Link for Health

Safe Passage – Hope, Education, Opportunity

At Safe Passage (Camino Seguro), the mission is to create opportunities and foster dignity through the power of education. Safe Passage works with the poorest at-risk children of families living and working in the Guatemala City garbage dump. Within a safe and caring environment, they provide a comprehensive and integrated program that fosters hope, good health, educational achievement, self-sufficiency, self esteem and confidence.

Safe Passage was founded in December of 1999 as a 501(c)(3)  nonprofit corporation so that many could become involved.  Since then, Safe Passage has grown from educating 40 children to over 500!   It represents a community comprised of children and their families living in the Guatemala City dump area, a dedicated local Guatemalan staff, and caring sponsors and volunteers from Guatemala and around the world.

In 2006, the group was the subject of an Oscar-nominated film called Recycled Life.

Program Overview: Hope, Education, Opportunity

Safe Passage (“Camino Seguro”) opened its doors in 1999 to provide hope and assistance to the children of the Guatemala City garbage dump. Where others saw a lost cause and lost resources, they saw potential and determination in the eyes of these children. They believe every child should have the opportunity to receive an education and to go as far as they are able in school. Their programs are designed so that each child can gain the skills needed to obtain stable jobs, to be self sufficient and to lead their families out of poverty in a dignified and permanent way.

Formal education is far beyond the reach for many of the children living on the periphery of the Guatemala City garbage dump. They are unable to afford the school uniforms & shoes, enrollment fees, school supplies and books required by the Guatemalan public schools. With financial support from Safe Passage, each child is able to attend a local public school for the half-day term and then come to their center for educational reinforcement, caring and supervision.

At Safe Passage, each child receives assistance with homework and hands-on learning activities designed to reinforce basic primary school concepts through their educational reinforcement program. They also participate in a range of arts, music, sports & recreational activities, English language classes, and computer instruction that provide opportunities to learn valuable life and social skills.

Safe Passage is committed to providing each child with nutritional support, including a daily healthy meal & snack, medical attention from their on-site clinic, vocational training programs, and weekend clubs for girls, boys and mothers.  Additionally, Safe Passage provides services for children 2-3 years old through the early childhood program, and adult literacy for their children’s mothers.

Safe Passage currently serves more than 550 children ages 2-20 years old.  To find out more about Safe Passage, please visit their website, or blog, or follow them on Twitter.

Here is one of the many children who has benefitted from Safe Passage’s work: