Special Study on Migration for the MCGOVERN-United States Program

Unidos is a project funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program that aims to improve school-age children’s literacy, increase the use of health and nutrition practices, and improve the effectiveness of food assistance through local and regional purchases. Global Communities with sub-recipient Save the Children are implementing the project in 450 schools in the departments of Huehuetenango and Quiché.

According to recent data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), migration from Guatemala to the United States is mostly rural, young and male. However, due to factors like the pandemic, inequality and violence, there seems to be an increase in women and unaccompanied children (Organización Internacional de la Migración, 2022). While 20% of Guatemala’s population has not received any type of educational instruction, it is worth noting that at least one out of every three inhabitants in Huehuetenango and Quiché have no education of any kind (2018 Census, National Statistics Institute). The migration study intends to increase understanding of irregular migration patterns of household members and their effects on school-age children.