146.5mm FLAP
148.5mm BACK
Challenge and change in Guatemala
Real progress
Guatemala faces increasing levels of violence and crime, fuelled by extreme poverty, inequality, and a weak judicial system. Indigenous groups, who make up half the population, particularly suffer from discrimination and poverty. Nationally, half of all under-fives have stunted growth due to malnutrition, and only a quarter of children attend secondary school.
With the support of Plan, children and adults in Guatemala are working together to develop their communities and claim their right to a better future. And real progress is being made. Last year, our work included:
Plan’s priorities are education, health, nutrition, sanitation, education, and helping families to improve their incomes and have enough to eat.
• Reconstructing 21 schools and 16 health
Violence and child abuse are widespread so child protection is also crucial. We encourage children to take part in decisions that affect their lives and support local government to promote children’s rights. In this Country Progress Report, we take an in-depth look at one project Plan is supporting which helps children who have been abused.
Plan is en couraging child ren to speak ou mistreatment t about and abuse to politicians and decision make other rs
• Providing basic health services for children and women in 328 communities, this year treating 6,463 pregnant women, 3,979 newborns and 6,733 children under one year old
• Helping to draw up new proposals on penal reform regarding mistreatment and sexual abuse of children, which are awaiting approval by the Guatemalan Congress.
Guatemala country facts Population: 14.6 million
Adults who can read and write: 69%
Capital: Guatemala City
Children under five who are underweight: 23%
So on behalf of the children and communities we work with, thank you to all our sponsors!
(Sources: the UN, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office)
Children aged 5 to 14 involved in child labour: 24% Plan UKReport on Plan programs in Guatemala for the year ended June 2007
GTM
Any enquiries please contact: Nick Burton. e: nick@bright-uk.com m: 07884 367567. d: 020 7620 8150 Size (Prod)
Colours(Prod)
Admagic No: Bright No: Client name: File name: Date: Size: Studio proof: Art (A/D)
Guatemala
Plan’s greatest successes come from a joint effort combining the hard work and determination of communities, children, volunteers, staff, and partner organisations. The ongoing support of our sponsors is a vital ingredient, too. It’s their generosity and commitment that allows us to continue to help children in 49 of the poorest countries in the world.
Youth councils are helping children to play an active role in decision making in thei r communities
UN Human Development Index ranking: 118th (of 177 countries)
centres destroyed by Hurricane Stan, and developing plans with 39 communities and 42 schools to reduce risks of future disasters
148.5mm FRONT
0407 100647 PLAN 0407_Guatamala 28.11.07 210x443.5mm FOLD TO A5 3 Client proof: 2 Copy (C/W)
Content (Acc.)
Country Progress Report 2007
146.5mm FLAP
148.5mm BACK
Challenge and change in Guatemala
Real progress
Guatemala faces increasing levels of violence and crime, fuelled by extreme poverty, inequality, and a weak judicial system. Indigenous groups, who make up half the population, particularly suffer from discrimination and poverty. Nationally, half of all under-fives have stunted growth due to malnutrition, and only a quarter of children attend secondary school.
With the support of Plan, children and adults in Guatemala are working together to develop their communities and claim their right to a better future. And real progress is being made. Last year, our work included:
Plan’s priorities are education, health, nutrition, sanitation, education, and helping families to improve their incomes and have enough to eat.
• Reconstructing 21 schools and 16 health
Violence and child abuse are widespread so child protection is also crucial. We encourage children to take part in decisions that affect their lives and support local government to promote children’s rights. In this Country Progress Report, we take an in-depth look at one project Plan is supporting which helps children who have been abused.
Plan is en couraging child ren to speak ou mistreatment t about and abuse to politicians and decision make other rs
• Providing basic health services for children and women in 328 communities, this year treating 6,463 pregnant women, 3,979 newborns and 6,733 children under one year old
• Helping to draw up new proposals on penal reform regarding mistreatment and sexual abuse of children, which are awaiting approval by the Guatemalan Congress.
