Where Does HUGS Work?
HUGS is located in beautiful Panajachel, Guatemala at Lake Atitlan.
Panajachel is a tourist destination due to the gorgeous lake and the volcanoes. However, individuals who are not educated and cannot find a job in the tourist economy are limited to extremely menial positions such as washing clothes, making and selling tortillas, or digging sand from the river to make concrete. These positions generally pay less than $3.00 per day.
HUGS serves 10 small villages in addition to Panajachel. These villages have populations of less than 1,000 and very few opportunities. Most adults grow crops and sell vegetables at the market. Village schools include grades 1-6. For further education, students must travel to a larger town.
Agua Escondida
Buena Vista
Caliaj
Guadalupana
Jaibalito
Patanatic
San Andres
San Antonio
San Jorge
Xejuyu
