Guatemala
GUATEMALA
The Proniño program began in Guatemala in 2001, with the operator Bellsouth. In 2005, Telefónica received the program with 900 children and adolescents; in 2007 they reached the figure of 3,240 beneficiaries. For 2008, Proniño's goal is 6,500 children and adolescent beneficiaries.
Proniño's main aim is to contribute to the eradication of child labour through back to school programs.
Child labour in Guatemala is a cultural factor and ingrained in Guatemalan life. For this reason, a further goal of the program is to raise awareness among the population about the importance of education for children.
The following key players participate actively in the development of the Proniño program in Guatemala:
- Children and their parents.
- Head teachers and teachers from Proniño schools.
- National and departmental education authorities.
- Asociación de Amigos del País, Executor ONG.
- Proniño volunteers comprises volunteers from the company that contribute time, talent and/or funds.
- Fundación Telefonica España.
- Telefónica Móviles Guatemala.
- Also, an ongoing relationship is maintained with bodies such as the ILO, the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, universities, private institutions.
Among the different actions that Proniño carried out in 2007, the following are of particular note:
Tuition fees were paid for all children, they were handed out school materials (exercise book, glue, eraser, pens, pencils, geometry kits, stapler, staples, among others): satchel; PE kit.
The holding of a visual acuity exam and weight and height checks; handout of nutritional aid (sugar, rice).
The holding of recreational activities (first aid simulation program, civic fair, reading workshops, cinema trip, christmas celebrations, drawing contest).
For parents, various workshops were held on topics necessary to bring them closer to their children (raising awareness of self-esteem, education through kindness, etc.
Home visits and the income generation scheme are also carried out.
Schools underwent improvements in infrastructure: the construction of new classrooms, improved bathrooms, the contribution of computers and educational material for teachers (paste boards, markers, construction paper, etc.).
The holding of various training workshops for teachers.
Society: trying to get municipalities and the community more involved, so the project achieves greater benefits.
Development of networks and partnerships with private companies making donations and providing discounts. It was possible to establish partnerships with international bodies such as the ILO and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
For this year, some of the challenges facing us in Guatemala are:
- Expanding the number of beneficiary children at secondary and PEBI/adult learning level, and expanding coverage in the region.
- Implementation in more schools, extra-curricular activities, and increasing the number of vacation courses.
- Improving health care for 100% of beneficiary children.
- Motivating teachers from Proniño schools, with the aim of achieving greater attention to children's education.
- Improving educational qualities in schools with a Proniño presence, and introduction of ICT in said schools.
- Creating a strong network of social agents to support the Proniño program.