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| | Promoting gender equality and human rights | | | PROGRAM IN BRIEF: | | Continent: | Central America |  | | Development Areas: | Gender Equality | | | Human Rights | | | Education | | YCA Focused MDG: | Number 3; Gender Equality & Human Rights
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| | PROGRAM OVERVIEW: | | | | In Guatemala, Youth Challenge Australia (YCA) works alongside the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and rural communities towards the empowerment of women, human rights, education and equality. Since 2006, YCA has been working with the most in-need communities in Guatemala. YCA’s projects in Guatemala are identified by the communities themselves and each individual project is different. YCA seeks to work with a multi-cultural team on our Guatemala program where we engage in numerous activities around capacity building with local community associations, human rights conferences, art and craft workshops, health and education initiatives and also micro finance projects. Guatemala is considered a developing country that, at present, faces many social problems and is among the 10 poorest countries in Latin America. In recent times, Guatemala has begun to develop independently with a change in government and through establishing a free trade agreement with the United States of America. The nation still faces several challenges, including social and infrastructure development in rural areas, access to clean water and education across the country. In addition, equality among Indigenous and non-Indigenous Guatemalans also warrants development, as 50% of the population of Guatemala is Indigenous to the country. The conservation of environment also plays a crucial role for the nation, as ecotourism is an increasing source of revenue for Guatemalan communities and families. YCA’s Guatemala program is focused on providing individuals, families and communities with the opportunity to both learn and share experiences, culture and ideas by working together on project which will positively impact those involved. YCA continues to work in collaboration with Reto Juvenil International (RJI) to identify and support numerous communities that require assistance in Guatemala and to work with them towards a sustainable future. | | | | | GET INVOLVED: | | | YCA aims to support Guatemalan communities through assisting them to build capacity and ensure a progressive and prosperous environment for future generations. Engagement of the Guatemala program involves an opportunity to work towards issues of gender equality, educational, environmental sustainability, health, sport, language development and/ or youth work whilst experiencing the rich cultural heritage and remote living conditions which make up life in the region. YCA seeks to assist the Guatemalan people to make positive impact on their community by working with them on community identified projects. YCA supports the change these communities seek for their own future. Guatemala projects seek to offer an eye-opening experience for those who support the program, inside the Mayan heartland of Central America. Guatemala is a country of rich culture and a beautiful natural environment, in dire need of assistance. We aim to assist these communities to make a small contribution to achieving Guatemala’s long-term development goals of sustainability and prosperity. By getting involved you will be able to learn more and experience the lives of the Guatemalan people first hand and contribute to improving the experience of women living and working in Guatemala. | | | |  | | | | | COUNTRY PROFILE: | | Location:
| Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico and boardering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize. | | Capital: | Guatemala City | | Population: | 13.3 million (2009 EST) | | Language/s: | Spanish | | Human Development Index: |
122/182 | | Life Expectancy: | 70.29 years | | Infant Mortality: | 30.1 in 1000 births | | Adult Literacy Rate: | 69.1% | | Population living below the national poverty line: |
56.2% | | Climate: | Tropical, hot and humid lowlands; cooler in highlands. | Government:
| Presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Guatemala is both head of state and head of government. | | | 
| | | | | | | | PAST GUATEMALA PROJECT: | | | | | | Year: | 2008 | | Location: | Nueva Alianza, El Palmar, Quezaltenango | | Project Length: | 6 weeks | | Project Goal: | Capacity building with the community towards gender equality, education and sustainable employment. | | Youth Participants: | 8 participants | | Direct Beneficiaries: | Women of working age in the community & youth between 12 – 25y/o | | In-Direct Beneficiaries: | 350 people within the 40 families of Nueva Alianza. | | | This project worked to improve the community-owned hotel by constructing new bathrooms, trails and painting the hotel, giving the hotel more personality and appeal for tourists to stay at the hotel. The team also worked with the community in promotional and marketing activities for the hotel. The team worked on delivering English classes to hotel staff and people in the community, to develop their language skills and confidence in their respective environments. The team conducted a health conference, highlighting on issues surrounding safe sex, HIV/AIDS and STIs to educate the youth within the community. The group encouraged and facilitated opportunities for the community to participate and be involved in the preparations of cultural interchange activities, such as Australia Day celebrations and cooking days to share culture and . | | | | | | | | | | Click here for Guatemala Photo Gallery | | | | | | | | | | |
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