Plan in Guatemala
Plan currently works with 542 communities, benefiting 220,000 people, to:
- promote human development: help get people working together effectively, to build a better world for themselves and their children.
We create opportunities for local people, both children and adults, to participate in designing and implementing projects that will benefit their community.
- promote human rights and children's rights: because people should have equal access to essentials for human growth and happiness, e.g. health, education, and a safe environment
Our Approach
All the programs that Plan implements are focused on making an impact on the fulfillment of child rights as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child in the following areas: Survival, Development, Protection, and Child Participation in the environments that influence children directly.
Rights-based Development
In rights-based development, two major shareholders stand out: the State (government) and the citizens – both are responsible for participating actively. The State must know what is going on in the communities and the priorities for generating development. Here, the participation of children is fundamental for they are the ones that are most directly impacted by the availability or lack of opportunities in the community. The role of the non-governmental organizations is to support both parties so that together they may generate sustainable development based on respect for the dignity of people.
Children’s participation
1. Encourage children to search for information about their rights, about community life and the life of the country, and to share all this information with the members of their community.
2. An informed child has a better chance of participating and can better exchange ideas with his/her family and members of the school, the community, and the municipality.
3. With this foundation, children can give their opinions and influence the decision making on matters that affect their lives.
