General
Quetzal
Aid Stichting is a Dutch foundation, established on the 17th of July 2003.
Our aim is to improve the life of the Guatemalan people by giving financial
support to three different projects. We raise money by selling second-hand
and new gear in our stand on markets and happenings. We also receive donations
from friends and supporters. On this website you can read more about the projects
we support.
In
our logo you find the quetzal, a flamboyant coloured little bird that has
its habitat in the rainforests of Latin America. It is the most sacred symbol
of the Maya's. About 60% of the population of Guatemala are Maya's. The quetzal
is a symbol for freedom and wealth. For freedom because the quetzal dies when
captivated and for wealth because its feathers used to be very precious.
The little bird is also depicted on the Guatemalan flag and the 'quetzal'
is the name of their national monetary unit.
General information about Guatemala:
In
Guatemala the difference between the poor and rhe rich is huge. The poorest
Guatemalan people are the indigenous who live in the rural areas of Guatemala.
Until 1996 there raged a civil war. The peace treaties then signed have never
really been executed. Human rights in Guatemala are still being violated.
For tourists, Guatemala is now one of the most unsafe countries in the world.
Data:
Inhabitants: 14,3 miljoen (2004)
Density of population: 127,7 inwoners per km²
Income per head of the population: 1750 dollar (2003)
Percentage inhabitants, who does not reach the age of 40: 14,1% (2000-2005)
Percentage inhabitants that has access to clean drinking water: 92% (2002)
Bilateral support from the Netherlands: 10,6 miljoen euro (2003)
(Sources: Department of Foreign Affairs, UNDP, CIA)
