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SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN GUATEMALA

The children of Guatemala are not unlike our own; they like to play and laugh and if you ask some of them about their favorite foods, cookies and ice cream would likely top the list.

As in Canada, there are thousands of children in Guatemala who have disabilities, but in that part of the world, (Central America) services and support are not to be amply found as they can be in Ontario.

Johana receives a new wheelchair through CH support

Intensifying the problem are two common killers: a deep sense of shame parents of special needs children experience and bondage-like poverty a majority of the population lives under. The results are heartbreaking; children are institutionalized, abandoned or forced into a life of neglected isolation.

The call for action has been embraced by Christian Horizons who has taken the steps to bring to the special needs community of Guatemala, the services and support they desperately require.

As a quick backgrounder, our work in this nation (pop. of about 13 million) can still be considered preliminary, as we are continuing to identify areas of need and potential support opportunities. We began planting seeds in 2005 by introducing camping initiatives for children with disabilities, focusing on deaf and mute individuals - an extremely ostracized group in Guatemala. The results of those early endeavors are very encouraging. One particularly note-worthy development is how quickly word of the special needs camp program spread and to what lengths geographically - we are amazed that some disabled children living in neighboring El Salvador and Honduras, having received news about the camp, are making the trip to attend!

According to a June 2006 report on progress by CH CEO Ed Sider, the camping ministry is progressing with positive results.

Campers are exposed to a gospel message

With the success of the 2005 camp, plans have been finalized to add a second program for deaf and mute individuals; both programs will take place in the Fall of 2006. Further seeds are being planted by CH as we partner with local leaders to create an entirely new camping opportunity designed for special needs adults. The camp will run from December 10th to 16th and is open to volunteers - to find out more about this opportunity, please use the appropriate contact information at the end of this update.

Mr. Sider’s report also showed that significant developments are taking place in the areas of Public Education and Integration. These efforts are being led by Rudy and Sully (pronounced Sue-lee) Rohas and Telma Cajas; our fantastic ground team in Guatemala. They have been diligently working to see the special needs individual become fully integrated into church, community and educational settings. Seminars, conferences and creative presentations utilizing the talent of special needs individuals are being used for training and educating and are helping to inform pastors, teachers and

Quick Facts

Guatemala won its independence from Spain in 1871.

other community leaders as to what they can do to help the integration process along. The progress is not going unnoticed by the Guatemalan government who has vocally offered its approval of the work that is being done. These truly are significant developments for a nation that has up to very recently shown little interest in special needs issues.

Guatemala is a beautiful nation with a rich culture and a fascinating history and although in times past, individuals with disabilities struggled to be seen and heard, things are changing. In 2004 the government of Guatemala passed a law stating that the special needs individual must be integrated into the education system and we couldn’t be more pleased. It is truly now more than ever that support must be given towards seeing those integration processes realized.

Enjoying an outdoor presentation at camp

While there are other national and foreign ministries working in the country on behalf of the marginalized, Christian Horizons is thus far the only visible presence providing camping services for the disabled community. Are these services making a difference in Guatemala? There are 370 children who were impacted by our 2005 camping ministry that would, with smiling faces, say yes.

The ministry efforts of Christian Horizons in Guatemala is truly experiencing significant developments. Information is getting out, education is increasing, skills are being learned and slowly the social and spiritual climate is beginning to change as we share God’s love. Ed Sider concludes his report by stating, “God is blessing the ministry in an incredible way.” We hope you are both blessed and encouraged by that wonderful news. Stay tuned for more on Guatemala in the months to come.



Christian Horizons is working in Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Russia, Ecuador and with people from the First Nations community in Canada. Please pray for Christian Horizons Global Projects