The people of Panabaj are living in temporary shelters on a field outside the village.
Guatemala (MNN) ― Almost three years ago, massive mudslides caused by Hurricane Stan buried the town of Panabaj, Guatemala, killing more than 1,000 people and destroying the hospital, school, and police station. Now, Orphan Outreach is partnering with a Baptist pastor who grew up in Panabaj to establish a private Christian school.
The school will be associated with Pastor Diego's church and will serve preschool and elementary students up through second grade. 125 children are currently registered. Construction is ready to begin, but funds are urgently needed so the school can open on schedule in January 2009.
As the village slowly rebuilds, most of the people live outside of it in temporary housing. Many children are not going to school.
According to UNICEF, 70 percent of the people of Guatemala live below the poverty line. Illiteracy, infant mortality, and life expectancies are among the worst in the region.
Only two out of every ten children who enter primary school in rural areas complete primary school. About 67 percent of indigenous children suffer from chronic malnutrition, and 27 percent of all children under 5 are underweight.
The school in Panabaj needs funds for renovating the school building, operating the school, and providing furnishings and educational supplies. Click here if you are interested in supporting this ministry.
