Escuela de la Calle, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

Escuela de la Calle, EDELAC or "School Street" have been in operation for twenty years supporting the underprivileged children in Quetzaltenango. Their programmes focus on providing the children with study, food, and the opportunity for a better future.
 

EDELAC opened its doors in 1996 as a home for working children and those that lives on the street. Over the years the organiastion has served many children in the Huehuetenango, Quiché, Totonicapán, Escuintla, Quetzaltenango regions by providing care in housing, food, education,medical and psychological counseling, sport and recreation and spiritual care. 
 
EDELAC currently have three overarching progarmmes, and one income generating activity:
  • Education: designed to support children living in risk conditions such as of domestic abuse, alcoholism within the household or extreme poverty. The programme aims to create awareness and mitigate risks through education, mental health and human rights promotion.
  • HOVDE Shelter: provides a home for children and young working and living on the streets. 
  • Social Work Program: provides professional intervention to help children and women living in extreme poverty or in situations of intra-family violence through counselling, workshops, lectures & conferences in areas of sexual education, advocacy, self-esteem etc.
  • Quetzaltrekkers: an income generating activity offering mountain hikes in the highlands of Guatemala to support the operation of social programs EDELAC.
To find out more about their work, see their website.