Guatemala country facts Population: 14.6 million
Adults who can read and write: 69%
Capital: Guatemala City
Children under five who are underweight: 23%
So on behalf of the children and communities we work with, thank you to all our sponsors!
(Sources: the UN, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office)
Children aged 5 to 14 involved in child labour: 24% Plan UKReport on Plan programs in Guatemala for the year ended June 2007
GTM
Any enquiries please contact: Nick Burton. e: nick@bright-uk.com m: 07884 367567. d: 020 7620 8150 Size (Prod)
Colours(Prod)
Admagic No: Bright No: Client name: File name: Date: Size: Studio proof: Art (A/D)
Guatemala
Plan’s greatest successes come from a joint effort combining the hard work and determination of communities, children, volunteers, staff, and partner organisations. The ongoing support of our sponsors is a vital ingredient, too. It’s their generosity and commitment that allows us to continue to help children in 49 of the poorest countries in the world.
Youth councils are helping children to play an active role in decision making in thei r communities
UN Human Development Index ranking: 118th (of 177 countries)
centres destroyed by Hurricane Stan, and developing plans with 39 communities and 42 schools to reduce risks of future disasters
148.5mm FRONT
0407 100647 PLAN 0407_Guatamala 28.11.07 210x443.5mm FOLD TO A5 3 Client proof: 2 Copy (C/W)
Content (Acc.)
Country Progress Report 2007
148.5mm INSIDE
Sanctuary and safety Linda is always happy to talk about Juan, her one year old son: “I love watching him eating and getting food all over his face and hair. Then I give him a bath: that’s the part I like best about taking care of him.”
found out that her stepfather had made her pregnant and she knew Linda had to leave that family environment. Leaving home and being away from her mother for the first time were very difficult for her.” The girls receive psychological support to help them come to terms with their experiences, and practical training in skills like baking and sewing to enable them to earn a living. “Linda is very interested in baking; she’s a very responsible girl,” says Chadia. They also finish their school studies, learn how to take care of their children and help with day-to-day chores like laundry and cleaning.
When she talks, Linda sounds like any other proud mother, but she has been through a great deal. She’s only 13 and Juan was born after she was raped by her stepfather two years ago. Now, after a year living at a Plan-supported refuge for young mothers affected by violence, she and Juan are ready to return home to her mother. Linda lives in Guatemala City at a home run by Casa Alianza, which supports vulnerable young people living on the street or in high-risk situations. Violence, sexual abuse and incest are widespread in Guatemala, and many girls like Linda seek protection, as well as other children who have suffered violence and abuse. Plan and Casa Alianza work together to help teenagers rebuild their lives and help young mothers look forward to a future with their children. The project provides simple things that are in tragically short supply for abused children in Guatemala: a safe home, psychological support, and practical training.
148.5mm INSIDE
girls don’t admit the problem,” says Chadia. During this phase they stay inside the home. The second stage is an acknowledgement phase, when girls begin to study, take part in activities, and have greater freedom. Lastly, during independent community therapy, they start becoming independent, find work, save money and prepare to leave the home.
“At first I was afraid even to bathe my baby… I was shown how to take care of him and play with him. Now he crawls all over the house and loves playing with toys.”
Linda
Rebuilding lives Linda’s story shows how this project can change lives. She came to live at Casa Alianza when she was only 11 years old and pregnant, and found it hard at first. “I felt really strange,” she says, “but after a few days the other girls began asking me to join in with what they were doing, and I got used to being here.” Linda’s psychologist, Chadia, says: “Her aunt brought her because she
The enormous effort that Linda is making to care for her son is clear, despite the fact that her own childhood that has been interrupted. “At first I was afraid even to bathe my baby,” she remembers, laughing. “I was shown how to take care of him and play with him. Now he crawls all over the house and loves playing with toys.”
