Association for Education and Health in Central America
Health in Ipala, Guatemala [Archived]
AEHCA Inc. has the ability to effect the conditions in which many of the poverty stricken families have to live in. The most in need are from the Indigenous population of Guatemala. 54% of the population is considered Indigenous.
According to the UNICEF data, four out of 10 children under the age of 5 suffer from poor nutrition. This issue is even worse for the indigenous population since eight out of 10 children, or double more than the average, suffer from the same problem. Health-wise problems at an early age can affect growth, both cognitively and physically. From 2010 to 2015, mortality in children under 5 was 35 deaths a year per 1,000 live births.
There are currently over 500,000 orphans in Guatemala and one child is abandoned every 4 days. Vulnerable families are especially in need of our support. Lacking support, safe work, or daycare services, many families in Guatemala struggle to provide adequate care for their children.
How does our Organization support with health needs?
An important part of our health work is centered around improving aspects of community health. Poor health may be a factor limiting the abilities of families to access education, earn income and participate in their communities. Our Community Health Program is built on two elements: Nutrition and Shelter. The two most basic needs.
We provide food during the Covid-19 pandemic.
We provide families with housing and efficient smokeless cookstoves in an effort to reduce the prevalence of preventable disease.
We provide support to a Seniors Center that provides health and nutritional support to the elderly, at the same time connecting them with younger members of the community.
Read another post from our team below.