Guatemala has for decades been plagued by poverty and extreme inequality. For many years, the country was ruled by military regimes, during which 200,000 people lost their lives. Guatemala now has a civilian government, although crime and violence are still widespread.

Local non-profit organization, Caritas Arquidiocesana has been working in Guatemala since 1962, sharing the mission of the Catholic Church to serve the poor and to promote charity and justice. Caritas promotes integral human development and solidarity, as well as institutional capacity building, so that the most vulnerable are free to flourish and live in peace and dignity.