Step by step The girls’ time in the home falls into three phases. During the two month integration phase, Linda protected her attacker, hiding his identity. “At first,
After her year at Casa Alianza, Linda has made great progress in her selfesteem and her perception of what happened to her, now clearly defining it as rape. She and her mother have started a criminal case against her stepfather. She’s happy about going back to her mother: “I very much want to return, but I am also very sad because I have a lot of people I love here. I’ve received a lot of protection, friendship and support.” Juan has just celebrated his first birthday with a small party at his grandmother’s house, and Linda is full
146.5mm INSIDE
of optimism for their future. Although young, she’s very clear about what she wants to achieve: “I would like to work with children, but I don’t want to have more children. I would like for Juan to be very smart when he grows up, and to learn to respect others and to study.”
“I’ve received a lot of protection, friendship and support.”
Linda and Juan
The bigger picture Supporting teenage mothers is just one part of Plan and Casa Alianza’s partnership. We’re also working to prevent violence and support victims. Levels of violence in homes and on the streets have risen alarmingly in recent years, with women, children and young people particularly affected. Organised youth gangs are on the increase with an estimated 80,000 members. We help boys stay out of gangs and help girls protect themselves. Raising awareness is vital. On this year’s Day of Non-Violence Towards Children, a press conference was attended by the President of Congress, government
representatives and the media. Five young people from Casa Alianza spoke about the violence they’ve experienced and how the legal and judicial systems remain indifferent to these problems. Plan and Casa Alianza will continue to help young mothers like Linda, and other teenagers whose lives have been devastated by violence and abuse, to rebuild their lives and have a future that they can look forward to. Some names have been changed for privacy and child protection reasons.
148.5mm INSIDE
Sanctuary and safety Linda is always happy to talk about Juan, her one year old son: “I love watching him eating and getting food all over his face and hair. Then I give him a bath: that’s the part I like best about taking care of him.”
found out that her stepfather had made her pregnant and she knew Linda had to leave that family environment. Leaving home and being away from her mother for the first time were very difficult for her.” The girls receive psychological support to help them come to terms with their experiences, and practical training in skills like baking and sewing to enable them to earn a living. “Linda is very interested in baking; she’s a very responsible girl,” says Chadia. They also finish their school studies, learn how to take care of their children and help with day-to-day chores like laundry and cleaning.
When she talks, Linda sounds like any other proud mother, but she has been through a great deal. She’s only 13 and Juan was born after she was raped by her stepfather two years ago. Now, after a year living at a Plan-supported refuge for young mothers affected by violence, she and Juan are ready to return home to her mother. Linda lives in Guatemala City at a home run by Casa Alianza, which supports vulnerable young people living on the street or in high-risk situations. Violence, sexual abuse and incest are widespread in Guatemala, and many girls like Linda seek protection, as well as other children who have suffered violence and abuse. Plan and Casa Alianza work together to help teenagers rebuild their lives and help young mothers look forward to a future with their children. The project provides simple things that are in tragically short supply for abused children in Guatemala: a safe home, psychological support, and practical training.
148.5mm INSIDE
girls don’t admit the problem,” says Chadia. During this phase they stay inside the home. The second stage is an acknowledgement phase, when girls begin to study, take part in activities, and have greater freedom. Lastly, during independent community therapy, they start becoming independent, find work, save money and prepare to leave the home.
“At first I was afraid even to bathe my baby… I was shown how to take care of him and play with him. Now he crawls all over the house and loves playing with toys.”
Linda
Rebuilding lives Linda’s story shows how this project can change lives. She came to live at Casa Alianza when she was only 11 years old and pregnant, and found it hard at first. “I felt really strange,” she says, “but after a few days the other girls began asking me to join in with what they were doing, and I got used to being here.” Linda’s psychologist, Chadia, says: “Her aunt brought her because she
The enormous effort that Linda is making to care for her son is clear, despite the fact that her own childhood that has been interrupted. “At first I was afraid even to bathe my baby,” she remembers, laughing. “I was shown how to take care of him and play with him. Now he crawls all over the house and loves playing with toys.”
