Guatemala
Blessed with abundant natural resources, ample farm land, favorable climate, glorious scenery and rich cultural diversity, the people of Guatemala have nonetheless endured a terrible history, most recently the brutal civil war that raged over most of the second half of the twentieth century. But with the signing of the Peace Accords in 1996, and then several reasonably orderly national elections, there may at last be hope for the country, although Guatemala remains at or near the bottom of the Latin American tables for poverty, inequality, violence, poor health indicators, corruption and human rights abuses.
In this difficult context, what should Tula's strategy be?
- Know that whatever the circumstances, whatever the shortcomings of the government and institutions, the people need an effective and equitable public health system.
- Trust that whatever the circumstances, there will be people and local organizations with integrity who deserve our support; identify those elements and channel our support to them.
- Wherever possible, work constructively with the government, while maintaining vigilence.
Administration
Guatemala is divided into 22 departments: Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Petén, El Progreso. El Quiché, Escuintla, Guatemala (including the capital city), Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Quetzaltenango, Retalhuleu, Sacatepéquez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Sololá, Suchitepequez, Totonicapán, and Zacapa.
The Tula Foundation has concentrated its efforts in the department of Alta Verapaz, and recently extended that work to El Quiché and Huehuetenango.
