Guatemala is near the bottom of the international rankings for Latin America and Caribbean countries in the following categories: literacy, infant mortality, life expectancy, nutritional status, and family income. In Guatemala overall, the average level of schooling is 2.3 years. In indigenous regions such as Quiché, it is 1.3 years, well below the 3-year minimum considered necessary to achieve functional literacy.

There is a huge potential for projects here. We must be careful, however, not to inflict our big ideas on an unwilling populace. With that in mind, Pura Vida will adhere to the following guidelines:

• We will work within the accepted norms of the Guatemalan culture.
• We will not westernize rural communities.
• We will seek the advice of local churches, schools and village leadership before initiating large projects.
• Whenever possible we will tread lightly when we visit, living and eating in the local style.
• Gifts will be distributed fairly, and will be useful, durable, and beneficial to daily life.
• We will not give candy to the local children!