Guatemala is a small country the size of Tenessee, located just south of Mexico. The land is very mountainous on the coast with sharp rugged peaks accented by active volcanoes, and a fertile coastal plain. Half of the population are subsistent farmers, growing coffee, sugar, bananas and textiles.

Most of Guatemala was ravaged by a 36-year long civil war that forced families from their homes and into dire poverty. The country still struggles with high crime and serious and worsening public corruption. Although education is compulsory through the 6th grade, only about 41% of children are enrolled in school. Literacy for the general population is 55.6%

A team of Bread of Compassion volunteers went down to the city of Guatemala this past February with a tri-fold purpose.
1. Help construct a new facility for an overcrowded school
2. Help with the education of the students in it.
3. To travel into the Guatemala city dump to feed, clothe and educate some the 30,000 families that live on, in or near it.

A volunteer on Guatemala 2006