Children’s Education & Sponsorship
On average, indigenous boys in Guatemala will attend school for 4 years. Indigenous girls, will only attend for 1.8 years.
About 25% of the country’s population is illiterate, and 50% live below the poverty line and are malnourished. In the remote Mayan village of Todos Santos, Guatemala, extreme poverty has forced children to quite school to begin working to support their families. In turn, lower levels of education increase public health concerns and create critical disconnections between people and the information they need to keep themselves and their animals healthy.
Holistic support for continued education
Since 2015, The GAAP has connected individuals from around the world with local students in Todos Santos through our Family Sponsorship Program. The program supports the students through a holistic approach that invests in these young people as individuals who have the power to improve the health of their community (explore another aspect of the community of Todos Santos through our Telemedicine program). Each of the sponsored students has monthly check-ins with a local team member, including communication with their families,
discussion of general health habits and indicators, and contact with school personnel. While providing financial assistance alleviates the need for the kids to work and provides them the freedom to continue their education, our program also strengthens the network around each of these incredible young people so that they receive the support they need to grow, both in and out of school. Access to education is one of the clearest paths to a healthier world, and we are so proud to play a small
role in building connections that lay the foundation for students to make the most of their learning experiences while also improving the trajectory of their health and the health of their families and community. But our goal is not yet realized. Children should not have to choose food and shelter over school. We want them to be comfortable enough to feel free to love learning and to dream of a better tomorrow, but we need your help to continue ensuring education is part of their lives.
Then
When we first met Roxana in Todos Santos during a veterinary campaign, she had been forced to leave school in order to work to help support her family. She was 15. More than anything, Roxana wanted a chance to continue her education. She felt trapped by the need to work, and she could not see an opportunity to improve her future without finishing school.
Now
Thanks to the generosity of people like you, Roxana is just one of the young people in Todos Santos that was able to return to school thanks to our generous sponsors. And she has taken full advantage of it! She recently graduated a technical program in industrial maintenance, exceeding all expectations in a male-dominated field. This achievement, combined with Roxana’s desire to continue her education even further, is a testament to the life-changing impacts that are possible when opportunity meets hard work and perseverance.
How does childhood education relate to One Health?
Education is one key factor to improving the health of a community. When kids can focus on learning, building skills, and knowing themselves better, they are more fully equipped to make responsible decisions. In turn, they create healthier habits involving animals, the environment, and their fellow humans, and the well-being of the entire community increases.
