Guatemala in Focus
On by Ella Ronan
Read more about our work supporting community members, health workers, and activists in Guatemala as they combat injustice, ignorance, and marginalization.
We’re collaborating with local partners to support predominantly Indigenous Maya communities in Guatemala. Our efforts focus on strengthening healthcare, improving nutrition, empowering women, and addressing ethnic discrimination.
Globally, many countries are still dealing with the consequences of colonization, from economic exploitation to ethnic discrimination. In Guatemala, the Indigenous Maya communities we work with face numerous challenges to their health and well-being. These challenges—including lack of access to healthcare, chronic malnutrition, and restrictive gender norms—are exacerbated by the marginalization they experience within their own country.
“In the sixteenth century, the Spanish invaded and stole our country’s wealth. Since then, we have been divided, and the Indigenous population discriminated against by the Mestizo (mixed) population.” – Olga de León, K’iche’ Community Facilitator
We are collaborating with health workers, activists, public officials, and community members to support people’s health and defend their rights—whether improving access to healthcare, challenging discrimination, helping women empower themselves, or sharing vital knowledge around key issues.
“Thanks to those phone calls from [the local team], I learned not to be afraid of the health center. I’d always heard that they scolded and shouted at people there, and that they didn’t attend to the patients, but the doctor and nurses attended to me well. I lost my fear of speaking up.” – Isabel Uz Joj, Mother and Embroiderer
One of our current initiatives focuses on improving nutrition of pregnant women and their families. Guatemala has some of the highest rates of chronic malnutrition globally, and recent public health efforts have struggled to engage Indigenous Maya communities.
We’re teaching pregnant women about nutrition, conducting cooking demonstrations, and helping them to establish their own vegetable gardens, so they can grow diverse, nutritious food. At the same time, we’re supporting Ministry of Health nutritionists to improve their outreach and effectiveness.
“For the children, the vegetables we’re growing help them grow healthily; the vegetables have essential vitamins. It also helps children become accustomed to eating greens and herbs.” – Maria Marta Pu, Mother
We can only develop innovative, practical solutions to longstanding challenges thanks to contributions from our global partners and donors.
Please donate to our Guatemala in Focus appeal and support community members, health workers, and activists as they challenge injustice and foster healthier, safer, and more prosperous communities.
