Giving Back in a Holistic Way: Strengthening Communities, the Environment and Animals
Wicho & Charlie’s has always had a clear mission: to give back to the local community, the environment and animals. Our company’s basic principles have included this commitment, which shapes all of our endeavors and interactions. This sustainable tourism company adopts a diverse approach and embraces several kinds of ongoing and one-time initiatives to support causes that are important to our communities and surrounds. Every service we provide embodies the core of our concept. Every interaction has the ability to help bring forward improvement, whether it is through monetary contributions, reviews, or other non-monetary means. We are proud to be able to state that we have created a tapestry of kindness with a never-ending sense of purpose that profoundly impacts people’s lives and encourages others to do the same.
A Consistent Effort to Support Animal Welfare
Among our ongoing projects, our loyalty to Santuario Vida Animal shines out. This refuge, located in Sacatepéquez, just 30 minutes north of San Lucas, is home to around 800 dogs and 200 cats. In partnership with the sanctuary, Wicho & Charlie provides substantial support. We decided to go a step further and pay the salary of a committed worker who assists the shelter’s operations, and also we extend a helping hand by giving 2,000 to 4,000 pounds of food every month, based on seasonal needs. Anaite, a wonderful 60 year old woman and Odi, her devoted friend and assistant, are the center of this endeavor shouldering the duty of nurturing this sanctuary.
A Distinctive Approach to Canine Welfare
One of our most recent initiatives exemplifies the combination of innovation and compassion. Recognizing the hardships of stray canines in the Acatenango area, we decided to take action and make a difference. In order to allow hikers and the four-legged friends of the area to coexist peacefully, we introduced small bags of dog food for hikers to bring to their hikes. This kind effort addresses the immediate hunger and prevents tourists to give them food that is meant to be theirs (and that is sometimes not suitable for our furry friends).
This kindness, however, does not end with feeding starving bellies. Wicho & Charlie’s acknowledges the crucial need of stray dog population control in order to create a sustainable ecosystem. In spite of this, our company has carefully set aside funds to have the first round neutering for dogs in Acatenango. This ground-breaking project serves two goals: it reduces the canine population while simultaneously enhancing the animal’s well- being. We plan to extend an open invitation to La Soledad locals to bring their pets for an all-expenses-paid neutering session. This comprehensive approach promotes education, knowledge and ethical pet management, all while maintaining a compassionate spirit.
Reviews as Catalysts for Change
As a company, we appreciate the value of feedback as a positive force. We decided to make a $3 donation to a single cause for every review, positive or negative left on platforms such as TripAdvisor or Google Reviews. These contributions directly add to projects of La Soledad and El Hato, where many of our loyal workers live. This deliberate approach ensures that each review makes a tangible contribution to the wellbeing of this communities. Furthermore, our philanthropic efforts have stretched to the area of education, by supplying basic furnishings to the local school at La Soledad village, enhancing the learning environment for the kids. Over the last two years, we have been supplying desks, chairs and other vital equipment to this school.
We are determined to provide children of this community with the tools they need to flourish, magnifying the power of education as a transformative force capable of breaking down barriers. Why is this key to the development of a community? In order for this answer to make sense, we have to address the educational disparities of public schools in Guatemala. The obstacles that the country’s public education system faces are evident in the context of its landscapes and diverse culture. While we wished the country’s commitment to education were clear, the reality in rural areas (specially) is more complicated. Companies like ours, which actively contribute to local communities and their educational needs, become even more crucial in bridging the gaps that remain in the system.
While Guatemala’s public educational system attempts to provide fair access to education, it faces serious obstacles, particularly in rural areas. The numbers highlight the enormity of these difficulties. According to UNESCO, the net enrollment rate in primary education in Guatemala was 83% in 2018, with a 79% primary completion rate. This figure, while suggestive of progress, also highlights the reality that a significant percentage of the population remains excluded from the educational process, implying that Guatemala has yet to achieve universal primary education. We know these numbers decreased after the COVID-19 pandemic, take a look at this graphs provided by UNESCO.
The factors that influence educational disparities in our country are many:
1. Limited resources: in rural locations, public schools frequently lack the basic amenities and resources essential for a suitable learning environment. Limited classrooms, obsolete infrastructure, and insufficient teaching materials all impede the educational experience.
2. Socioeconomic challenges: poverty and socioeconomic inequality constitute significant impediments to access high-quality education. Families struggling to meet their basic needs might prioritize their immediate survival over their children’s education.
3. Geographic isolation: because of Guatemala’s harsh topography, schools have logistical obstacles making transportation and connectivity arduous. This might result in inconsistent attendance and dropout rates, especially during severe weather conditions.
4. Cultural and linguistic diversity: Guatemala is home to 22 indigenous populations, each with their unique language and cultural practices. The educational system frequently struggles to accommodate these distinctions, leading to impediments to effective teaching and communication.
4. Teacher shortages: there is a teacher shortage in rural areas. Due to the lack of qualified educator, willing to have a minimum wage, class sized grow and customized attention is harmed, hurting overall quality of education.
Map from the National’s Statistics’ Institute, Guatemala. The most “current” map available that shows poverty percentages. Even on the oficial Secretaría de Planificación y Programación de la Presidencia, from the Guatemalan government, data up until 2014 is shown.
Empowerment Through Education and Training
In addition to these wonderful projects, Wicho & Charlie’s serves a transforming force in the lives of our guides, porters and guards. Our dedication to the complete growth of our team members, whom we offer English classes and physical therapy, exemplifying dedication that extends beyond professional limits.
In essence, our company’s influence is extensive and comprehensive, embracing not only the lives of animals and communities, but also the personal development and well-being of our employees. With the study of a new language, certificates and talents, these individuals have evolved into skilled professionals, enriching their own lives while improving the lives of others they assist. We’re very open about our motivations; our workforce resonates with a desire and a commitment to make a difference. Thanks to every single hiker who chooses Wicho & Charlie’s, you become a part of a story that aims to change the world one review, one hike, and one act of kindness at a time.
