Central & Latin America
Belize
Under the shadow of its forests blooms Belize. Although better known for its diving paradises and the second longest coral barrier in the world, Belize has extensive forests, mountain chains and wet lands. Occupied and robbed for years mainly by British settlers, Belize was a source of wood for Europe; and Maya farmers, native to the land, were forced out of the country, few remaining on the very countryside. Also colonized by refugees from Civil War in the United States and later African slaves, the country shows its diversity in race and culture, and the many social divisions, results of the divide and rule principle of colonialist.
Today, the society still tries to overcome the underdevelopment patterns introduced by colonialism and exploitation. Agriculture became the main economy. Education receives investments, but the population still faces poverty, unsustainable foreign debts, and increasing urban problems, and HIV/AIDS rates.
Humana People to People runs a Child Aid project in the North and another one in the South, also it has a Clothes Sale with 3 shops generating funds for the Child Aid projects.
Costa Rica
Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful. In 1563 a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Costa Rica’s stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has remained at roughly 20% for nearly 20 years, and the strong social safety net that had been put into place by the government has eroded due to increased financial constraints. Immigration from Nicaragua has increasingly become a concern for the government. The 300,000-500,000 Nicaraguans estimated to be in Costa Rica legally and illegally are an important source of (mostly unskilled) labor.
Our last stop before flying to Ecuador is Costa Rica.
Ecuador
Ecuador has a history of turbulence and political instability. Since 1979, it has been under civilian rule. Ecuador has substantial petroleum resources, which have accounted for 40% of the country’s export earnings. Since 1968, the country received huge loans for engineering, construction, and infrastructure projects that basically benefited the richest families. Over the following three decades Ecuador’s debt increased from 240 mill $ to 16 billion $ and poverty level rose from 50% to 70%, bringing the country on the brink of collapse in 1999. Since then some improvements have taken place, but Ecuador still has huge poverty problems.
Humana People to People runs a Child Aid project in Ecuador with the Village Action Groups.
El Salvador
El Salvador is a tiny and densely populated country struggling to find its way in a post-guerrilla war era. It is a fertile and beautiful land with lush valleys and low lying mountains covered with plantations growing coffee, corn, and sugar cane. The possession and power over this valuable land has sprung countless insurrections and a twelve-year civil war. The war ended in 1992 with peace accords signed and promises made. Though the country is at peace, the struggle continues to create a strong economy and to improve living conditions for all the people of El Salvador.
We travel through El Salvador during our investigation period.
Guatemala
Guatemala has been called the “Land of Fire” for the blazing reds, blues and yellows of its hand-woven clothing, the searing heat of its lowlands, and the fiery blood of over 200,000 people killed during its 36 year civil war. The year 1996 marked the end of the war as a newly elected government took power and a peace agreement was signed. The struggle for justice and an equal share in the country’s wealth, however, continue. Most effected by poverty and prejudice is the indigenous population, the largest in all of the Central American countries.
Humana People to People is planning to start a Child Aid project in Guatemala in 2009.
Honduras
Honduras is known as the “Banana Republic” because of the major role foreign industry has played in the both economic and political affairs of the country. While its neighbors were mired in civil war, Honduras has seen relative peace in recent decades. Peace did not mean prosperity, however, as outside influences and a succession of military rulers have kept power, money, and access to resources in the hands of a few. Estimates indicate that the devastation to infrastructure, homes, and agricultural lands brought by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 will set the country’s development efforts back several years. It is the poorest populations who will feel the greatest impact of these setbacks.
Our investigation period takes us through Honduras.
Mexico
The site of advanced Amerindian civilizations, Mexico came under Spanish rule for three centuries before achieving independence early in the 19th century. A devaluation of the peso in late 1994 threw Mexico into economic turmoil, triggering the worst recession in over half a century. The nation continues to make an impressive recovery. Ongoing economic and social concerns include low real wages, underemployment, inequitable income distribution, and few advancement opportunities for the largely Amerindian population in the impoverished southern states. Mexico has a free market economy that recently entered the trillion dollar class. It contains a mixture of modern and outmoded industry and agriculture. Per capita income is one-fourth that of the US; income distribution remains highly unequal.
Humana People to People is planning to start a Child Aid project in South of Mexico in 2009.
BelizeUnder the shadow of its forests blooms Belize. Although better known for its diving paradises and the second longest coral barrier in the world, Belize has extensive forests, mountain chains and wet lands. Occupied and robbed for years mainly by British settlers, Belize was a source of wood for Europe; and Maya farmers, native to the land, were forced out of the country, few remaining on the very countryside. Also colonized by refugees from Civil War in the United States and later African slaves, the country shows its diversity in race and culture, and the many social divisions, results of the divide and rule principle of colonialist.
