Quetzaltrekkers was founded in 1995 as a means of self-sustainable, grassroots fundraising for the functioning of Asociación Escuela de la Calle (EDELAC), with the overall aim of combating the unfortunate reality of children living and working on the streets of Quetzaltenango. Our job is to see that tourism dollars directly benefit those Guatemalans that need them most: namely, street children and children at risk of becoming street children. We do this by running tourist-orientated, guided-treks through the beautiful Guatemalan highlands: hence the slogan, ’Hike and Help’.
A bit on our history
Quetzaltrekkers/Escuela de la Calle was the brainchild of a small group of Guatemalan and foreign social workers. As one of the first operations to offer organized treks out of Quetzaltenango, Quetzaltrekkers embarked on the tough process of building and improving trails, establishing relationships with highland communities and acquiring equipment and volunteers. Meanwhile, our aid work started on the streets; giving classes and providing support to the kids living and working in the city´s main bus terminal.
From these humble beginnings, Quetzaltrekkers has grown to become the biggest trekking operator in Quetzaltenango and possibly all of Guatemala. As interest in our treks has expanded over the years, so has our ability to help Quetzaltenango´s street children. In 1997, we started a school in a rented space in which we could offer the kids a semi-formal education. In 1999, we opened Hogar Abierto, a dormitory that continues to act as an immediate crisis centre and – in many cases – a permanent home for troubled youth who lack families that can cover their basic needs. In 2004, the school was relocated to a purpose-built complex in the impoverished barrio of Las Rosas where we are able to offer a full educational curriculum to disadvantaged children from across the city and outlying regions. In their turn, these milestones have been underpinned by a number of EDELAC-run programs that focus on drug-rehabilition, family-building and community solidarity.
With the constant financial support of Quetzaltrekkers, EDELAC is currently helping over 200 children in the fields of education, housing, nutrition, counseling, rehabilitation and medical-care. The expanding alumni of EDELAC´s programs have gone onto become successful accountants, carpenters, mothers, fathers and teachers (some of which now teach at EDELAC).
Despite our successes, there remains much to be done. As an organization, we are constantly looking to expand our reach and impact in the Quetzaltenango region. Although we have grown and matured as an organization, much of our work continues to occur on the street-level as a beacon of hope for the region´s most destitute children and youth.
