Childcare Project - Guatemala
The
Acorn Childcare Centre ('Centro
Infantil Bellota’) in Quetzaltenango,
Guatemala is funded and supported by the Trust.
The Centre provides a safe and caring educational environment for Guatemalan children living in poverty, and at risk of suffering from neglect. It aims to ensure that children’s basic needs are met and to encourage active learning during the formative pre-school years of 3- 6. This is a crucial stage of development and it’s hoped that the support they receive at the Centre will have a positive impact throughout their lives.
Need for this Centre:
At the start of the New Millennium, over half the population of Guatemala lived in poverty with more than 15% living in extreme poverty1. These statistics are the worst in Central America and reflect national trends of inequality, poor social service provision and limited access to basic health services. Perhaps the greatest impact of such widespread poverty is the challenge to the development prospects of Guatemala's children. About two-thirds of all Guatemalan children live in poverty. Rates of child malnutrition in Guatemala are among the worst in the world1. Over 40% of children under five have been adversely effected by malnourishment and it is perhaps unsurprising to find that 80% of these children are those living in poverty. The prospects for the healthy development of these children are poor - just for want of basic nutrition.
Among the population, girls and women face cumulative disadvantages. Many mothers have to do whatever work they can to support their children, struggling with inequalities inherent in Guatemala's machismo society. Young children are often left in the care of slightly older children. As Maria’s story shows, an 8 year old may have to leave school to care for a 5 year old and a 2 year old. The centre will offer childcare during school hours to ensure that older siblings have the opportunity to attend classes. As well as providing a stimulating environment. It will also provide a nutritious meal.
The Centre will also work closely with families to ensure that parents are included in their children’s education and that staff at the Centre understand children ’s home situations.
Goals:
The Centro Infantil Bellota opened on the 1st of March 2006 and cares for an initial intake of 10 children (with plans to expand to 15 children by the end of the first year).
The Maya Childcare
Trust will continue to work and raise funds within the UK and further
afield. Your support can
make a valuable difference, especially at this vital stage. We really
need further funding to secure help for these
children. Your donation would
be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
[1] World Bank Study: "Poverty In Guatemala (GUAPA)" (World
Bank, Washington, D.C. 1993).
ISBN 0-8213-5552-X