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GUATEMALA'S CHILDREN Mil Milagros was inspired by Margaret’s volunteer work at Proyecto Semilla, a school for child workers in the tourist town of Panajachel, Guatemala, where she began an informal feeding program for children in 2006. Margaret began the program to address a situation facing the children she had come to know and love:
She named the organization “Mil Milagros” because “miracles” are essential to achieving dreams and these dreams are more likely to be realized if they are aligned with the efforts of others. In this case, they are aligned with two of the United Nations’ eight Millennium Goals - the eradication of extreme poverty and childhood hunger and universal primary education by 2015. Poverty According to government statistics, 56% of the Guatemalan population of 13 million lives in poverty. However, non-governmental organizations estimate that up to 80% of the population is poor, particularly among the Mayan people with whom Mil Milagros works. Starvation and malnutrition According to UNICEF, more than 60% of families in Guatemala cannot afford an adequate diet. UNICEF reports that Guatemala has the worst malnutrition problem in Latin America, even higher than the 35.2% average in Africa. Not surprisingly, the problem of malnutrition is also most acute among Guatemala's indigenous people (some 50% of the total population). While it is estimated that nearly 70% of indigenous children are malnourished, we believe that percentage to be much higher. Effects of childhood malnutrition UNICEF states that that the effects of malnutrition on child development are like a "life sentence" because it "compromises (children's) health, their ability to learn, and their growth." In addition to the devastating human consequences of malnutrition, a recent study by the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC/CEPAL) has determined that the economic impact of child malnutrition in Guatemala is 10% of the country's annual gross domestic product (GDP). The study further suggests that if there was a commitment to eradicating child under-nutrition by 2015, Guatemala would realize a savings of over one billion dollars. WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran called the study, "a wake up call to the international community that widespread child hunger is not only a moral and humanitarian issue, but has economic consequences as well... Clearly we will not be able to eradicate poverty in the region or in the world for that matter, until we take effective steps to tackle hunger and malnutrition.” Ironically, the Latin American region produces three times the amount of food needed to feed its population. "Any program that can effectively reduce the levels of under-nutrition will not only improve the quality of life of those affected, but will also increase productivity," according to Jose Luis Machiena, CEPAL Secretary General. Mil Milagros’ Reach The children served by Mil Milagros are predominantly Mayan, ages 4 through 16, and attend public or private non-profit schools in the Guatemalan Highlands state of Solola. Most of the children live in desperately poor families with incomes less than $200.00 per month. They suffer from chronic malnutrition, dental disease, parasites and skin disorders (lice, scabies and ring worm). By collaborating with the schools and families to feed the children and addressing their basic health care needs, we have nearly eliminated the school drop out rate at our partner schools and are making slow but steady progress toward improved health and hope. |
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