Did You Know?
On average, only 43% of children in Guatemala make it to the 7th grade.
(Source: worldbank.org)
Many children in Guatemala struggle in and drop out of school before the 6th grade due to:
Pressure to support their families through child labour
A lack of educational support at home (especially from parents who are not educated themselves)
Financial inability to pay for school fees and supplies
Inadequate nutrition to fully function in school
In addition, many children are in school but not learning. Of the children who do make it to 6th grade, only 40% reach the national reading standard. (usaid.gov)
As a result, many children become vulnerable to exploitative employers, substance abuse, gang involvement and abusive relationships.
At EDUPAVI Canada, we believe in a future that sees individuals empowered, poverty cycles broken, and dignity restored.
Meet one of the families in our program!
Who Are We?
EDUPAVI Canada is a Vancouver-based nonprofit that inspires local advocacy and partners with local Guatemalan organizations to combat patterns of poverty through education. Understanding the importance of preventative empowerment in the fight against inequality and injustice, we are committed to providing inclusive educational support to children living in low-income Guatemalan communities.
We recognize that children who live in the realities of poverty are not themselves less-than, but that they are individuals of equal worth and potential who face layered processes of disadvantage which often deny them the dignity to hope for a better future. By investing in their futures, we strive to ensure that the upcoming generations know their value and right to a dignified life, and are inspired to become agents of change in their own communities.
We are also driven by our passion for inspiring and empowering youth and activists in the Lower Mainland to get involved, practice informed advocacy, and discover their passion for catalyzing meaningful change.