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Why guatemala?
In Guatemala, where 59% of the population lives below the national poverty line, socioeconomic status is one of the biggest barriers to accessing quality education (World Bank 2014).
The average length of schooling for a Guatemalan child is only four years and 19% of the population is illiterate (US Aid 2014; World Bank 2018).
Pencils of Promise works with 255 communities in Guatemala to ensure students overcome these, and other, barriers to accessing quality education. Currently, PoP is impacting over 47,000 students in Guatemala.
Suchitepéquez Department
Suchitepéquez, commonly called “Suchi” by locals, lies southeast of our headquarters in Quetzaltenango. Pencils of Promise expanded here in early 2012, with our regional office located in the capital of Mazatenango.
Suchitepéquez harvests a variety of fruits and coffee (and some of the best chocolate in the region), and the climate is much more tropical than the other areas in which we work due to its lower altitude and proximity to the Pacific Ocean. There are approximately 600,000 residents of the department, and the languages that are spoken here are Spanish, K’iche, Tz’utujil and Kaqchikel.
Deseret Trust Company's Impact in Suchitepéquez Department
Barrios I, Sector IV previously had major damages to the infrastructure, including the roof, support structure and flooring that hindered a safe and effective learning environment.
PoP partnered with the Suchitepequez community to build a school complete with new and repaired classrooms and 5 washable toilets. Upon completion of the school, PoP gathered with the community to celebrate with an inauguration ceremony.
The new Barrios I, Sector IV school will provide a high-quality learning environment where every child can reach their unique potential.
Barrios I, Sector IV
MADE POSSIBLE BY:
Deseret Trust Company
BREAK GROUND:
09/2021
COMPLETED:
12/2021
