For Yeimi, a mom and resident of San Andres, Guatemala, the problem was trifold: poverty, malnutrition, and lack of education.
Guatemala is the 4th most malnourished country in the world and it has the most unequal income distribution in Central America. Children in the area suffer from severe malnutrition, with many falling into the 3rd percentile for height and weight. Poverty and income inequality are major issues in Guatemala, with a significant portion of the population living below the poverty line. This often means that families do not have the financial means to provide their children with adequate food, leading to malnutrition.
There is also a severe lack of funding for educational opportunities, leaving many children unable to attend school due to financial constraints. Families are not able to afford the costs associated with education, such as school fees, uniforms, and supplies, making it difficult for their children to attend school. As a result, 60% of the indigenous population is illiterate with only an average of 2.5 years of schooling.
What We’re Doing to Help
To curb these concerns, Be Humanitarian has implemented a nutrition and education program that has successfully improved the health and education of children. The vision is to educate them so their brains and bodies are developed and they have equal footing with other children in the world. Tobie Spears, Founder, and Director, also seeks to educate parents and sponsor children as they go to school. Through the generosity of sponsors, Be Humanitarian can provide children with the necessary resources to attend school, including paying their fees, buying uniforms, and purchasing school supplies.
Countless volunteers in Guatemala help run the preschool and feed the children. Moms like Yeimi help in duties that range from food preparation, clean-up, and team management.
Since 2020, Yeimi has been motivated by her love to be actively involved as a volunteer. She is especially happy to work with Be Humanitarian since her two daughters are also part of the program. Gratitude is a word that she says would describe the way she feels about Be Humanitarian. She mentions that through the program, she and her daughters receives education opportunities, as well as meals to feed her family.
Yeimi Finds Value in an Education
“Education has been a great way to enjoy better opportunities and grow”, Yeimi expressed. She mentioned that her two daughters have learned a lot since they started. She’s also learning from other moms to develop problem-solving skills, including how to start her own business. The different classes and courses offered by Be Humanitarian have taught her to save money and create a family budget. This became a blessing when Yeimi and her family had an emergency and her youngest daughter went through heart surgery.
“It’s easier to [solve problems] and reach my goals because of [the support I found with Be Humanitarian]. This program has made a difference in my life”, she said. One day, Yeimi hopes to see the program become accessible to all those who need it most. Join us in Guatemala to witness more people like Yeimi who work to make a difference in the world!
