Migration in Guatemala

Many people in Guatemala, especially women and young people in rural areas, live in poverty. A lack of training and employment opportunities means that many families see migration, especially to the USA, as their only future. Due to a lack of alternatives, tens of thousands of people each year undertake the dangerous and costly journey through Mexico to the USA. At the same time, many thousands of people are currently being deported from the USA to Guatemala. Together with our long-standing partner organisation FUNDAP, we are committed to preventing migration and at the same time trying to find solutions to the consequences of deportation.

Training and job opportunities instead of emigration

With our project, we are giving around 4,760 women and young people – some of whom have disabilities – in the departments of Suchitepéquez and Quiché a real alternative to emigration. Through practical vocational training courses in areas such as tailoring, cooking, baking and hairdressing, as well as short and intensive courses, we are opening up concrete income opportunities for them. In addition, the ‘Seguir para emprender’ programme supports graduates on their path to self-employment and even provides machinery and equipment if necessary.

With this project, we are creating sustainable prospects for young people and their families. Instead of embarking on the dangerous route to the USA, they can build an independent and dignified life for themselves locally.

Support for returnees

There are many people who return from the USA or are deported. These people, who have worked in the USA or Mexico for years and have specialist knowledge, cannot prove this knowledge or have it certified by a training centre. This makes it difficult for them to find employment with specialist companies and thus start a new life in their home country. In this project, we support our partner FUNDAP in becoming recognised as an accreditation body for skills acquired through experience in the fields of food, hairdressing, and automotive and motor mechanics.

Promoting healthcare in rural areas

In addition, we are improving healthcare in the project regions. Over 1,200 health promoters are completing a one-year training course. In the long term, they facilitate access to basic medical services and help to ensure basic medical care in rural communities where there are no doctors or clinics. In addition, 40 young people are given the opportunity to complete training as nursing assistants – a real job opportunity and, at the same time, a boost to medical care in Guatemala.

Our local partner

FUNDAP has been working in south-western Guatemala since 1981 with the aim of combating poverty and inequality. With its vocational training and business development programmes, FUNDAP reaches around 3,000 people every year, giving them the opportunity to realise their potential, complete recognised vocational training and set up small businesses.