In Guatemala our running costs are over $138,000 a year which cover everything from daily food and fruit, teacher salaries and self-sustainable income plans. Click on the thumbnails below to see it all in detail!
School building in Santa Maria
Maintenance of the schools is essential each year, and we put aside $2,000 for this as new classrooms, rooves and paint is always needed. As our numbers of students grow, it is important too to build new classrooms. Inclement weather also damages the building each year, hence repairs are needed!
Working in the vivero in Itzapa
Each year we invest $5,000 into Plan Reforestation, aiming to plant 25,000 trees in the local area, which also gives empoyment to some local mothers. We rent the land for the tree nursery and the local women tend the seedlings all year. Phoenix then buys the trees back, generating income, which are then donated to the families of our children in the school. Deforestation is a massive problem in the area so this goes some way to help.
Queuing to wash hands
Fresh drinking water is paramount for health of the children, and we spend over $1,000 annually to provide this. We also strive to have access to water for hygiene as the water supply is erratic, so we collect water each day, either from rain or when the supply is turned on.
Phoenix-Guatemala
Plan Moo
Eventually, we want our projects to be self-sustainable for the community, and over the next few years we will be investing $80,000 into Plan Moo (milk providing an income) and Plan Arbeja China (green beans). The families care for the cows and the beans, keeping aside some of the profit and the final cow, whilst the projects too receive income to cover costs.
Plan Fertilizante
To bring the fathers into the educational role, and to improve the agricultural yields and food supply for the family, we invest $10,000 a year in Plan Fertilizante. Each bag will provide enough fertilizer to prepare the ground for the family and at least give a better chance of a good crop, as we face climatic changes which can semi-destroy the crops
Plan Ancianos in Santa Maria
Education is a family affair, therefore we provide food parcels for the children's grandparents every three months for those with good attendance in the school. It also helps due to the scarcity of food for the whole family. $15,000 if invested in Plan Ancianos. The food dispersements include rice, beans, pastas, cooking oil, soaps, medicinal trees, soups, sugar and other necessary items.
Local Teachers in Itzapa
Phoenix invests $45,000 in local teachers salaries and other local employment, as well as secondary and college scholarships. Our teachers are all fruits of Phoenix' work; we have helped them through there educational careers.
Daily Food And Fruit
Each year we provide daily fruit and breakfasts for the children; 125,000 fruits every year! Our annual budget is $20,000 and provides essential vitamins for the children with the fruit as well as bread and atol (a hot maize-based drink) in the mornings as many come to school on an empty stomach.
Inmediate disaster aid
Guatemala is extremely susceptible to climatic changes and phenomenons as well as earthquakes. We have already provided immediate aid, including food, water, clothing and building materials after Hurricane Stan in 2005 and Tropical Storm Agatha in 2010. We hope to have a $10,000 disaster fund in place each year to provide a swift response for our affected communities.
Educational materials
The provision of educational materials for daily use allows the children to learn effectively. The parents must provide the essential items like work-books, though we proved $10,000 a year to make sure the children have what they need for a good education.
Celebrations
Cultural celebrations, including birthdays are very important for the children's lives, as well as keeping with traditions. We spend over $6,000 a year on celebrations, like Independence Day, Day of the Child and Christmas as well as each child's birthday with a present, piñatas and a snack.
