Lecture on Experiencing Extreme Poverty in Guatemala

Introduction

• Speakers: Chris and Zach
• Background: Grew up in the US with similar life experiences.
• Objective: To understand extreme poverty by living on $1 a day in Guatemala.

Initial Observations

• Chino: A 12-year-old boy living in extreme poverty in a rural Guatemalan village.
• Global Perspective: Over 1.1 billion people live on less than $1 a day.

Experiment Plan

• Budget: Living on $1 a day each for 56 days.
• Income Simulation: Created unpredictable income by randomly selecting daily earnings.
• Microfinance Loan: Took a $125 loan to simulate starting a business (radish farming).

Life in Peñablanca

• Community: Mainly Mayan people speaking Kachikel.
• Challenges:
  • Lack of clean water and basic nutrition.
  • Difficulty in agriculture due to lack of knowledge and resources.
  • Health issues due to poor conditions (Giardia infection).
• Social Observations:
  • High student dropout rates due to economic pressure.
  • Community support observed, e.g., savings groups.

Economic Insights

• Living Costs: Major expenses were firewood and basic food.
• Nutrition: Limited to low-calorie diets leading to health issues.
• Microfinance Impact:
  • Loans made accessible through microfinance for starting small businesses.
  • Savings clubs help manage large purchases, e.g., cooking stoves.

Personal Experiences and Reflections

• Cultural Exchange: Built relationships with the community, especially Chino.
• Challenges Faced: Health problems, lack of energy, and financial constraints.
• Generosity of Locals: Despite poverty, locals like Anthony and Rosa offered substantial help.

Final Thoughts

• Understanding Poverty: Gained a deeper respect for those living in poverty.
• Impact of Partial Solutions: Realized the importance of small incremental changes.
• Community Learning: Learned from the ingenuity of locals managing limited resources.

Conclusion

• Personal Growth: This experience provided invaluable insights into the realities of poverty and resilience.
• Future Implications: Motivated to think about long-term solutions and the impact of individual actions on poverty.