Ken and Oli Johnstone Foundation
(Kenoli Foundation)
A private Canadian foundation that works to alleviate poverty and hunger by supporting organizations that build community self-sufficiency and advance human rights in four countries in Latin America – El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. We focus on best practices that have been shown to make a difference in people’s lives and transform communities.
Our Program Highlights
Guatemala experienced a long civil war (1960-96), which continues to affect the country today. A large percentage of Guatemala’s 16.3 million inhabitants are Indigenous. The country has the highest rate of chronic child malnutrition (48%) in Latin America and this reaches a shocking 70% in Indigenous communities. Gender inequality in very high at 0.49[1] and women only hold 14% of the seats in parliament. The educational level of the population is low at 6.3 years of schooling[2] and the government only invests 2.8% of GDP in education. A high percentage (26%) of children under the age of 15 work. Guatemala is particularly subject to natural disasters.
Kenoli has seven terrific partners in Guatemala working on empowering girls and women, human rights, food sovereignty, holistic rural development, educational opportunities for youth, and indigenous land rights.
Honduras has one of the highest homicide rates in the world, with 75 violent deaths per 100,000[1] inhabitants. The country experienced military rule from 1963-83, and in June 2009 a coup d’état led to political instability and human rights abuses. Hundreds were injured in protests following the November 2017 presidential election, that many believe was fraudulent. 28% of the population lives in poverty with another 16% living in extreme poverty[2]. We have six amazing partners who are working under very challenging conditions. They are working on women’s empowerment, human rights, early childhood development, technical training for youth, food security, and holistic community development.