How to help these children . . .

Mayan Reality
Guatemala, one of the smaller countries of Central America and a neighbour of Mexico, has an extremely varied landscape, ranging from the fertile, tropical coastal region bordering the Pacific to the barren, mountainous highlands which have become the refuge of the Indigenous Mayan population, 3000 m above sea level. In the course of time, the Mayans were driven further and further into this extremely hostile environment.

The Mayans make up at least half the population of Guatemala, which is 40 % mestizos and just 5 % white. The different groups live completely apart from each other. The highlands are Indian territory, whilst the financially better-off mestizos predominate in the towns.

The people in the highlands live in extreme poverty. They suffer from malnutrition, unhygienic conditions and a shortage of drinking water. Medical care is inadequate to non-existing and communications are appalling. The lives of Mayan families are blighted by social injustice: 75 % of the workable agricultural land is owned by 4 % of the population. The Indian smallholder is left with only a tiny area of cultivable land in the arid steppes of the highlands, which often cannot support the family. Periods of civil war took an unimaginable toll on the rural population: yet the people in these parts continue to fight for their dignity and morale, their homeland and a living for their families.

The Development of the School
In 1996, the decision was taken to build a village school in Chocruz (a small village, which is more like a collection of huts, in the highlands of Guatemala; the nearest town of any size being Momostenango). Initially, room was found for 12 children in an old bakehouse. 

For the storage of wood to be worked up in the carpentry, there was built a new hall in 2010, that is also used as assembly and show room.  

Well-Construction
Clean water in sufficient quantities is a dream of the people of Chocruz, a dream about to become reality. A small stream supplies the only water available for drinking and cooking, bathing and laundry. If the stream dries up – which happens regularly - the whole area is without water. In periods of severe drought, containers of water were brought up the mountain and the precious liquid was strictly rationed: one beakerful per child per day. Thanks to notable donations the plan to construct the village’s own well has taken shape.

The Latrine Project
Two bio-latrines on the school were completed, using the two-way-bio-system which operates without water.

Their principle and purpose and correct use were explained to parents and children, providing information which stimulated their concern for the environment. This represented a major step forward in terms of health and hygiene for the children.

Health Care
Every six weeks ALDEA LAURA takes a young doctor from Antigua to Chocruz in the highland.

Offering her weekends this trained pediatrician gives medical care to the neglected children for the first time in their lives. It is intended to expand the health station, because the services of a dentist and a gynecologist are urgently needed, too. ALDEA LAURA must make sure that there are the basics as a proper room, sufficient water, a refrigerator for medicine, examination couch and so on. Hopefully, we will find idealistic specialists to donate some of their free-time to the children (and their families) in Chocruz.
An important part of our health program is the regular meal the children get at school.

What has happened so far?
November 1995: Founding of the association "A Future for Children - Aldea Laura” by 15 people in Nuremberg/Germany (we currently have 125 members and 120 foster parents).
June 1996: Founding of a school in the village of  Xecruz near Momostenango with 20 children and one female teacher.
February 1997: Start of a second class with a second female teacher.
March 1997: Founding of the association "Futuro para Niños Guatemala  - Aldea Laura" in Antigua (Guatemala). The association in Guatemala pursues the goals of the German parent association.
June 1997: Building of a school with several classrooms, a kitchen, a small medical room and an office.
February 1998: Opening of the school. Instruction began with 90 children and three female teachers.
July 1998: Construction of two organic toilets.

Fall 1998: Official acknowledgment of the school by the Ministry of Education.  The school now has the name

Additional goals and wishes

• Long-term funding of the school
  Financial costs add up to approximately 22 EURO per month and child. This includes classes and meals.
  

• Medical care
  We would like to set up a fully equipped medical room so we can offer guaranteed medical care every 4-6 weeks. Costs for the doctor add up to approximately 2.100 EURO per year plus expenses for medicine.
  

• Organic toilets
  In order to prevent germs from spreading, we will continue building organic toilets for the community. A Mayan cooperative is in charge of this. The families will help with the construction. The costs for one organic toilet amount to 1.000 EURO.
  

• Job training
  In addition to the regular classes, it is planned to include practical job training in the school curriculum (e.g. sewing, weaving, cooking, baking, woodworking, metalworking). So far, we have no clear concept of how this can be implemented or which expenses we should expect.

WE NEED YOUR HELP -  JOIN US!

   You can become a member (membership fee of  31 EURO/ year)

   You can sponsor the school project on a monthly basis

   You can sponsor a single part of our project with a larger sum

Bank account:
Commerzbank AG Nürnberg
Account #: 512 313 800
Bank Code: 760 400 61

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