Education as a stable basis for a democratic civil society

Education for the children in the slums of Guatemala City

The central garbage dump of Guatemala City (the capital of Guatemala) does not only serve the disposal of waste, it is also the basis of life for numerous families living in the surrounding slums. The so-called 'guajeros' collect recyclable items to sell them to the local recycle facilities. Instead of going to school, many children have to support their parents in this task from an early age. At the same time, poverty and lack of opportunities create a breeding ground for violence and drug abuse. Education creates opportunities and a path out of poverty for the children.

Background

Maya families that move to the city from rural areas in an attempt to find employment are particularly affected by the problems of the slums. Due to the lack of education, most of them only find jobs in the informal sector, such as garbage collectors. Most families are so poor that they cannot afford any education for their children and depend on the children’s labor in the informal sector.

The good deed

Education offers children and teenagers a way out of the vicious circle of poverty, criminality, and violence. More importantly, it creates opportunities and hope in an often hopeless environment. Through the absorption of the tuition fees and the provision of school materials and uniforms, the project allows over 550 children to attend a Guatemalan school. Additionally, the children receive a warm meal, support for their homework and healthcare. Extracurricular programs like music, sports, or computer classes stimulate the creativity and create a safe framework for socializing in a neighborhood that is marked by criminality and drug abuse. In the long-term, the educated children escape the poverty and live in dignity and security.

Challenge

The widespread youth gangs ('maras') impede the project with aggressive recruiting, drug consumption, and frequent teenager pregnancies. To face this challenge, the project has also implemented a violence prevention program and a mandatory healthcare program.