San Juan Atitan Project, Guatemala

See the progress you helped make happen in your sponsored community

When the project started, farmers lacked resources to grow enough food. Health services were limited, education quality was poor and many parents were unaware of the importance of education.

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

Together we've achieved so much

A reading comprehension program has been implemented in 13 schools

This is helping over 3,000 children improve their literacy skills.

  • The project helped to establish early learning centres and train volunteer “guide mothers” how to run them.
  • Eight “Schools for Parents” were set up to raise awareness about the importance of education and to teach parents about ways they can support their children’s learning.
  • Buildings were renovated, libraries established and desks supplied to improve the learning environment at two schools. And over 3,900 students received schools supplies to support their learning.

A local health network has been set up

This network, comprising health monitors, health promoters and midwives, is helping to ensure that families can access health education and services.

  • The percentage of children aged below two who are fully immunised increased from 45 percent in 2011 to 84 percent in 2014.
  • Mothers and caregivers have learned about child nutrition and how to prepare healthy family meals by taking part in the “Heart Initiative”, an innovative nutritional recovery program for children aged below five.
  • 80 midwives have been trained and certified to provide antenatal and postnatal care for pregnant women in the community.

527 families received training and materials to set up food gardens

Families have also received support to raise egg-laying chickens to improve their children's diets.

  • Families are working together to generate income through ventures including potato farming, growing mushrooms and greenhouse tomatoes, plant nurseries, beekeeping and flower growing.
  • 100 families learned how to make organic fertiliser for their food gardens using household waste.
  • Young people have gained access to vocational skills training to improve their job prospects in fields including hairdressing and jewellery making.

"Children have gained weight, mothers are more aware about the importance of good health in children."

- Pedro, community health volunteer