This is a typical rural classroom in Guatemala. It is a mixture of mostly guatemalan and small percentage of mayan kids. Its actually quite big and not overcrowded. The kids are in school for 4 hours per day. They get a snack (local is hired to cook) and normal lessons in reading, writing etc (teachers are locally hired). However, they are always in need of school supplies and more. Plus, there is no school nurse in case something was to happen during school. The nearest clinic, when I visited was closed as the doctor was on a 1 month holiday and no relief. Any serious medical issues and villagers would have to go to bigger clinic in Puerto Barrios, which is 45 minutes away.
This is a new classroom building that was just finished a month ago. However, what you do not know is the building foundation and walls were funded by the Guatlemalan government 6 years ago. They funding never included a roof. The roof was completed 3 months ago and already has holes in it. The electrical lines and light fixtures have been ran in all the buildings but there is no power source yet. If and when the school gets funds, the process takes a long time.
The bathrooms are good for being in a rural setting, gravity flush toilets and tile, plus separate stalls. However, these were built 3 years ago and the doors are falling off and are right next to the cooking area. There is no sink, just a spiget that has water for kids to wash hands. No hand or paper towels, let alone soap.
The kitchen (comida) is a shack with 2 firebrick sections for making the snack. They use firewood for heat and put in pans, etc to make tortilas, chicken etc. However, the water source is also the spiget. The school president says the water is potable but no clear, sanitory source for the water.
This is a sign outside the village limits regarding the combination of a few agencies and government assistance. The total is Q138,000 Quetzals which is roughly $17,250 USD. If you notice the number of inhabitants, which is 3476, that equals about $4.96 per person. Local plantations in the village sell food and crafts to the local market in Puerto Barrios, but not only to help the school but also for their own families. There is only 3 such plantations that have a variety of products like pineapples, pimento chiles and bananas. To give you an example of how much they make, 200 lbs of the pimento chiles (dried) only equals $100 USD. There are many agencies and non-profit organizations that can assist but they can only do so much.
I am not saying you need to go out, quit your job and fly to Guatemala to offer your assistance. There is other ways to donate time, school supplies and also money. You see how much $5.00 does. Again, I am not saying you should call, "Save the Children" and donate your life savings. Things are being done, just know in 3rd world countries such as these, it happens at a far slower pace. Ironically, the US Military (looked like US Navy) was on site to assist in building a basketball court among other things. We may not be able to develop a tour that will help this village yet. I just want to let everyone know that a little help goes a long way in Guatemala.
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