great promise for a better education than is offered in National schools. We feel the need to provide an educational opportunity for the children living in the city dump or in adverse poverty. To allow these children to receive an education in a private, Christian school we seek out people, churches, clubs and groups to become scholarship partners and provide the necessary funds for the children each month.
Medical Out Reach
As part of our regular sponsor program, children receive all the medical help they require. Many out reach clinics are also funded. Here the poor are able to see doctors and receive necessary medical treatment.
Homes for the Poor
In 1999, we felt the challenge to try and improve the living conditions of the poor families with whom we were working
through our children ministries. Small but solid homes were erected for the families who for years had been suffering from illness and disease from their poor living conditions.
Chicken Pen Project
Funded by the Canadian Embassy in Guatemala, an experiment project was undertaken in which chicken pens were also provided, complete with 18 chickens, in an effort to teach families to do a little market farming and provide for their families.
Parramos Outreach Centre Project
In January 2002, El Centro de Desarrollo y Colegio Cristiano Los Brazos de Jesus (The Arms of Jesus
Development Centre and Christian School), was opened offering grades 1, 2 and 3. It was located on leased land
just outside the village of Parramos. In 2003, a school bus was donated extending the range of coverage to the village of San Lorenzo, the land was purchased, and
grade 4 was added.
The opportunity in Guatemala is tremendous, limited only by lack of funds.
Directors: Rafael and Claudia Araneda.
Directors' Report From Guatemala
Journal of a Mission trip to Parramos, Guatemala, Central America.
CIA Factbook on Guatemala.
|
