Fundación Centro Cultural Guanin, Inc.

Further about our programs is simple--we have more than 15 years of experience in the world of student and researcher services, exchange programs of all kinds, and educational tours all over the island, with accommodations available in resorts, hotels of all levels, remote inns and camping sites.  Our programs include Spanish programs, sports programs, historical-cultural-ecological tours, adventure tours, summer and spring break programs, volunteer programs of all kinds, Latin American and Afro-Caribbean study classes/presentations in English and/or Spanish, internships and other special opportunities for students and/or other interested persons in a wide variety, but they are not limited to student exchange programs.

Centro Guanin is a big family, where we provide free programs and services to a total population of approximately 5,000 inhabitants. 

The residents of La Piedra live in extreme poverty. Around 60% earn less than US$3 per day for lack of employment, and one in three earns less than US$2 per day—if they are lucky enough to earn anything!—which is why we focus on this population group. They survive by raising animals, mainly chicken, growing some food for local consumption, such as yuca and other vegetables, and by doing occasional odd jobs (chiriperu).  A few of the residents buy potable water, but it is only available in 5-gallon bottles that cost less than US$1 each. Only 10% of the residents have access to electricity, and there are no telephone lines, internet, or other types of technology available.

Centro Guanin´s principal concern is to ensure the security and wellbeing of La Piedra´s children and youth. In addition to our educational work, we want to be able to offer all of our people a first aid and general health care center that is as comfortable and efficient as possible, and thus save more lives. We want to have a center of which our community can be proud, where the people can feel that they are the protagonists in their own development and can help to support both their neighbors and their country.