Project Locales

ROWKIDS provides assistance in many countries in Central America and the Caribbean. Here are some descriptions of the countries where we focus our efforts.

Belize

Belize is a diverse, peaceful, English-speaking democracy. Situated on the northeastern tip of Central America with more than 300 miles of Caribbean coastline, this former British colony is a trade crossroads between the Caribbean and Latin America.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is a colorful tapestry of Spanish, French, Haitian and African influences woven together by a rich and storied history. Christopher Columbus described this lush land as “a beautiful island paradise with high forestered mountains and large river valleys”. This statement is still as true today as it was in 1492.

Guatemala

Guatemala is a country of striking features and a strong indigenous culture. Its natural beauty and powerful identity stand in stark contrast to its bloody past and trouble present. Mountainous, heavily forested and dotted with Mayan ruins, lakes, volcanoes, orchids and exotic birds, Guatemala is one of the most beautiful countries in Central America. Its indigenous population, the Maya, make up about half of the population. Mayan languages are spoken alongside Spanish, the official tongue. Many Guatemalans are of mixed Amerindian-Hispanic origin.

Jamaica

Jamaica is an island in the West Indies, 90 miles south of Cuba and 100 miles west of Haiti. It is a a little smaller than Connecticut. The island is made up of coastal lowlands, a limestone plateau, and the Blue Mountains (a group of volcanic hills) in the east.

Panama

The Southernmost of the Central American nations, Panama is south of Costa Rica and north of Colombia. The Panama Canal bisects the isthmus at its narrowest and lowest point, allowing passage from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Panama is slightly smaller than South Carolina and is marked by a chain of mountains in the west, moderate hills in the interior, and a low range on the east coast. There are extensive forests in the fertile Caribbean area.