San Idelfonso Project, Guatemala

See the progress you helped make happen in your sponsored community

When the project started, only three in 10 children completed sixth grade and lack of health and hygiene knowledge led to high rates of childhood illness. Farmers lacked skills to earn a reliable income.

Thanks to your support, your sponsored child and other children in the San Ildefonso community have improved access to education, healthcare and nutritious food.

Together we've achieved so much

96 percent of children aged 7-13 are now attending school

This is up from 72 percent in 2009.

  • One classroom was built and two community libraries set up to support and encourage more children to enrol in and complete primary education.
  • A reading comprehension program has been implemented in 10 schools to help over 1,500 children improve their literacy skills.
  • The project has helped to establish nine early learning centres and train volunteer “guide mothers” how to run them.

A local network comprising health monitors, health promoters and midwives has been set up

This is helping to ensure that families can access health education and services.

  • In 2016, more than 1,300 children received health checks and immunisations and 982 received micronutrients.
  • Mothers and caregivers have learned about child health and nutrition and now to prepare healthy family meals.
  • Over 80 percent of families in the project area received water filters so they could treat their drinking water and reduce the risk of waterborne illnesses.

322 families received training and support to set up home fruit and vegetable gardens

This has helped them provide their children with a more reliable supply of nutritious food.

  • 150 farmers received training on how to prevent crop losses. In addition three community leaders have been trained to help farmers build 180 metal grain silos.
  • Families are working together to generate income through ventures including growing tomatoes in greenhouses, beekeeping, poultry raising, running plant nurseries and growing vegetables.
  • Self-help groups have been formed where women come together to save money and learn basic business and money management skills.

"Trained by World Vision, I now confidently teach and encourage other mothers to prepare meals with local ingredients to help their children recover from malnutrition."

- Margarita, nutrition program leader