Why Guatemala?
Poverty & Scarcity of Resources
Guatemala has a population of 17.58 million.
59.3%
59.3% of the population lives below the poverty line, and over 80% of the Indigenous population lives in poverty.
3.8%
Only 3.8% of the country's total income is earned by the poorest 20 percent of the population, compared with the 60.6 percent earned by the richest 20 percent of the population(income inequality)
$6.75
Our families have an average monthly household income of $6.75 USD per day, less than half the national average
Gender Issues
Among the many social challenges Guatemalans face, rampant and deep-rooted gender inequality is one of the more dire challenges facing the country.
>41%
Less than 41% of women have formal employment, compared to 85% men
29%
Over 29% of girls are married before the age of 18.
10x
Girls and women in Guatemala spend 10x as many hours per work doing unpaid domestic chores and labor
8 seconds
In Guatemala, a teen girl becomes pregnant every 8 seconds.
10
Every week, 10 women are murdered in an incident of gender-based violence
The reported incidents are likely a small percentage of the total as many violent attacks go undisclosed.
>27%
Less than 27% of Guatemalan girls enroll in secondary education.
The Potential
Despite facing many obstacles, Guatemala is a country full of resilience, strength, and opportunity.
Emerging Youth
In Guatemala, 40% of the population is under the age of 15, 61% is under 30. The potential of investing in youth can create a transformative ripple effect of positive change.
Cultural Strengths
Mayan culture and the Mayan Cosmovision are built on the foundations of social justice, well-being, and interconnectedness, and lead the way for holistic healing and empowerment
Community Resilience
Despite a recent civil war and ongoing corruption, the people of Guatemala remain strong and fiercely committed to creating a better world for themselves, and future generations
