Guatemala
In 2023
92,243
students benefit from quality education
3,381
teachers trained in our pedagogy
218
parents of aware schoolchildren
Significant Challenges in Education and Child Protection
Approximately 40% of Guatemala’s population is of Mayan origin. These communities are often marginalised, and this discrimination is particularly evident in education, which does not take their languages and culture into account. As a result, in economically and socially disadvantaged rural areas, where many Mayan communities live, many children do not speak Spanish, the main language of instruction, which hinders their academic success.
These children are also exposed to high levels of violence, both at home and in schools. There are many cases of physical and psychological abuse in schools.
That is why we are running two projects aimed not only at improving children’s educational attainment through teaching in their Mayan mother tongues, but also at creating a safe and protective educational environment for children, free from violence.
Sofia, pupil
Learning Spanish and Kaqchikel helps me understand better and do better at school.
Our Impact on the Field
We are changing the destiny of thousands of Mayan children. Here are the expected results for the period 2021-2024:
- Students receive a quality education in Mayan and Spanish, taking into account their culture;
- Teachers are trained in bilingual education and teaching methods that enable every child to participate and progress, as well as in the promotion of non-violent behaviour;
- School principals and parents are made aware of children’s rights, how to identify forms of violence and how to protect or help children who are victims of violence.
Helping Mayan Children Learn Better
We train teachers and create bilingual textbooks for schools in the Q’eqchi’ and Kaqchikel Mayan language communities as part of our bilingual and intercultural education programme.
Learn more
Protecting Children from Violence
We train teachers and parents to recognise the warning signs of child abuse and teach teachers how to reduce violence in schools by promoting harmonious relationships between children.
Learn more
Flood Emergency in Guatemala
In October and November 2020, hurricanes ETA and IOTA struck Guatemala. The department of Alta Verapaz suffered severe flooding. Since January 2021, Enfants du Monde has been providing food and psychological support to 400 families with 1,200 children in 14 communities.
Learn moreLatest News
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Contact our Team
In Guatemala
Enfants du Monde
c/o CIPREVICA
12 calle 1-48, Zona 10, Edificio Pivaral, 6to nivel,
Ciudad de Guatemala,
Guatemala
Maria Balaguer, regional coordinator
Phone : + (+502) 42 06 49 54
Email :alat@edm.ch
In Switzerland
Enfants du Monde
Route de Ferney 150, CP 2100
1211 Genève 2, Suisse
Phone : +41 22 798 88 81
Email : info@edm.ch
Simone Arcila, Latine America Programme Manager
My Donation can Make a Difference
I offer a bilingual textbook in Spanish and Mayan to 250 students in Guatemala.
I’m financing 7 educational radio programmes for pupils who can no longer go to school in Guatemala.
I finance continuing professional training in bilingual education for 17 teachers in Guatemala to improve the quality of their lessons.
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