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Guatemala

Compassion partnership began 1980

EST. 1980

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Hola! When you arrive in Guatemala, you’ll step into a land shaped by volcanoes and ancient temple ruins from the Mayan civilisation. Nearly half the population descends from this indigenous people group. In its neighbourhoods, or barrios, you’ll meet people known for their skilled craftsmanship, from potters, wood carvers and textile producers.

Population

18 M

Capital city

Guatemala City

Local time

Current Weather

, 0°C

Distance to Australia

13,688 km
In the isolated neighbourhoods of Guatemala, opportunity may never arrive. Schools face overcrowding and medical clinics are under resourced. Parents find it hard to obtain work, making it difficult for them to provide for their children. Most youth drop out of school early, making it hard for them to break generational cycles of poverty.

Poverty in Guatemala

9.5%
of people live in extreme poverty
69%
of youth do not graduate high school
44%
of children under 5 experience stunted growth

Yet God's Church is on the move in Guatemala. In neighbourhoods where hunger and poor health are daily realities for children, local churches are stepping in with nutritious meals and medical care. Youth are supported with scholarships to continue their education so they can get a strong start to life.

Compassion in Guatemala

252
local church partners
69,901

children supported

907

babies and their mums supported

Impact in action

William, Compassion graduate

Change is happening across Guatemala. William was raised by a single mother who cleaned other people’s homes to look after her son. When she tragically passed, it was our local church partner staff who cared for William and called him every day. Today, he is an accountant and is serving the centre he grew up in.

“Everything changed for me when I was registered at the centre. I loved the Bible lessons and playing with my friends. I tasted food I never knew before for the first time during mealtime. I learned to pray when I was a little boy. I’ve always seen God working and guiding my life. He surrounded me with many people who have always loved me.”
William, Compassion graduate

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Help end poverty for a child

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Pray for safety in communities prone to flooding during the rainy season.

Pray that more remote communities will be able to partner with Compassion, reaching children in areas where the need is greatest.

Pray for protection over Guatemalan children who are most vulnerable to child labour.

Pray for provision and health for babies, children and youth experiencing growth stunting and wasting due to malnutrition.

Pray that our church partners can continue to protect youth from the presence of gangs in their communities.

Pray for your neighbours

Join local churches in bringing these requests before God.

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See the stories. Feel the impact. Move with compassion.

10 May 2024
We Must Look After Our Own Backyard—But Can We Extend It?
We’re often told that we need to “look after our own backyard first”. But as our access to knowledge of what is going on around the world increases rapidly, is that possible? Or is it time to extend the boundaries of our yard and embrace our global neighbours?

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4 Mar 2024
Compassion Changed My Mind About Sponsorship: This Is How
Before I started my job at Compassion Australia, I wasn’t completely sure about a sponsorship model of support. So what changed my mind?

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5 Aug 2021
Poverty Explored Part 1: What is Poverty?
Poverty has a devastating impact on children, taking away their chance to learn and play, and instead leads to exploitation, violence or even death. Children are often the most vulnerable members of the community and poverty leaves them thinking that they don’t matter.

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4 Feb 2020
4 Things I've Learned From Living Without Hands
11-year-old Cleidy from Guatemala was born missing both hands. Despite her disability, she won't let anything stop her from writing!

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28 Jan 2020
The Most Popular Baby Names Around the World
Every continent has its own customs and quirks, including baby names! Check out the most popular ones for children in child development centres across 25 countries—there’s a lot that can be revealed with just a name.

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27 Dec 2019
Why Do the Poor Have Large Families?
Every child is a gift and a joy. But when income is scarce and a family is already struggling, why do parents expand their families? There are many social, cultural, religious and economic reasons why parents in the developing world have large families. Some might surprise you!

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16 Dec 2019
How to Choose a Child to Sponsor with Compassion
You’ve decided to release a child from poverty in Jesus’ name. It’s a fantastic decision; one that will change a child’s life and impact yours, too. But when it comes to choosing a child to sponsor, we’re often asked “How am I meant to choose?” Faced with hundreds of photos of children in need, the decision can feel overwhelming. If you need some guidance, here are seven ways you could choose your new sponsored child.

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3 Jul 2019
17 Astonishing Journeys to School by Children in Poverty
How did you get to school as a child? Here’s a look at some of the great lengths children around the world, are going to everyday to get themselves to the classroom.

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24 Jan 2018
Why Doesn't Compassion Work in Conflict Zones?
Nearly one in every nine children live in a conflict zone. So why does Compassion only choose to work in stable communities?

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6 Sept 2016
10 Eye-Opening Photos of Classrooms In the Developing World
Most classroom in Australia look fairly similar. Although they might be decorated differently, you can pretty much expect to see the same things—some desks, a board, and maybe some computers. But what about the classrooms of children in Compassion’s programs? We all know education varies across the world, but so do the classrooms!

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3 Mar 2015
8 Powerful Photos of Children's Rooms in the Developing World
These photos are a fascinating, and at times confronting, insight into the lives of children around the world in Compassion’s program.

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Explore more countries in Central America

Explore the global neighbourhood
Dominican Republic

Est. 1970

El Salvador

Est. 1977

Haiti

Est. 1968

Honduras

Est. 1974

Mexico

Est. 1979

Nicaragua

Est. 2002

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Compassion Australia ABN 67 001 692 566. Authorised to fundraise in NSW (CFN/10658), VIC (FR0010734), QLD (CH1569), SA (CCP2632), TAS (F1A-208) and WA (20740). No authority to fundraise is required in the ACT or NT.