Guatemala: Case Study 1999
Abby Larsen
CASE STUDY
COUNTRY: Guatemala
PROGRAM: Casa Alianza
LOCATION: Antigua, Nebaj, Guatemala City
SPONSORSHIP OF PROGRAM:
Catholic Church
HISTORY OF PROGRAM:
Founded in the United States in
1969, Covenant House extended to Latin America (first to Guatemala)
in 1981. The organization provides immediate shelter to street children;
it also provides programs for reinsertion into the family and/or society
with skills and a plan.
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SERVED:
300/yr.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILDREN SERVED:
7-18 yrs. on average; usually children
"on the street," some are children who lost family to civil conflict
HOW CHILDREN ARE RECRUITED/SELECTED:
Outreach programs at bus stops,
parks, etc.
-
Crisis Center — food, clothing,
bed, medicine, educational and vocational services, security, and
drug rehab
-
Transitional Homes — 4 month
stay
-
Group home — live with 14 boys
and girls until age 18
FINANCIAL BASIS OF PROGRAM:
Funding from Catholic Church/independent
contributions, as well as fundraising through sales of gifts, etc.
PHILOSOPHY OR APPROACH:
Seeks to give children immediacy
of care, sanctuary, open communication, structure, and choice by advocating
love, respect, service, advocacy and family.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Legal Aid assistance and AIDS counseling,
rural drug rehab program, home for adolescent mothers.
