3GUMX PROJECT – GUATEMALA MIXCO

DEFINITION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CONTEXT

Although Guatemala has been formally a democracy since 1985, it appears to be governed by an authoritarian elite, deeply rooted in a socio-economic structure of colonial, “peripheral” structure and derivation, in which low value-added goods are produced, with high intensity of poorly paid labour, and technological goods are imported from more advanced economies. In fact, even though agriculture is the main sector of employment of the population, it is oriented towards the production of export goods (nutmeg, coffee, bananas, etc.) and in the hands of large foreign companies in agreement with the national elites: therefore, it does not produce widespread and “horizontal” well-being but reinforces socio-economic disparities. Today, Guatemala not only has one of the lowest GDPs per capita in the region but is also one of the most unequal countries in the world: according to Oxfam, 260 people have an income equal to that of 42% of the population. More than half of the inhabitants live in poverty, a percentage that reaches 80% if we consider the indigenous community alone, one of the largest in Latin America. Guatemala has the fourth-highest rate of chronic malnutrition in the world and the highest in the region, with indigenous and rural populations disproportionately affected. The absence of redistributive policies and public investment also severely limits both the quality and access to basic services (education, health).

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION

With its 19 million inhabitants – 44% of whom are indigenous – Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America and the one with the largest indigenous community. Mixco, a municipality located near the capital, has 1.3 million inhabitants: it is the third largest city in the country, but also has rural areas and protected areas. The informal economy is very extensive, and this contributes to the spread of crime. Here too the social gap is large, not everyone has access to education and health. Chimaltenango is a department of Guatemala 54 kilometres from the capital, with a population of over 630 thousand inhabitants, most of whom are indigenous.

COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE OF THE PROJECT

The “Fiore” Educational Centre (CEF) is in Mixco and stands on Church land given in usufruct to the Work of Mary. It has 12 classrooms (6*6 meters) for lessons, a computer room, a music room, an audiovisual room, an indoor sports gym, a grass football field, a playground, a covered area, canteen, library, playroom, toilets, teachers’ room, management and administration offices, secretariat, chapel. At the same time, the project supports some vulnerable families belonging to the communities of Patzún, San Martin Jilotepeque, both municipalities of Chimaltenango, Sumpango, Sacatepéquez, La Laguneta and Palencia, communities close to the capital.

The project staff consists of 24 people, namely: 6 elementary school teachers, 3 kindergarten teachers, 5 “sub-areas” teachers, 3 auxiliaries, 1 elementary school director, 1 kindergarten director, 1 accountant, 2 administrative assistants, 1 SAD contact person, 1 administrative director.

IMPLEMENTED ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES

• Curricular education courses within the CEF from kindergarten to elementary school;
• Payment of school fees for minors who do not attend the CEF ;
• · School material distribution
• Health care
• Monthly distribution of food parcels to 15 vulnerable families

BENEFICIARIES OF THE ACTION

The “Fiore” Educational Centre this year has 103 pupils aged between 4 and 13 years. The SAD project involves 73 students in vulnerable socio-economic conditions, and their families.

ACTIONS

• Support at a Distance

This is an ongoing commitment to support a food, school-training and sanitation programme aimed entirely at the individual minor and his or her family, both of which are part of the AFN project.

• Support for the project

This is an ongoing commitment to support a food, educational, educational and health and hygiene programme aimed at the entire group of minors and their families who are part of the AFN project.

• Donations

These are free-flow payments, in support of a food, school-training and health and hygiene programme aimed at the entire group of minors and their families who are part of the AFN project.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

• Long-distance support of a child. Please contact the coordinators in your country to confirm the annual amount and payment details https://afnonlus.org/contatti/#world

Reason for payment “New Support for Guatemala ” and in subsequent payments “renewal support for Guatemala”

• Support for the project. Please contact the coordinators in your country to confirm the annual amount and payment details.

Reason for payment “New support for the Guatemala project” and in subsequent payments “renewal support for the Guatemala project”

• Donations – Reason for payment “Donation for Guatemala Project”