Guatemala Country Information

Fact and Figures

Location - Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, bordering the Gulf of Honduras between Honduras and Belize

Capital- Guatemala City

Population- 13.5 million

People- Mestizo [mixed Amerindian & Spanish] & European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1%

Language- Spanish, Amerindian languages

Religion- Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs

Literacy rat- e 69.1%

Life expectancy- 70.5 years

% Living below $1/day- 14%

Sources The CIA World Fact Book 2009, Compassion International, www.news.bbc.co.uk

Guatemala

In Guatemala, decades of dictatorship and guerrilla warfare ended in 1996 when the government finally signed a peace agreement with leftist rebels, but the war had erased entire communities, killed over 200,000 people and orphaned 56,000 children.

In addition, about two-thirds of the population, mostly of Mayan origin, are living in extreme poverty in the rural areas and infant mortality, malnutrition and illiteracy are some of the highest in the region. Natural disasters, organised crime, violent street gangs and drug smuggling compound the suffering.

With many parents unable to support their families, children are forced into labour, with 23 per cent of all children forming part of the country’s work force. This in turn prevents many from completing their schooling and perpetuates the cycle of poverty.

Compassion’s work in Guatemala began in 1976. Currently, more than 33,720 children participate in over 142 child development centres. Compassion partners with churches around the country to help them provide Guatemalan children with the opportunity to rise above their circumstances, and become all God has created them to be.

Compassion Guatemala does not have any Child Survival Programmes yet.

Over 33,720 children are currently being assisted in more than 142 Child Sponsorship Programmes in Guatemala.

Compassion Guatemala currently has 88 active Leadership Development Programme students.