Guatemala

Good Shepherd Sisters in Guatemala

The Sisters of the Good Shepherd have been in Chimaltenango, Guatemala since 1984. They are a community of 5 sisters. They comprise 3 different nationalities – Guatemalan, Nicaraguans and Costa Rican. Guatemala is part of the Province of Central America. The other countries in this Province are: El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panema, Costa Rica, Honduras and Puerto Rico. The siters were very present to the people in October of 2005 when the country experienced torrential rains from the tropical storm Stan. Many areas of the country were devastated. In one section alone the media reported 509 dead, 337 missing and 98,000 affected and needed help. The Sisters of Chimaltenango were close to where the tragedy struck and responded since they had donations of clothes and products such as cans of rice, water, lentils, and medicines from the Canadian Food Children. The sisters helped to coordinate relief services with the volunteer firemen. They are also very active in Justice and Peace initiatives to address the sexual exploitation of women, who come to Chimaltenango from the surrounding countries.

Country Background

During the second half of the 20th century, Guatemala experienced a succession of military juntas and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year guerrilla war, which left more than 100,000 people dead and created, by estimates, some 1 million refugees. The 1996 a peace agreement formally ended the civil war and, in turn, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment; Guatemala has since focused on important reforms and macroeconomic stabilization.

Although the July 2006 implementation of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) has helped increase investment in the export sector, foreign participation continues to be hindered by security issues, the lack of skilled workers and poor infrastructure. 

Guatemala’s current government, led by President Alvaro Colom Caballeros, has emphasized increasing the legitimacy, efficiency, and transparency of public institutions, promoting more trade and private sector-led growth, and investing in human capital through basic social and economic services.

According to the latest World Bank report in Guatemala, poverty remains high and deep. In 2000, over half of all Guatemalans- 56% or about 6.4 million people- lived on the poverty level and 16% lived much below the poverty level. Available evidence suggests that poverty in Guatemala is higher than in other Central American countries, despite its mid-range ranking using per capita GDP (US$4,900 in PPP terms in 2008).

Agriculture is the pillar of Guatemala's economy, contributing to 25% GDP, employing over half the labor force and providing 2/3 of exports, chiefly, beef, bananas, sugar, and coffee. Its three main staple foods are rice, maize, and beans. Guatemala, however, faces seasonal food shortages because only 60% of demand is met by national production. Faced with a food crisis, Guatemalan households tend to rely primarily on their own assets, with little Government assistance. The main coping strategies include reduced consumption and self-help.

With Gini indices for consumption and income of 48 and 57 respectively, Guatemala ranks among the more unequal countries of the world. The population is characterized by a large “low-income” majority and a small “high-income” minority and there are significant inequities across ethnic groups. Although the indigenous people represent 43% of the population, they claim less than a quarter of total income and consumption.

Malnutrition rates among Guatemalan children are abysmally high – among the worst in the world. Some 44% of children under five have stunted growth. There is a strong correlation between poverty and malnutrition, as 4/5 of malnourished children is poor. Moreover, malnutrition in Guatemala is declining at a slower rate than in other countries. According to international agencies, malnutrition, infant mortality, maternal mortality, and morbidity are not improving as fast as they should.