Upavim Community Development

ranza, in Guatemala City. UPAVIM is a 70 member cooperative of women that seeks to create employment and educational opportunities for low-income women and their children through a variety of social programs. UCDF supports the running of the UPAVIM Montessori elementary school, community library, English classes, after-school program, free daycare center, community health center, and the UPAVIM crafts program- providing Fair Trade employment opportunities to women in the cooperative. Since 1989, these programs have provided services to thousands of families throughout La Esperanza and transformed the area into a viable community. "Esperanza" means "hope" in Spanish- and that is what UPAVIM has provided for over 30 years to countless families in Guatemala! Despite the progress that has been made in the lives of many, the community of La Esperanza still suffers from many of the social issues that plague many marginalized urban populations- gang violence, domestic violence, illiteracy, single mothers as sole providers, unemployment, alcoholism. We thank you for your support of this life-changing project!