For the poor farming communities of Guatemala to progress to meet more than their basic needs, the tribal peoples need to embrace change. For example, they need to terrace their mountainous land to retain the topsoil which better guarantees a good yield of crops.
Adults frequently fear change.
So Food for the Hungry is focusing on education of the children which will ultimately bring about change. The public school system educates children beyond Grade 6 only if they can type, limiting opportunities for children of the poor farming communities. So CFHI has been taking teams of Canadians to build school classrooms in the communities. Working at the lowest possible overhead, CFHI focuses on long-term solutions to hunger and poverty, as well as meeting people's immediate needs. Knowing that long-term handouts can create an unhealthy dependence, we respect the dignity of the poor and involve them in creating permanent solutions to their hunger and poverty.