John Barlow, Member of Parliament for Macleod, reiterates support to increase access to basic education, improve water and sanitation systems and provide access to microfinance in Honduras and Guatemala
High River, Alberta – (October 16), (MP TBC) M.P. John Barlow reiterated the Harper Government’s support toward a project implemented by the Canadian Rotary Collaboration for International Development (CRCID) in Honduras and Guatemala.
The Government of Canada has worked in collaboration with Canadian Rotarians since the late 1970s and with the CRCID since 1986 to partner on projects to improve the lives of people around the globe. The Rotary approach of community-level fundraising increases the engagement of individual Canadians and strengthens the bonds of friendship between the developed and developing world. Canadian Rotarians and the Harper Government have worked closely together on eradicating polio. Prime Minister Harper launched the “Pennies and More for Polio” fundraising drive to support the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, a global program initiated by Rotarians.
By increasing access to basic education in Guatemala, and by improving water and sanitation systems and providing access to microfinance in Honduras, this new project will provide increased opportunities for vulnerable people to enjoy improved household income and health.
“As a Rotarian, I am thrilled to see the support of the Canadian Government in partnering with the Canadian Rotary Collaboration for International Development. Access to education, clean water and sanitation systems is a basic right of Canadian life and it is important for us to share that right with people in developing countries. Canadian Rotarians, with their history of community fundraising, are ideal partners in this endeavor.” ~John Barlow, M.P. Macleod
One of the goals of Canada’s Strategy for Engagement in the Americas is to increase security and improve socio-economic conditions for the most vulnerable groups in the region.
Quick Facts
•Sixty percent of Hondurans and 54 percent of Guatemalans live in poverty, while 18 percent of Hondurans and 14 percent of Guatemalans live in extreme poverty, surviving on less than US$1.25/day.
•Canada views increased engagement through trade and commercial-economic ties as one of the best ways to promote sustainable economic growth in the Americas.
•Canada is committed to targeting the most effective ways to reduce maternal and child deaths in developing countries, including by improving access to quality water and sanitation to reduce the burden of leading diseases.
•On May 28–30, 2014, in Toronto, the Prime Minister hosted the Saving Every Woman, Every Child: Within Arm’s Reach summit. At the summit, Canada committed $3.5 billion in support for the period 2015–2020 and renewed global momentum to advance maternal, newborn and child health as a global priority beyond 2015.
Improving the Quality of Life of Vulnerable People in Central America
Canada is contributing$1.1 million over one year to the Improving the Quality of Life of Vulnerable People in Central America project, implemented by the Canadian Rotary Collaboration for International Development (CRCID).
This projects aims to improve education, health, and access to microfinance for low-income families, particularly women and children, in Honduras and Guatemala, reaching nearly 70,000 people.Activities include:
- providing scholarships to six teachers and 43 students;
- constructing/renovating classrooms and school facilities (classrooms, washrooms, a kitchen, playgrounds, offices and storage rooms), and providing necessary teaching and learning materials;
- installing community water systems for up to 370 households; and
- increasing access to microfinancing products (with up to 240 new loans) and microbusiness training.
These activities are expected to lead to:an increased number of students attending and successfully completing various levels of education in Guatemala; improved access to quality water and sanitation in communities and schools in Honduras; and, improved sustainable income for women and their families in Honduras.
CRCID and its implementing partners have more than 30 years of experience working with DFATD and have been actively engaged in the delivery of community development projects in Honduras and Guatemala for more than a decade.