NEWSLETTER
MARCH 2021
Since the COVID Pandemic started in March last year Niños del Lago has closely followed its worldwide consequences. The knock-on social and economic results have affected every country in the world, however, it is undeniable that in developing countries, like Guatemala, the consequences are potentially devastating in many respects. Allow me to share with you what the reality is in our beloved Guatemala.
Niños del Lago, Journey to the Forest Program, September 2019
Niños del Lago, Journey to the Forest Program, September 2019
GUATEMALA DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC
At the beginning of the Pandemic, as a preventive measure, Guatemala went into total shutdown. In March 2020 it was decided the best course of action was the following: close all borders; impose a strict curfew; limit traffic; stop public transport; and also close schools, universities, local markets, non-essential stores, restaurants, hotels, etc.
In response to this and the economic effect it had on families losing their jobs and being unable to travel to buy and/or sell, Niños del Lago decided to create a Food-Aid Program. This program ran from April to October 2020, thanks to the fantastic and generous contributions of our donors. We distributed 1,200 Food-Aid Packages in total, reaching up to 4,400 family members.
Images of our Food Aid Program, COVID-Response, from April to October 2020
GUATEMALA CHILDREN IN 2021
Some of the recent changes announced and consequences affecting children, as a result of the pandemic are:
- Some classes resumed on February 15, 2021 after 11 months of being closed. Others are continuing to open depending on the number of actie cases of COVID in the local area.
- Classes will be hybrid with 2-3 contact days and the rest being distance learning.
- Face-to-face classes may be canceled depending on the cases of COVID in each area.
- Child labor has increased as families are forced to look for alternatives to compensate fot the loss of income. (ILO 2021).
- An increase in school dropouts, at all levels of the educational system. (ILO, 2021).
Sadly, all these issues will impact Guatemalan children and their day to day lives. Niños del Lago is trying hard to keep up with these ever-changing situations, so that we can fulfill our Mission, and find the very best ways to do so. It is not an easy task, but we are endeavoring to do the very best that we can… with your help!
OUR PROGRAMS 2021
Journey to the Forest
“Children who already showed a fragile bond with school could feel more unmotivated and become an especially vulnerable group to drop out of school when the economic impact hits. The interest in going back to school could be much lower among more vulnerable or struggling students if they feel they will not be abre to catch up due to the closure and if schools do not provide entensive support through remedial classes”.
World Bank Group (May 2020)
We know that our “Journey to the Forest” program will help alleviate the diverse psychological effects of the pandemic on children and we fervently want to be able to welcome children back into our facilities as soon as it is safe for them and government regulations allow. We believe that our Mission, wich is focuded on disadvantaged and vulnerable Guatemalan children, will be particularly important to encourage them to continue their studies and help them overcome the consequences of insolation due to the pandemic. However, it is with much regret that our traditional “Journey to the Forest” camp is suspended until further notice, due to government COVID regulations.
Images of our Journey to the Forest Camp Program, November 2019
BUT OUR WORK DOES NOT STOP!
OUR NEW PROJECTS FOR 2021
Accordin to UNICEF reports (June 2020), “Access to technology and materials necessary to continue studying while schools remain closed is notably unequal. Similarly, children who do not have enough help to study at home have little means to facilitate their education. It is essential to provide a diversity of educational tools and expand internet access for each school and for each child”.
We have been in contact with schools and community authorities in Panajachel and San Andrés Semetabaj, to learn first-hand about the the needs that have raisen as a direct consequences of the pandemic. There are the challenges:
- The high cos tof internet service for low-income families.
- Only 27.36% of homes in urban areas and 3.52% of homes in rural areas have internet. (Population and Housing Census, 2018).
- Education in 2021 will be a challenges in the poorest municipalities and villages, where there is no electricity or internet access.
As a result of all these challenges Niños del Lago has deciden to implement the following programs for 2021.
Keep Studying Program!
Niños del Lago, will focus on the creation of FREE Community Internet Centers in various parts of Panajachel and in some villages in the rural areas of San Andrés Semetabaj.
These community centers, depending on the particular needs of each area, will support primary, secondary, high school, university students and teachers who are in the public education system.
By the end of March, Niños del Lago will have opened six Community Internet Centers, three of them in Panajachel, and another three in rural villages of San Andrés Semetabaj. We hope to open more centers in rural areas, we are just waiting for the internet service providers.
Keep Studying Program!
Niños del Lago, will focus on the creation of FREE Community Internet Centers in various parts of Panajachel and in some villages in the rural areas of San Andrés Semetabaj.
These community centers, depending on the particular needs of each area, will support primary, secondary, high school, university students and teachers who are in the public education system.
By the end of March, Niños del Lago will have opened six Community Internet Centers, three of them in Panajachel, and another three in rural villages of San Andrés Semetabaj. We hope to open more centers in rural areas, we are just waiting for the internet service providers.
Stay in School Program!
It was decided that a tutoring program focused on Mathematics, and Reading and Comprehension, is very much needed to support children so they can achieve the school grades necessary to graduate their grade. This is extremely relevant this year, and into the future, as a way to help children negatively affected by the change from the classroom to distance learning. However, we have to wait to initiate this program until the government allows working closely with children. We are anticipating this will be possible within the next few months.
Health Programs
We are searching for alliances with private organizations to provide children and their families access to basic medical care. Niños del Lago will provide the Camp facilities for the medical teams to stay, provide meals, and support the logistics of offering the program.
NIÑOS DEL LAGO CAMPSITE
Our camp, located in the middle of the mountains near San Andrés Semetabaj, a 10-minute drive from Panajachel and Lake Atitlan, has been built over the past 15 years with the support of hundreds of donors and volunteers. It is vital to our Mission and the times to come, that we continue to protect and maintain these facilities for future generations.
This year Niños del Lago will also be investigating self-sustainable projects and initiating a Social Enterprise Program to enhace and fully utilize our spectacular camp.
Image of our main building, El Nido, January, 2021.
Please join us in making our dreams a reality!
Claudia Rincón Cano
Executive Director
Niños del Lago
Help us to help!
