What are the biggest issues facing the homeless children in Guatemala?
Claudia: Violent murders, children being abducted … and the Government’s lack of interest regarding the well being of our children. Are there any recent trends we are seeing with the young people coming to our shelters for help? Claudia: Drugs … they are getting worse and worse every year … drugs are getting stronger. Would you say the Civil War has contributed to the high number of homeless youth in Guatemala? Claudia: Absolutely! We are just now getting over the consequences of the war. The migration of children towards the capital is a direct result of the civil war, as is the economic situation. What do the non-homeless youth do for work? Can they even go to school? Claudia: The situation in Guatemala is very tragic but real. We rank in last out of all the Latin American countries … Haiti and Guatemala fight for last place … we are last when it comes to school, health, and nutrition: — 52% of the children in Guatemala have chronic malnutrition — An average of 2 children
