Refuge International (RI) is a compassionate 501(c)3 volunteer organization dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals through the collaborative development of sustainable programs in areas where healthcare, adequate nutrition, clean water and education are lacking or non-existent. Refuge International also provides opportunities for mentoring of students who wish to become involved in humanitarian efforts.
RI believes that all of humanity is of equal worth and should have their essential needs met without regard to culture, ideology or religion. RI’s Guatemala program covers the following areas:
- Education: Guatemala has the lowest literacy rate in Latin America. Through support of existing educational programs, their organization hopes to improve the level of education in Guatemala. Refuge currently supports 2 full-time teachers in Sarstun. The enrollment of children has more than tripled since the teachers have begun their work. A second school has been built on property owned by Refuge International. It has been exciting to see the growing commitment to education in Sarstun. There is a great need for all types of school supplies in Guatemala. Supplies are collected and shipped to schools in the areas where Refuge is currently working.
- Water: Every 8 seconds a child dies from waterborne disease. Through the development of safe and adequate water supplies, RI hopes to improve the health of those affected. RI has two drills in the country and are working to establish a team of drillers to “punch holes” in the earth all over Guatemala.
- Health Care: Refuge International works with local organizations to provide basic medical and surgical care where needed. In 2010, Refuge International will hold clinics in San Raymundo (February and October), Chocola (March, July and September), and Sarstun (March).
- Deworming Program: Refuge International’s goal of deworming children will benefit the overall health of those treated. Intestinal worms flourish in malnourished children. Parasites prevent the absorption of nutrients. By ridding children of parasites, the food they are given can be more readily utilized to grow and fight off childhood illnesses.
- Nutrition: Refuge International is seeking support for feeding programs in Guatemala. They distributed over 1 million meals to those who were affected by Hurricane Stan in 2005 with the help of USAID.
To learn more about Refuge International, please visit their website. To read about a recent Refuge International midwife education trip, please click here.
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