Today, the society still tries to overcome the underdevelopment patterns introduced by colonialism and exploitation. Agriculture became the main economy. Education receives investments, but the population still faces poverty, unsustainable foreign debts, and increasing urban problems, and HIV/AIDS rates.
Humana People to People runs a Child Aid project in the North and another one in the South, also it has a Clothes Sale with 3 shops generating funds for the Child Aid projects.
Costa Rica
Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful. In 1563 a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Costa Rica’s stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has remained at roughly 20% for nearly 20 years, and the strong social safety net that had been put into place by the government has eroded due to increased financial constraints. Immigration from Nicaragua has increasingly become a concern for the government. The 300,000-500,000 Nicaraguans estimated to be in Costa Rica legally and illegally are an important source of (mostly unskilled) labor.Our last stop before flying to Ecuador is Costa Rica.
Ecuador
Ecuador has a history of turbulence and political instability. Since 1979, it has been under civilian rule. Ecuador has substantial petroleum resources, which have accounted for 40% of the country’s export earnings. Since 1968, the country received huge loans for engineering, construction, and infrastructure projects that basically benefited the richest families. Over the following three decades Ecuador’s debt increased from 240 mill $ to 16 billion $ and poverty level rose from 50% to 70%, bringing the country on the brink of collapse in 1999. Since then some improvements have taken place, but Ecuador still has huge poverty problems.Humana People to People runs a Child Aid project in Ecuador with the Village Action Groups.
El Salvador
El Salvador is a tiny and densely populated country struggling to find its way in a post-guerrilla war era. It is a fertile and beautiful land with lush valleys and low lying mountains covered with plantations growing coffee, corn, and sugar cane. The possession and power over this valuable land has sprung countless insurrections and a twelve-year civil war. The war ended in 1992 with peace accords signed and promises made. Though the country is at peace, the struggle continues to create a strong economy and to improve living conditions for all the people of El Salvador.We travel through El Salvador during our investigation period.
Guatemala
Guatemala has been called the “Land of Fire” for the blazing reds, blues and yellows of its hand-woven clothing, the searing heat of its lowlands, and the fiery blood of over 200,000 people killed during its 36 year civil war. The year 1996 marked the end of the war as a newly elected government took power and a peace agreement was signed. The struggle for justice and an equal share in the country’s wealth, however, continue. Most effected by poverty and prejudice is the indigenous population, the largest in all of the Central American countries.Humana People to People is planning to start a Child Aid project in Guatemala in 2009.
Honduras
Honduras is known as the “Banana Republic” because of the major role foreign industry has played in the both economic and political affairs of the country. While its neighbors were mired in civil war, Honduras has seen relative peace in recent decades. Peace did not mean prosperity, however, as outside influences and a succession of military rulers have kept power, money, and access to resources in the hands of a few. Estimates indicate that the devastation to infrastructure, homes, and agricultural lands brought by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 will set the country’s development efforts back several years. It is the poorest populations who will feel the greatest impact of these setbacks.Our investigation period takes us through Honduras.
Mexico
The site of advanced Amerindian civilizations, Mexico came under Spanish rule for three centuries before achieving independence early in the 19th century. A devaluation of the peso in late 1994 threw Mexico into economic turmoil, triggering the worst recession in over half a century. The nation continues to make an impressive recovery. Ongoing economic and social concerns include low real wages, underemployment, inequitable income distribution, and few advancement opportunities for the largely Amerindian population in the impoverished southern states. Mexico has a free market economy that recently entered the trillion dollar class. It contains a mixture of modern and outmoded industry and agriculture. Per capita income is one-fourth that of the US; income distribution remains highly unequal.Humana People to People is planning to start a Child Aid project in South of Mexico in 2009.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes, characterized by beauty that stands in sharp contrast to the poverty and struggles of its people. It is a country still recovering from a decade of civil war in the 1980’s and the repercussions of economic “shock therapy” during the 1990’s. Nicaragua is among the poorest countries in the Americas. Most rural areas and many urban neighborhoods are deeply impoverished making illiteracy, malnutrition, illness and unemployment widespread.
Humana People to People is planning to start a Child Aid project in Nicaragua in 2010.
Nicaragua is the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes, characterized by beauty that stands in sharp contrast to the poverty and struggles of its people. It is a country still recovering from a decade of civil war in the 1980’s and the repercussions of economic “shock therapy” during the 1990’s. Nicaragua is among the poorest countries in the Americas. Most rural areas and many urban neighborhoods are deeply impoverished making illiteracy, malnutrition, illness and unemployment widespread.Humana People to People is planning to start a Child Aid project in Nicaragua in 2010.
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