Within developing countries, unsafe water, poor sanitation and lack of hygiene together create a high-risk situation for school age children leading to disease and contribute to deaths from malnutrition.  Unsafe water is not only linked with health, it also affects education for children.  When they get sick from diarrhea and other water borne diseases, school attendance is severely affected.  The impact/consequences are poor education and challenges for better future. 

 

Guatemala is the northeast country of Central America.  Sacatepéquez is one of its Departments (state) with 16 municipalities, Sumpango being one of them.  Recent study has shown that the percentage of indigenous population in this Department is high and there are more women than men.  Its main source of income, besides tourism, is agriculture including coffee, sugar cane, wheat, corn, beans etc.  For handicrafts, it is one of the most important departments where typical fabrics are made, and many typical costumes are worn by the indigenous people. There is significant poverty with very limited opportunities for employment and businesses.

Check out the new ABS'c of Rotary presentation that is now available for your clubs to use with your members. Consider hosting a multi-club "Get to know Rotary" meeting with neighboring clubs.