Guatemala

For Guatemala, the road to independence and transparent democracy has not been without its fair share of problems. After ten years of successful social reforms and democracy, Guatemala fell into turmoil after a U.S.-backed coup in 1954. The civil war that ensued left 36 years of conflict and over 200,000 dead. Peace finally came in 1996 and Guatemala is making political strides to end the violence, corruption, and poverty that has so affected the lives of its people.

World Renew has been working in Guatemala since 1976. Today, World Renew works through the Presbyterian church in three regions: Kanjobal, Peten, and Kekchi. These programs are aimed at helping communities develop conservation agriculture, preventative health care, and education. Through its work, World Renew hopes to help a country with a troubled recent past and rich cultural heritage discover opportunities and hope through Christ.

News from Guatemala - April 2013

World Renew Partners In Guatemala

 PRESBYTERIAN CHRISTIAN SERVICE COMMITTEE OF KANJOBAL (KANJOBAL)

World Renew works with Kanjobal to address the needs of rural families living near the Mexico border on one of the most famous and highest chains of mountains in Guatemala, the Cuchumatanes. Kanjobal work with poor communities to help them improve their agricultural production, prevent childhood diseases, and increase adult literacy.

Kanjobal is well-known and respected by the people and government in the region. Thanks to World Renew support, Kanjobal has helped people learn to conserve land, prevent erosion, and use appropriate fertilizers to grow and harvest land on the mountainside. They have also halted malnutrition in children, and have helped adults gain an elementary school level of education.

 PRESBYTERIAN CHRISTIAN SERVICE COMMITTEE OF PETEN (PETEN)

World Renew works with Peten to address the needs of poor families in several counties in the Peten region. The region of Peten is frequently visited by tourists because it is home to the Mayan ruins of Tikal. Unfortunately, despite this rich history and attraction, many people of Peten live in poverty. This is due, in part, to hot weather that can hinder the growth of food crops.

Through the partner Peten, World Renew is working on wholistic community development which includes agricultural training, preventive health programs for children, and adult education. By encouraging farmers to plant new crops that can withstand high heat, and by teaching nutrition, hygiene, and nutrition, communities in Peten are making great strides for the future. 

 PRESBYTERIAN CHRISTIAN SERVICE COMMITTEE OF KEKCHI

The region of Kekchi is in the northeastern part of the country. Because it is hard to access, the region has had a long history of being under-developed and abandoned by many government programs. As a result, it has the highest level of illiteracy in the country. Its people also live in poverty. Through this partner, World Renew is helping communities improve their agricultural production, prevent childhood disease, and increase adult education. Adult education programs start with basic literacy, but also include elementary, secondary, and diploma-level possibilities.

 VID & PAMPANOS [VINE & BRANCHES]

Vid y Pampanos is the diaconal ministry of the Reformed Confessional Presbytery in the Quetzaltenango region. World Renew is helping Vid & Pampanos with their literacy work in four of the poorest rural communities of the region. In the next year they hope to also include preventive health and reproduction education.