Step by step The girls’ time in the home falls into three phases. During the two month integration phase, Linda protected her attacker, hiding his identity. “At first,
After her year at Casa Alianza, Linda has made great progress in her selfesteem and her perception of what happened to her, now clearly defining it as rape. She and her mother have started a criminal case against her stepfather. She’s happy about going back to her mother: “I very much want to return, but I am also very sad because I have a lot of people I love here. I’ve received a lot of protection, friendship and support.” Juan has just celebrated his first birthday with a small party at his grandmother’s house, and Linda is full
146.5mm INSIDE
of optimism for their future. Although young, she’s very clear about what she wants to achieve: “I would like to work with children, but I don’t want to have more children. I would like for Juan to be very smart when he grows up, and to learn to respect others and to study.”
“I’ve received a lot of protection, friendship and support.”
Linda and Juan
The bigger picture Supporting teenage mothers is just one part of Plan and Casa Alianza’s partnership. We’re also working to prevent violence and support victims. Levels of violence in homes and on the streets have risen alarmingly in recent years, with women, children and young people particularly affected. Organised youth gangs are on the increase with an estimated 80,000 members. We help boys stay out of gangs and help girls protect themselves. Raising awareness is vital. On this year’s Day of Non-Violence Towards Children, a press conference was attended by the President of Congress, government
representatives and the media. Five young people from Casa Alianza spoke about the violence they’ve experienced and how the legal and judicial systems remain indifferent to these problems. Plan and Casa Alianza will continue to help young mothers like Linda, and other teenagers whose lives have been devastated by violence and abuse, to rebuild their lives and have a future that they can look forward to. Some names have been changed for privacy and child protection reasons.
148.5mm INSIDE
Sanctuary and safety Linda is always happy to talk about Juan, her one year old son: “I love watching him eating and getting food all over his face and hair. Then I give him a bath: that’s the part I like best about taking care of him.”
found out that her stepfather had made her pregnant and she knew Linda had to leave that family environment. Leaving home and being away from her mother for the first time were very difficult for her.” The girls receive psychological support to help them come to terms with their experiences, and practical training in skills like baking and sewing to enable them to earn a living. “Linda is very interested in baking; she’s a very responsible girl,” says Chadia. They also finish their school studies, learn how to take care of their children and help with day-to-day chores like laundry and cleaning.
When she talks, Linda sounds like any other proud mother, but she has been through a great deal. She’s only 13 and Juan was born after she was raped by her stepfather two years ago. Now, after a year living at a Plan-supported refuge for young mothers affected by violence, she and Juan are ready to return home to her mother. Linda lives in Guatemala City at a home run by Casa Alianza, which supports vulnerable young people living on the street or in high-risk situations. Violence, sexual abuse and incest are widespread in Guatemala, and many girls like Linda seek protection, as well as other children who have suffered violence and abuse. Plan and Casa Alianza work together to help teenagers rebuild their lives and help young mothers look forward to a future with their children. The project provides simple things that are in tragically short supply for abused children in Guatemala: a safe home, psychological support, and practical training.
148.5mm INSIDE
girls don’t admit the problem,” says Chadia. During this phase they stay inside the home. The second stage is an acknowledgement phase, when girls begin to study, take part in activities, and have greater freedom. Lastly, during independent community therapy, they start becoming independent, find work, save money and prepare to leave the home.
“At first I was afraid even to bathe my baby… I was shown how to take care of him and play with him. Now he crawls all over the house and loves playing with toys.”
Linda
Rebuilding lives Linda’s story shows how this project can change lives. She came to live at Casa Alianza when she was only 11 years old and pregnant, and found it hard at first. “I felt really strange,” she says, “but after a few days the other girls began asking me to join in with what they were doing, and I got used to being here.” Linda’s psychologist, Chadia, says: “Her aunt brought her because she
The enormous effort that Linda is making to care for her son is clear, despite the fact that her own childhood that has been interrupted. “At first I was afraid even to bathe my baby,” she remembers, laughing. “I was shown how to take care of him and play with him. Now he crawls all over the house and loves playing with toys.”
