Young girl sitting in class with pencil and paper

Education

The poorest 40 percent of the Guatemala’s 15 million citizens live on just $2.50 per day

BEFORE WE WERE IN CLASSROOMS WITH PASTIC SHEETING WALLS, DIRT FLOORS AND NO WINDOWS. NOW THE CHILDREN HAVE A BETTER, HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT TO LEARN
Teacher at a Wells of Hope built school

Our Response

Helping to Educate

Over the last twenty years Wells of Hope has built and equipped thirty-one schools. There has also been a literacy pilot program implemented to raise reading levels in primary grades, providing children the capacity to continue their education and break the cycle of poverty.

One of the global millennium goals set by the United Nations was to see that all children are provided primary education. There are many benefits to a good education including the ways that health, economy, and society at large are affected.

As children stay in school they are more likely to understand the importance of proper hygiene, using safe drinking water, and following guidelines that promote a healthy lifestyle. As well, those with better reading levels are more likely as adults to seek out the guidance of doctors and health care professionals and learn more about health issues on their own.

The economic benefits of education can be experienced on a personal and communal level. Those with more education qualify themselves for better paying jobs, and therefore contribute to the economy. They are also more likely to give back to their communities.

Societal benefits of the education system can be seen in greater leadership and guidance in societal structures like local town councils. The literate and educated community leader can better advocate on behalf of her community.

Once children’s basic needs for clean water are addressed they miss less days of school due to illness, and have a better chance of experiencing all the benefits that education brings.