The Vamos Adelante Foundation provides education, health and nutrition services to poor people in over 18 villages in the region of Esquintla, Guatemala (located halfway between the country's capital city and its Pacific Coast). In addition, the Foundation runs a computer school for the disabled in Guatemala City (Zone 6), and periodically provides health and education services to remote villages in the region of San Juan Sacatepequez.
There are currently no other permanent development agencies operating in this isolated part of Guatemala. The people work mostly on a temporary basis harvesting sugar cane and coffee. The average family has five children and there is widespread illiteracy, malnourishment, parasite-related illness, alcoholism, and other symptoms associated with chronic poverty. Many children in this region suffer from borderline to severe malnutrition, often due to a lack of basic education and health facilities.
To address these issues, Vamos Adelante has established schools and health facilities in several villages and has recruited local education and health care promoters to work with families on improving education, health, hygiene and nutrition (see also 'Our Projects').
Vamos Adelante's work is funded entirely from private donations (both cash and in kind), most of which come from individuals or foundations in Europe and North America. Vamos Adelante prides itself on its minimal administration costs and personal contact with donors. For this reason, there are no standardized newsletters or general information leaflets aside from this website, which was created by and is maintained by volunteers. For more information about the Foundation please contact Nina Jorgensen at vamosadelante@conexion.com.gt.
