Guatemala

Why World Vision is in Guatemala


Like the rest of the world, Guatemala was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economic impact on families, especially those who depended on informal labor, was severe. Families faced difficulty getting food and clean water, increasing kids’ malnutrition and illness, and students in rural areas often weren’t able to continue their studies. On top of the pandemic’s challenges, Hurricanes Eta and Iota hit Guatemala in the fall, destroying crops, homes, and infrastructure. Women and children in particular became more vulnerable to exploitation in the wake of the hurricanes’ devastation. Thanks to strong support, many children and families in need got access to the food and hygiene supplies to weather the pandemic. We advocated with the government to promote child protection and spread awareness among families about the risks of exploitation. Youth and entrepreneurs are receiving job training and financial support so they can restart their careers, and children’s faith is being strengthened through groups focused on resilience and emotional health. In the aftermath of the hurricanes, we reached the most affected areas with immediate and ongoing assistance, especially malnutrition treatment for young kids.

We never give up on people

World Vision child sponsorship looks at all the things that prevent children from surviving and thriving in their community, and then works with that community to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a better life for all children. For sponsors, it’s a personal way to show God’s love to a child in need in a life-changing way.

Sponsor a child in Guatemala ❯

Guatemala Economic Dev
Guatemala Faith
Guatemala Child Protection

Prayer Requests from Guatemala

World Vision's staff in Guatemala are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:

  • For children who have lost the opportunity to study and for those who suffer from domestic violence or are victims of trafficking.

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  • That the effects of this rainy season aren’t as severe as last year, and that families are prepared to face the storms that come.

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News from Guatemala

From the Field

The blessing chain

Animals provided in Guatemala through World Vision’s Gift Catalog program keep on giving after the initial gift. Through a program called Pasando la Bendición, or Passing the Blessing, more families in need receive animals that provide them with reliable nutrition and income.

From the Field

Finding their worth through making chocolate

A group of Guatemalan women in a World Vision savings group had big dreams. Together and with the support of World Vision and their community, they learned how to manufacture and sell chocolate to help provide for their families. In the process, they’re also learning their own worth.