Step by step The girls’ time in the home falls into three phases. During the two month integration phase, Linda protected her attacker, hiding his identity. “At first,
After her year at Casa Alianza, Linda has made great progress in her selfesteem and her perception of what happened to her, now clearly defining it as rape. She and her mother have started a criminal case against her stepfather. She’s happy about going back to her mother: “I very much want to return, but I am also very sad because I have a lot of people I love here. I’ve received a lot of protection, friendship and support.” Juan has just celebrated his first birthday with a small party at his grandmother’s house, and Linda is full
146.5mm INSIDE
of optimism for their future. Although young, she’s very clear about what she wants to achieve: “I would like to work with children, but I don’t want to have more children. I would like for Juan to be very smart when he grows up, and to learn to respect others and to study.”
“I’ve received a lot of protection, friendship and support.”
Linda and Juan
The bigger picture Supporting teenage mothers is just one part of Plan and Casa Alianza’s partnership. We’re also working to prevent violence and support victims. Levels of violence in homes and on the streets have risen alarmingly in recent years, with women, children and young people particularly affected. Organised youth gangs are on the increase with an estimated 80,000 members. We help boys stay out of gangs and help girls protect themselves. Raising awareness is vital. On this year’s Day of Non-Violence Towards Children, a press conference was attended by the President of Congress, government
representatives and the media. Five young people from Casa Alianza spoke about the violence they’ve experienced and how the legal and judicial systems remain indifferent to these problems. Plan and Casa Alianza will continue to help young mothers like Linda, and other teenagers whose lives have been devastated by violence and abuse, to rebuild their lives and have a future that they can look forward to. Some names have been changed for privacy and child protection reasons.
146.5mm FLAP
148.5mm BACK
Challenge and change in Guatemala
Real progress
Guatemala faces increasing levels of violence and crime, fuelled by extreme poverty, inequality, and a weak judicial system. Indigenous groups, who make up half the population, particularly suffer from discrimination and poverty. Nationally, half of all under-fives have stunted growth due to malnutrition, and only a quarter of children attend secondary school.
With the support of Plan, children and adults in Guatemala are working together to develop their communities and claim their right to a better future. And real progress is being made. Last year, our work included:
Plan’s priorities are education, health, nutrition, sanitation, education, and helping families to improve their incomes and have enough to eat.
• Reconstructing 21 schools and 16 health
Violence and child abuse are widespread so child protection is also crucial. We encourage children to take part in decisions that affect their lives and support local government to promote children’s rights. In this Country Progress Report, we take an in-depth look at one project Plan is supporting which helps children who have been abused.
Plan is en couraging child ren to speak ou mistreatment t about and abuse to politicians and decision make other rs
• Providing basic health services for children and women in 328 communities, this year treating 6,463 pregnant women, 3,979 newborns and 6,733 children under one year old
• Helping to draw up new proposals on penal reform regarding mistreatment and sexual abuse of children, which are awaiting approval by the Guatemalan Congress.
Guatemala country facts Population: 14.6 million
Adults who can read and write: 69%
Capital: Guatemala City
Children under five who are underweight: 23%
So on behalf of the children and communities we work with, thank you to all our sponsors!
(Sources: the UN, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office)
Children aged 5 to 14 involved in child labour: 24% Plan UKReport on Plan programs in Guatemala for the year ended June 2007
GTM
Any enquiries please contact: Nick Burton. e: nick@bright-uk.com m: 07884 367567. d: 020 7620 8150 Size (Prod)
Colours(Prod)
Admagic No: Bright No: Client name: File name: Date: Size: Studio proof: Art (A/D)
Guatemala
Plan’s greatest successes come from a joint effort combining the hard work and determination of communities, children, volunteers, staff, and partner organisations. The ongoing support of our sponsors is a vital ingredient, too. It’s their generosity and commitment that allows us to continue to help children in 49 of the poorest countries in the world.
Youth councils are helping children to play an active role in decision making in thei r communities
UN Human Development Index ranking: 118th (of 177 countries)
centres destroyed by Hurricane Stan, and developing plans with 39 communities and 42 schools to reduce risks of future disasters
148.5mm FRONT
0407 100647 PLAN 0407_Guatamala 28.11.07 210x443.5mm FOLD TO A5 3 Client proof: 2 Copy (C/W)
Content (Acc.)
Country Progress Report 2007