Guatemala

Guatemala’s population of 16.02 million makes it the most populous country in Central America. At 2%, it also boasts the highest population growth rate in all of Latin America. This is due, in part, to its large population of reproductive age and their high birth rate. Almost half of Guatemala’s population is under the age of 19, making it the youngest population in Latin America with a median age of only 21.4 years.

Ceiba Blanca is a small village located in the municipality of San Martin Zapotitlan in Retalhuleu. Retalhueu is the Department (State) of Guatemala with most of its population living in rural areas (60.1% of the population lives in rural areas). Ceiba Blanca has a population of 900 people. This is a warm and tropical area.

Cases of malnourishment or stunting are not uncommon among children attending the local elementary school. The main reason for this, is the work situation of the parents at the community. Usually children eat one to two times a day, but not very nutritious meals. According to a census in 2013, the chronic malnutrition rate in the municipality of San Marin Zapotitlan is 24 %, the third highest in Retaluheu.

Families often experience difficulties in getting a formal job. As a result, they struggle to feed and provide the basics for their family. In the area, there are some job opportunities, but often these jobs pay only day wages or pay per season, which doesn’t provide stability to a family’s economy and compels people to search for alternative ways to survive and generate additional income.

Ceiba Blanca has one elementary and one middle school. Due to the economic problems that the families of the community face, many children have to work to help in their homes. At the same time, there isn’t a High School in the village, so the children have to go to a High School in a different community an hour away. This represents an extra cost for the families that they can’t afford. The dropout rate in Ceiba Blanca is 76 %, which means, that of every 100 children who begin elementary school (1st grade), 73 continue in Middle School and only 27 finish High school. This is the third highest school dropout in the Department (State) of Retalhuleu. At the same time, the community does not have any vocational schools.

Due to the realities already described, access to public health services is also deficient. The closest health center is 11 kms. from the community. Children get sick from common illnesses, such as stomach issues, flu, and illnesses resulting from mosquito bites, a lack of hygiene at the home, as well as, a lack of access to clean water. One of the biggest problems is the high mortality rate of 15%, due to renal dysfunction in children under 15 years. The main reasons for this are malnutrition and dehydration due to the conditions of work during the harvest.

Currently, most of the houses in the area are made from wood, cinder block and corrugated metal sheets. There are some made of plastic and adobe.

People in the community live at risk because construction is not up to code, and most of the people in the community do not have basic sanitation.

• The Local Church is involved with different ministries and running programs. (Youth, Women’s and Children’s ministries)
• One member of the church is president of the local Government, COCODE.
• There is space available and different spaces to run different programs.
• They have built strong relationships with the principals of the public schools.
• The Church is involved in all the activities with volunteers committed to the transformation of their community.
• Most of the volunteers from the church are young people.
• The community has a lot of natural resources to begin agricultural programs.
• The Church has credibility in the community.
• The church members work getting local donations to do what they are doing.