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Latin American Studies 87
Spring 1999
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.
PROGRAM SERVICES:
-
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.
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