Guatemala

Guatemala is located in Central America, just below Mexico. It is also bordered by Belize, the Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, Honduras, and El Salvador. The country is mostly mountainous, but it has narrow coastal plains. Although it has been an independent nation since the 1920s, Guatemala experienced civil war for more than 30 years, which came to an end in the mid-1990s. Since then, the country has been rebuilding.

The population of Guatemala is approximately 13 million people. Sadly, today more than half of the population is below the national poverty line, and more than 49% of children under age 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition.

Bethany Christian Services International (BCSI) began its involvement with Guatemala in 1996 with intercountry adoptions. Since then, more than 500 children have been adopted by U.S. families. However, in January 2008, Guatemala closed its intercountry adoption system and is now working to increase adoptions and foster care within the country.

In 2005 and 2006, BCSI provided training sessions in Guatemala City for foster families caring for children who were being adopted and for professionals working in social services. Each session was attended by approximately 100 people. BCSI used therapists, physicians, and social workers as trainers and focused on the following topics:

  • Child Development
  • Child Medical Concerns
  • Attachment Issues of Orphaned Children

Because the number of Guatemalan children at risk continues to rise, BCSI remains involved with projects that serve these children. These projects include:
  • Sponsorship for children who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS or are being tested for HIV/AIDS and residing in Life Homes located near Guatemala City. Sponsorship funds provide food and medicine for these children. Approximately eight children are being sponsored now.
  • Sponsorship of 12 girls residing in the Fundaninos Orphanage near Guatemala City provides assistance for their care and education.
  • Organizing work trips in which U.S. volunteers assist Fundaninos and its community.

BCSI continues to assess the needs of the Guatemalan children to determine the best way we can share our expertise and resources to improve their lives.