Pig farming will provide Indigenous Ixil women in El Quiché the economic resources and technical skills to create sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families.
The Ixil are a highland Maya community in Guatemala who are still suffering the effects of the decades-long Guatemalan civil war. Families in the region are unable to purchase basic necessities, much less livestock; the value of corn and beans (their principal crops) can not support the families that produce them, forcing young people to emigrate to urban centers in search of better livelihoods. 350 Ixil women will participate in this food security and economic development project.
Provide pigs and supplies to 350 women in several villages; train 12 participants to lead ongoing trainings and manage the project; develop a marketing plan that includes local and urban markets; create revolving loan fund to enable new participation
Improved nutrition for Ixil women and families in El Quiché; economic self-sufficiency; improved status of participants (from income) in home and community will enable them to take on household and community leadership roles.
