Guatemala's History
Guatemala, birthplace of the Mayan people, is the most populated Central American country. A 36-year guerrilla war saw the deaths of over 100,000 Guatemalans. Over 450 Mayan villages were destroyed, forcing more than 1,000,000 people to become refugees. The 1996 signing of peace accords ended the civil war and removed a major economic obstacle to foreign investment. The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) went into effect in July 2006 and has since spurred investments, but concerns over security, the lack of skilled workers and poor infrastructure continue to hinder foreign investment.

Widespread political violence and corruption scandals continue to plague the nation. The country is mountainous (with 37 volcanoes) except for the south coastal area and the north vast lowlands of Peten. Though most live in the rural regions, many people are migrating to the large cities for reasons such as government neglect of rural areas, oppressive labour conditions on rural plantations and unavailability of arable land. The country relies on agriculture for employment and exports (coffee, sugar and bananas are its main products). Once heavily forested, Guatemala now has severe environmental issues resulting from slash and burn agriculture, including soil erosion and water pollution.

Slum conditions in the larger cities are oppressive and quality of life is poor. Approximately 31 Guatemalan children out of 1,000 die before the age of five. Poverty is a way of life for most rural people, as are malnutrition and ill-health because most of the population cannot afford health care. Public education is free, but the cost of uniforms, books and supplies makes it almost impossible for many families to send their children to school.

FH In Guatemala
In 1994 FH began focusing programming on two regions of the country, Nebaj Quiche and San Cristobal Verapaz. FH began implementing a Biblical Worldview as the foundation of all programs. Because of the decisions that were made to achieve the objectives according to the new focus of work, in 1995 the central office of FH Guatemala moved to the town of Coban Alta Verapaz with the purpose of being closer to the regional offices.

Nebaj is an archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization, located in the western Guatemala highlands. FH Canada is working to improve this region's situation through a new water pipeline project, child education, medical equipment distribution and post-secondary education sponsorship. Children are now receiving an education, are practicing proper hygiene and are participating in social activities. In addition community leaders have taken active steps to follow up on children’s health and the community's progress toward self-sustainability.

What We Do

• Child Development Program: Holistic child, family and leader development, school feeding, school material provision, education support program, child rights, medical care, school infrastructure support, parent trainings, social clubs, biblical trainings, holistic development.
• Health and Nutrition: Health clinic nutritional support, public health trainings, growth promotion strategy, deworming medicine, home improvements.
• Economic Development: Agricultural trainings, agricultural production, holistic agriculture, hand craft production.

• Water and Sanitation: Improving water systems, water source conservation, training in maintenance and operation.
• Intermediate Education: Education support to assist young people to complete high school.
• Institutional Strengthening: Strengthening community organizations and productive organizations, training for community and church leaders.
• Emergency Relief: Emergency repose to natural disasters.

Quick Facts (from UNICEF)

• Guatemala has one of the worst nutritional conditions in the region. Nearly 23% of children between three and five months of age suffer from general malnutrition.
• Children and adolescents compose more than half of Guatemala’s population.
• Scarce financial resources for household expenses often result in escalating levels of child labor.
• More than half of Guatemalans are descendants of indigenous Mayan peoples.
• Guatemala is the most populous of the Central American countries with a GDP per capita roughly one-half that of Argentina, Brazil, and Chile.