Projects

CERNE Nutrion Centre and Clinic

CERNE, Nutrition Centre and Clinic was in danger of closing but with help it continues to provide medical services to the local community, and supplement nutrition for the local children by providing each child with two meals per day. The majority of the local community are farm labourers for major landlords (Finca) and are paid less than US$3.00 per day. More than 60% of the local indigenous population are living well below the poverty line.

Community Centre

The new Community Centre, built in 2010 will be used for educational and recreational purposes, also providing the accommodation for eco tourism. It took just 4 weeks to build, with a gargantuan effort from the men, women and children of Raxnam. A logistical nightmare, as all the materials had to be carried by hand up the mountain, no machinery was used and all the building sand had to be hand riddled from the river bed.

Stoves

The first stove has been built in the Community Centre.

It is planned to build stoves in each house, instead of open fires to improve health, and reduce the environmental impact of cutting fire wood.

Water

Fresh water had to be fetched from a well 3km away and 6m below ground. Water levels were declining and there was hardly enough water for daily use.

The first water storage tanks were built for each household to collect water in the rain season in 2008. A total of 80 water storage tanks were built in 2009, this project was completed in 2010.

The Doctor for CERNE Clinic

The centre needs continued assistance to provide this much needed service.

The shed that served as school, meeting room and community centre.

Education

A type writing school was built in 2007. Scholarships for children, the employment of several teachers and the education of women is an ongoing venture.

In 2010 Hope Guatemala provided 42 scholarships for the children of 7 communities.