(Education, (schools and scholarships) vocation and literacy training, health education, nutrition and family planning)

The Vamos Adelante Foundation, founded and directed by Nina Jorgensen, provides health, education and nutrition services to 23 villages in the region of Esquintla.  Currently there are no other permanent development agencies operating in this isolated part of Guatemala.  Many of these people have been relocated to this area and work mostly on a temporary basis harvesting sugar cane and coffee.  There is widespread illiteracy, malnourishment, parasite-related illness, alcoholism and other symptoms associated with chronic poverty.  Vamos Adelante has established schools and health facilities.  Currently they have provided 1,200 scholarships for children, and have established a literacy and vocational training program.  They have 300 more children awaiting scholarships.  They have also established a computer school for the handicapped in Guatemala City. Vamos Adelante is one of the few agencies that provide the much needed support for the elderly. 

Costs:

$100      1 year primary school scholarship (per student)                                          (Currently 300 students in need)

$27-$40  Food basket for elderly (per person for one month)