Guatemala

The Mayan civilization flourished in Guatemala during the first millennium C.E. and its culture remains prevalent. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year civil war. In 1996 the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the conflict, which left more than 100,000 people dead and created 1 million refugees.

Guatemala is the largest and most populous of Central American countries, with a per capita income of $4,900. The economy is driven by agricultural exports, which account for half of Guatemala’s jobs. Income remains highly unequal, with 56% of people living below the poverty line.

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Guatemala News

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BACKGROUND:

Population:
13,029,000
Languages:
Spanish and Mayan dialects
Per capita income:
$5,120
Life expectancy:
65/71
Under-five mortality rate:
41/1,000 live births
Sources: UNICEF and UNESCO

 

 

Guatemala's challenges and success

Water and Sanitation

According to official government statistics, a solid majority of Guatemalans have access to improved water and sanitation. But those working on the ground in rural areas would argue that these numbers are inflated and that the situation is much worse.

Guatemala is divided into 21 departments, similar to states. Water For People concentrates almost all its efforts in one of these, the department of Quiché, northwest of Guatemala City. According to 2002 census data, 29% of people in Quiché did not have access to a piped water supply and 38% lacked access to a latrine. However, these statistics do not accurately portray Quiché’s water and sanitation problems.

For example, water systems in even larger towns function only intermittently and people must often obtain water from tanker trucks. Fortunately, rural Quiché is blessed with numerous hillside springs that, with the help of organizations like Water For People, can be converted to safe community water supplies. Most of the urban areas in Quiché have sewer systems, but there is no sewage treatment and the raw wastewater is dumped directly into streams. In rural areas, sanitation is limited to latrines.

Improved water and sanitation services alone will not break the cycle of water-related disease. People must adopt improved hygiene practices such as hand-washing and learn the connection between hygiene and health.

Water For People in Guatemala

Water For People began working in Guatemalan communities in 1992. In 2009, Water For People supported 31 rural communities and 35 schools in the department of Quiché, including improving access to water for 10,942 people and sanitation for 6,374 people. In 2010 Water For People will support 65 communities.

A typical Guatemalan project includes a protected spring and a gravity-fed water system, including a storage tank, underground distribution system, and tap stands at each household. Water For People also works with partners to construct latrines and is piloting rain catchment systems. In all projects, community members contribute their ideas, labor, and cash and provide funds for ongoing maintenance. All projects in Guatemala include a hygiene education component.

Water For People works with multiple Guatemalan partner organizations, including municipal governments and nongovernmental organizations. Consistent with Water For People’s model, field partners manage the projects and gain valuable experience and the skills to help them develop future water systems independently.

 


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