Hola! Well, it looks like I was not successful in getting out this week. I am just going to hold off now to see what happens. I feel I have elaborated enough about my problems and have neglected to speak about a significant problem Guatemala is going to face during this pandemic. Yes, the pandemic is a serious issue for public health. If the pandemic gets to a country like Guatemala, the health system will buckle. The infrastructure here could not handle it to be like Italy, Spain, or the US.
The Guatemalan government and local government has put out some restrictions such as a 4 pm- 4 am curfew. The shops and markets are only allowed to operate under limited hours as well. I feel though the access of information is limited to the Mayan minority here. Not all of them have more than a necessary and rudimental comprehension of Spanish, and I have seen very few PSAs written in the leading Mayan languages such as Tz’utujil, which seems to be the leading one in this region. I have not scouted out the media landscape well enough in Guatemala to fully have a grasp on what access these communities have to adequate information, but it looks a little bleak.
I also believe economic backlash is just as harmful to the local population as public health problems. I do not want to sound like one of the Republican assholes that cares more about the economy than public health. But this is a different case than in Europe, the US and other parts of the world. The average Guatemalan yearly salary falls less than 5,000 USD a year. If you take out the elites in the bigger cities, it falls much less for many other people. This part of the country heavily relies on tourism for its income. The peak season is now. The next wave of travelers coming there will not be for a while. This global shutdown has many consequences for people in the tourism industry all over the world. People will say that ” Oh, you are just pissed about your trip to X being canceled!”, but there is more to it than that. Guatemala is one of these countries that will suffer tremendously from it. I am not an expert on the social services of Guatemala. But I did see that there was a government measure to have bills postponed that did not pass.
Anyways, I will not go into the socioeconomic status of Guatemala because Central America is not my region of expertise. I will post some causes here that are worth donating towards.
Cause # 1: Spanish classes! Many people come to Guatemala for 2-8 weeks a year of a Spanish course, especially in Lake Atitlan. Many of these local Spanish schools are offered now via skype or zoom. My host here teaches Spanish lessons for 9 dollars an hour on Skype. Her name is Suzana, and you can post in the comments if you would like her contact. You can also take a class with another teacher from her school for a little more an hour. Here is her school. https://orbitaspanishschool.com/
I know many of you are looking at new skills to learn while you are social distancing or quarantining. Why not learn Spanish? There are classes available of all abilities. I am sure there are dumber ways you are spending your money and time. It also empowers the locals to help them sustain themselves through this difficult time.
Cause # 2: Quetzaltrekkers
I had originally booked two treks with them before coming to Guatemala. I had it recommended by several different traveler friends from various circles. They are not only a reputable trekking group, but they do a lot of good work. A lot of their work goes to setting a local school and finding safe houses for vulnerable youth. Unfortunately, they have had to stop their treks over Covid 19. This will put their guides out of work for the summer. This will also put a damper on the excellent work that they do.
Cause # 3 Casa Materna
They are a group that provides critically needed medical services and education to impoverished mothers and babies in the rural mountain region of San Juan La Laguna, Guatemala.
To donate: https://casamaternaatitlan.org/supportcasa/
Cause # 4 ODIM
They do a lot of work addressing educational and healthcare needs. You can even volunteer with them online if you find some time. There are different types of virtual volunteering you can do. You can also just donate.
These are just four causes that I posted. I picked the ones that I felt were most legitimate. If there are any other causes in Guatemala worth adding, feel free to comment! I can update this list. These are just the top four that I felt the most passionate about.
Are you not so attached to Guatemala? You can also think of another country that you have recently visited that heavily depends on tourism and try to contribute to a noble cause in one of these countries. Try to look for purposes that are legitimate and not too white savory. I prefer secular NGOs. The religious ones can be a mixed bag. I try to avoid them, but some do some decent things. Try to find ones that empower the local population as well and not perpetuate this white savior complex that needs to stop. Pick a cause somewhere you care about and try to do something! Whether it is virtually volunteering for a couple of hours a week, paying for a service such as a language class, or giving a donation. Things might be hard for all of us, but there are other countries that are going to be hit harder over the economic drawbacks caused by Covoid 19 .
Heidi, what great ideas you propose in this blog. You are using your time wisely. I do hope you are still scheduled to leave and that all goes well. I love you lots, Dot