Give efficient stoves to 100 Guatemalan families

During the past few months, the COVID-19 virus has continued to spread across Guatemala. Fortunately, as far as we know, no one in the Community Finance Program has been infected to date. While many people in their communities were minimizing the threat of the virus, our local team was ensuring that all of the program’s families had access to the most up to date and accurate information. Once those communication channels were established a culture of prioritizing the health and safety of the community quickly emerged. From that solid foundation, the local team was then able to design and implement further support.

Since economic and food insecurity was quickly on the rise due to the loss of jobs and other income generating activities, the team decided that providing home garden kits was the most sustainable and cost-effective way to support the families. We provided seed packets, how-to guides, and a video series that taught them how to start their own home gardens. Each family received 250 radish seeds, 250 swiss chard seeds, 250 spinach seeds and an ounce of mustard seeds. These vegetables are not only high in nutrition, they are also easy to cultivate and fit into the typical diet of the region.

Since receiving the support, the families have already harvested baskets and baskets of nutrition. They were so successful, that many of them began selling their extra harvest to their neighbors as an additional source of income. Many family members told us how enjoyable and satisfying it was to grow their own gardens and are planning to continue this practice even after things return to “normal”.

So far, there is every indication that the virus will continue to be a threat for the remainder of this year. And as some of the nearby communities become higher risk, the need for more support is increasing. Currently, the local team is planning on creating at-home medical kits that will consist of basic medications such as ibuprofen, simple thermometers, vitamins and other immune system boosters.