Equipping young girls with employability skills to create a
future gender-balanced workforce.
This program is now closed.
Thank you to our community of donors who supported this program from January 1 2023 - December 31 2023.
Your support will enable Good Neighbours to provide empowerment and educational workshops to female adolescents within the Municipality of Patzicia and Acatenango, through organized youth groups. With access to the necessary tools and technical training, young women and girls will increase their knowledge of the English language and obtain socio-emotional skills. These workshops will inspire girls to engage in social issues within their community and become active agents of change.
PATZICIA & ACATENANGO, GUATEMALA
Focusing on two rural communities in the Central-Western Highlands region, Good Neighbours Canada in collaboration with Good Neighbours Guatemala, will promote equal opportunities for girls and young women through engaging activities and youth groups.
According to UNDP Human Development Report (2002-2019), Guatemala rates the highest on the gender inequality index (HDI) in the Latin American region.
Only 1 in 10 youth in rural Guatemala are enrolled in middle and high school
An increase in student drop-outs
The primary reason for leaving school is lack of financial resources. Even those who remain in school experience barriers after graduation, due to limited educational resources.
Students have limited English language skills and poor access to technology training, both of which are needed to access the jobs in the contact center sector in Guatemala.
Gender inequality
Women in rural Guatemala are at a disadvantage in terms of access to education, income equality and participation in the labour market, compared to men.
60% of women are poor and 23% are extremely poor
of women have jobs
vs
of men have jobs
There is an even wider wage gap for Indigenous women.
Respecting indigenous cultures
Guatemala has the highest proportion of the indigenous population in the Latin Americas. 44% of the population identify with an Indigenous community.
Good Neighbours welcomes and includes Mayan participants, as both Spanish and Kakchiquel, the language of the area, are intigrated in the program.
Mayan cultural activities will be respected during this project, as we encourage participants to maintain their cultural identity.
Building a sustainable future
Through peer-to-peer dialogues, socio-emotional training and female empowerment activities young women and girls will develop stronger English language skills and new computer skills, opening doors to the local labour market.
Young women between 12 and 18 years old will develop critical thinking, a sense of community and belonging, and increase their capacity to participate in social action.
BE A PART OF THE CHANGE
We are a Canadian registered charity (Registration Number: 72273 2922 RR0001), therefore donations are eligible for a tax receipt, issued to the donor’s email. Changes and cancellations can be made anytime. Donors have the options of creating a donor account, powered by CanadaHelps DMS, to update information online. If you prefer to speak to our team, you can reach us at 1 (833) 614-GOOD (4663).
Thank you for supporting us!