Guatemala, June 15, 2021.– The Villa Nueva City Hall, Fundación FEMSA, and Glasswing International—committed to contributing to the quality of life of Villa Nueva’s children and families—laid down the foundation stone for the refurbishment and rescue of the sports court and the multipurpose room of Lomas de Villa Lobos II.
5,000 people in the area, including at least 2,000 children, will benefit from this intervention. The project will be conducted considering childhood. It will take inspiration from the Recommendation Guide for Child-Friendly Public Space Design1 promoted by Fundación FEMSA and the crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) focus. In addition, it will have a high civic commitment in a space identified and prioritized by the community members.
To achieve this, Glasswing International will hold community workshops to plan design jointly with community families and children, and experts in the field. So far, the planned project are as follows: (1) remodeling court and playground that will include a small urban gym, recreational equipment, furniture (benches and tables), retaining wall, signage, and murals, among others; (2) and a multipurpose room, including refurbished bathrooms and walls, kitchen area, repairment of ceiling and electrical system, painting, and others. Organizations estimate the project will be ready in August 2021.
“This project in Villa Nueva is the clear example that great things can be achieved when efforts are coordinated. Together with civil society, city hall, private companies, and organizations, we will ensure that this new infrastructure improves the quality of life of its inhabitants. In a few months, we hope that children, youths, women, seniors, and adults can enjoy quality public space to develop and improve skills. Through these actions we give greater value to the working people of Villa Nueva”, commented Javier Gramajo, Mayor of Villa Nueva.
1 See the guide at the Tejiendo Comunidad website: https://www.tejiendocomunidad.mx/recomendaciones-de-dise%C3%B1o
Eva Fernández, Early Childhood Social Investment Manager at Fundación FEMSA, said: “Latin America is the region that has urbanized the fastest, but at the same time, has high levels of inequality and violence. More than ever, we need our cities to help children reach their developmental potential and become citizens of prosperous societies. When there are more children and families in city public spaces, our cities become safer and healthier environments for all.”
With this project, Fundación FEMSA, the Villa Nueva City Hall, and Glasswing seek to positively impact the well-being of children and their families and take advantage of the resources and pre-existing capacities within the community. The organizations will also make complementary interventions focused on physical activation and intervention in public spaces from the perspective of children and their caregivers.
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About Villa Nueva City Hall
The Villa Nueva City Hall, through the Work Plan of Mayor Javier Gramajo, carries out actions that strengthen the rights and integrity of children and teenagers in the municipality, conducted according to the pillars of development, well-being, modernization, inclusion, security, and transparency of the 2020-2024 Administration.
This work can be verified on the official accounts of the Municipality of Villa Nueva on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube (Municipality of Villa Nueva), and our website www.villanueva.gob.gt
About Fundación FEMSA
At Fundación FEMSA, our mission is to positively impact people and communities through social investment for sustainability. We make a better future for everyone by working on three strategic areas: we promote efficient resource management for sustainable development, we promote the integral development of early childhood, and we promote Latin American art and culture.
For more information, visit us at www.fundacionfemsa.org or follow us on Facebook (/ FundacionFEMSA) and Twitter (@FundacionFEMSA).
About Glasswing International
Glasswing International is a non-profit organization that addresses the fundamental roots of poverty and violence through education, health and community strengthening programs. Its intersectoral approach creates partnerships with international and local governments, businesses, NGOs, and civil society. Since its formation, Glasswing International has impacted the lives of more than 1.1 million people in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States. For more information, visit www.glasswing.org.
Press contact: Héctor Archila, Communications Coordinator: harchila@glasswing.org or call 3037-6016.
