CasaSito's Youth Development Program is working with 115 young people and their families in the regions Alta Verapaz and Sacatepequez. Many face severe economic problems that limit their ability to access and afford essential healthcare and medication, making it difficult to prioritize their health and preventative treatment. This fund will provide support to young people in the program and their parents who lack the resources to access outpatient medical care and pay for prescribed medication.
Alta Verapaz is one of the poorest regions, where up to 90% of the population live below the poverty line. In public health, a lack of personnel, shortages of medicines, and deficiencies in medical equipment are among the many obstacles faced by those in need of care and treatment. In Sacatepequez, while poverty is lower, the higher cost of living creates challenges for families earning minimum wage or lower making it difficult for them to prioritize health over covering daily living costs.
The health fund ensures that young people and their parents, who are in a vulnerable position due to poverty and lack the financial means to cover healthcare costs, receive prompt and necessary outpatient medical attention to prevent further deterioration of their health. CasaSito has established alliances with healthcare services in both regions, which will offer reduced fees for referrals for young people in the youth program, as well as their parents.
The Health Fund is aligned with the youth program, and for this reason it is not a stand-alone initiative. It serves as a practical support system, helping families weather especially difficult periods or cover one-off needs that promote a young person's health and well-being. It aims to strengthen the resilience and resources of 115 families, enabling young people to take care of their health and remain engaged in education, so that in the future they are able to live a life free of poverty.
