Guatemala
Guatemalans live in one of the most unequal societies in the region, with 70 per cent of land owned by less than one per cent of the people
Most live in poverty, especially in rural areas. Illiteracy, infant mortality and malnutrition rates are high, while life expectancy is low.
In common with many of its neighbours, the country suffers from violence generated by organised crime, drug-trafficking and street gangs.
Indigenous communities are often marginalised, with discrimination leading to repression of their culture, ethnic identity and economic opportunities.
CAFOD spent £194,156 in 2010/2011
Many are dependent on family members working overseas, in the US in particular, to survive. Guatemala has the highest incidence of malnutrition in Latin America with just under half of children under the age of five suffering chronic malnutrition.
![Radio broadcasts in local Mayan languages have provided a lifeline for families affected by Hurricane Stan. [CAFOD/Marcella Haddad]](/var/storage/images/media_folder/cafod/images/international_images/latin_america_caribbean/guatemala/refugees_in_atitlan_2/83703-3-eng-GB/refugees_in_atitlan_2_0column75_06space_landscape.jpg) |
In Guatemala, a powerful elite controls most media, but FGER runs many community radio stations communicating in indigenous languages and focusing on local and international issues |
![Santiago Lux Chacaj is one of the founding members of The 12 Wise Men weaving cooperative in Chiquimula [Marcella Haddad]](/var/storage/images/about-cafod/where-we-work/guatemala/images/santiago-preparing-thread/129589-2-eng-GB/santiago-preparing-thread_0column75_06space_landscape.jpg) |
The Twelve Wise Men weaving co-operative in Guatemala was so named because it was started by just a dozen men, but has grown so much that its wares are now sold all over the country |
![Nurturing a new generation of leaders in indigenous communities [Marcella Haddad]](/var/storage/images/about-cafod/where-we-work/guatemala/images/health-promoter-chiquimula-parish/129698-3-eng-GB/health-promoter-chiquimula-parish_0column75_06space_landscape.jpg) | Stronger indigenous communities The Central America Spirituality Institute (ICE), a Jesuit training centre, runs courses in personal and spiritual development, including a programme for indigenous people |
![Teresa Hernandez Oxlaj teaches cooking and nutrition in the western highlands of Guatemala [Marcella Haddad]](/var/storage/images/about-cafod/where-we-work/guatemala/images/teresa-hernandez-oxlaj/145106-2-eng-GB/teresa-hernandez-oxlaj_0column75_06space_landscape.jpg) |
Teresa Hernandez Oxlaj has been working for the Chiquimula Parish health team for one year training health promoters. Among other things she teaches cooking and nutrition |
