Our efforts began in San Jacinto, Chiquimula, and today our initiatives are concentrated in Guatemala City and Escuintla.

Priorities

Children

For ATD Fourth World, it is a priority that children feel heard, proud of who they are, and accepted and recognized by their community and by society. Through the following activities, we foster the comprehensive development and participation of children living in poverty:

• Street Libraries: outdoor spaces that foster creativity and help children discover a love of reading;
• Book lending: encourages reading at home with family members and expands children’s imagination;
• Educational support: offers assistance with schoolwork and lessons in a calm, safe environment built on trust.

Young people

We create spaces where young people can express themselves, discover who they are, and contribute through their own lived experiences. These encounters help them strengthen their sense of identity by deepening their understanding of their history and culture, enabling them to break the silence and find their voice. They also foster confidence, leadership, and commitment to the community, grounded in the values of equality ATD Fourth World promotes.

Adults

Our goal is for adults, especially those living in poverty, to gain confidence and feel free to express themselves and participate in their communities and in ATD Fourth World activities.

• Ayúdame a salir (Help Me Move Forward): In this space in Guatemala City, unhoused people feel welcomed and recognized in their human dignity. Once a week, they can attend to their personal hygiene, wash their clothes, drink coffee, and enjoy the morning together.
• Empowerment: Through this initiative, women living in poverty draw on their own realities, experiences, and concerns as a starting point for exploring issues such as education, health, creativity, and self-esteem.

“It’s the only time where I feel free, where I can laugh and speak confidently. Here I feel that what’s going on in my life is not just happening to me, but that lots of other women face daily injustices caused by extreme poverty.”

October 17: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

We commemorate this day by publicly recognizing the strength of individuals and families living in extreme poverty, who struggle every day to build a better future, to be heard, and to transform society. On this day, we recognize them as the driving force behind the work to overcome extreme poverty.

In the months leading up to October 17, ATD Fourth World members prepare ways to engage the public through cultural events, personal testimonies, artistic performances, reflections, and spaces for exchanging ideas.