A NEW PATH TO RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN GUATEMALA

Introduction:

Many people in Guatemala live in poverty, in the rural highlands almost 1 out of 10 children die before their fifth birthday. 90% of women give birth at home and just few receive the medical attention they need. In Guatemala City, people face the same problems because poverty is increasing at a high rate day by day.

Nature

Based in the USA, 4 The World is a non-profit organization that provides support to underdeveloped communities throughout the world.

What is unique about 4 The World is that it approaches development by empowering local people to collaborate, learn new skills, and improve their own communities.

The community then becomes owners of their own development destiny.

4 The World Guatemala

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH PROGRAMS

Providing poverty solutions and work to empower women to feed and care for themselves and their families by promoting healthy behaviors such as prenatal care, immunizations and exclusive breast feeding. We would like also work with both men and women to better appreciate and practice optimal reproductive health.

BUILD A WOMEN'S CENTER

The vision of 4 The World with this project is to reduce maternal and infant mortality, by giving them care and medical advice to women with high-risk pregnancies.

Women and children are the most vulnerable, lacking access to basic education and health services, battling malnutrition and struggling against traditional prejudices that diminish their quality of life. 4 The World can also educate women in some areas in which they can work and get a better income for their families, like for example to be a Women Baker, Stylist of Beauty, Teacher or Healthcare Worker etc. We can also give some opportunities of employments and child care services for them with a 4 The World Youth Center.

MEDICAL INTERNS FOR HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

Most of the medical centers in Guatemala do not have the right number of doctors as needed and most of the NGO’s and organizations in Guatemala that provides medical and healthcare services would like to have interns to help with their programs. This is not a luxury but a necessity.

BUILDING A YOUTH COMPUTER CENTER

Help us build a Youth Center in. Help get kids off of the streets, out of the factories and market places and help them get structured education activities and supervision as well as access to computers and other educational opportunities and programs.

Mission Statement

4 The World Guatemala has as its Mission Statement "To work with disadvantaged communities in an integrated manner that will promote self-reliance, better health and education."

Objectives

1. To improve on the economic livelihoods of the rural population especially women and children
2. To improve health and health care opportunities in Guatemala
3. To contribute towards the welfare of local schools and orphanages in rural areas of Guatemala

Activities

To achieve its activities, 4 The World Guatemala shall undertake the following activities:

1. Carry out a capacity building program for identified groups
2. Engage in volunteer and internship programs
3. Support rural healthcare clinics
4. Care and support to the elderly and vulnerable children such as orphans and children affected or living with HIV/AIDS
5. Assist in the education of children in rural areas
6. Work to improve access to health care in the rural areas.
7. Focus on empowering women and children.

A NEW PATH FOR CHANGE
4 THE WORLD GUATEMALA

The immediate task of 4 The World Guatemala is

a) Acquired a legal status under Guatemalan law
b) To establish a minimum functional office with at least one permanent staff
c) To identify three (03) priority areas in Guatemala where the need is great with a particular focus on women and children’s educations.
d) To develop a strategic plan framework for 4 The World Guatemala 2007 – 2010
e) To identify new or existing groups to work with as entry points
f) To conduct needs assessments and research development in order to identify the greatest needs in context of 4 The World USA model.
g) To provide the necessary resources (financial, technical, volunteers, material etc) for 4 The World Guatemala to undertake its activities.

Conclusion

It is expected that within phase 1 of the operation (2007 – 2010)

4 The World Guatemala will be able to work with our infrastructure to improve education in schools and orphanages in rural Guatemala. Implement a self perpetuating healthcare education practices in rural target communities.

Secondly, the health education will affect the livelihoods of 100,000’s of households in rural target communities shall be improved with a focus on HIV/AIDS, and the reduction of mosquito borne diseases by elimination of mosquitos with out the use of pesticides.

By so doing, 4 The World Guatemala shall be a formidable partner in empowering rural communities, alleviating poverty and disease control.