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The
Rotary Club of Dartmouth has joined with the Guatemala Sur
Rotary Club in a project to improve the lives of more than
10,000 children in nine poor Mayan villages in Guatemala.
Guatemala has the lowest rate of literacy in Latin America,
mainly among the Mayan population. Poverty, malnutrition and
illiteracy are ongoing problems for the Mayan people in
Guatemala and present a significant challenge.
In January 2012 the project received a $155,000 USD Rotary
Foundation Global Grant to address water, sanitation and literacy in
nine Mayan villages in the Sumpango municipality of Guatemala.
Water and sanitation continues to be a serious problem causing
health issues and high absenteeism in schools. None of the schools
in these villages currently have adequate toilets or wash stations.
The goal of the project is to provide WASH (water, sanitation &
hygiene) stations for the schools, and to make available training in
basic hygiene for teachers and students.
Each village has a primary school but they cannot provide
appropriate education because of a lack of proper classroom
facilities and equipment. Another goal of the project is to supply
the necessary equipment and supplies to assist in delivering a good
education. The schools need desks, chairs, whiteboards, projection
equipment and books. These will all be made available through this
project.
Additionally, many of the schools’ kitchens are primitive and pose a
health hazard to those who prepare food for the children. Kitchens
will be upgraded to address this issue.
The Guatemala Sur Club has a long history of service to their
communities and the Rotary Club of Dartmouth is proud to partner
with them in this most worthwhile project.
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