Guatemala has one of the lowest school completion rates in Latin America. Some of the most frequently cited reasons Guatemalan children do not continue their education include poverty, relocation, household labor expectations, illness, teen pregnancy, and teen marriage.
The problem is even more prominent in indigenous communities, where almost 80% of the population lives in poverty. When Mayan children reach 16 or 17 years of age, they often have children that they are not yet equipped to support.
Poverty is a cyclical trap. Without education, proper health care, access to clean water and sanitation, or viable job opportunities, people cannot escape their financial situation.
Sueños y Esperanzas believes that education is the key to breaking this cycle and ensuring the survival of the Mayan community. Education can help young people gain the courage to find their voices and keep the Mayan culture alive.