Program areas at Amigos de Santa Cruz Foundation
Vocational programs with leadership and input from the local community, Amigos opened cecap (centro de capacitacion / training center) in 2010. Each year, over 300 adults and youth take part in vocational training programs in cecap that include sewing, beading, weaving, carpentry, welding, computation, and culinary arts, among others. We run two social enterprise businesses connected to cecap that provide work opportunities to our students and income for the organization. Manos crucenas is an artisan store selling beautiful local handicrafts. Cafe sabor cruceno is a graduate-run cafe serving traditional guatemalan cuisine that is a favorite of travelers to lake atitlan.
Womens empowerment Amigos works with women in the most remote communities of Santa Cruz to promote gender equality, nutrition, and healthy families. Our program seeks to increase women's participation in the local economy and access to an income outside of the home by helping groups of women to start their own business and supporting women entrepreneurs to develop new business initiatives.
Support for formal education Amigos seeks to improve formal education in Santa Cruz in three main ways. First, support for healthy school snacks in preschools and primary schools, and better school supplies in all public primary and middle schools. Second, model preschool classrooms and afternoon reading program that are transforming early education and providing a positive and enriching first learning experience. Third, scholarships so that students may continue their education to high school and university levels.
Youth programs Amigos believes that encouraging a greater sense of responsibility among youth, together with support for formal education, is key to ensuring their success and involvement in community development. Our programs include sexual & reproductive health education for youth inside and outside of the formal education system, teacher training, youth leadership training, and professional development opportunities through the Santa Cruz youth corps internship program for recent graduates.