Maternal and Child Health

April 7, 2016

Guatemala has the third highest rate of chronic malnutrition in the world, and is the only country in Latin America ranked “serious” on the Global Hunger Index.

Because of your support at the 2014 Development Dinner, we have continued our maternal and child health project in Comitancillo, Guatemala, through the expansion of our school garden and improved nutrition program with project partner, AMMID. This initiative has been successful at addressing the need for improved health, nutrition, education, and economic development for marginalized populations in Comitancillo, Guatemala.

People like Ofelia Miranda, mother of 12 who, faced also with caring for her malnourished grandson whose mother died during childbirth, sought the help of AMMID’s nutrition program by joining the women’s group in her community.

“I worked really hard, attended all the workshops and taught my neighbours what I learned, so that we could work together as a community to improve the health of our children. We learned how to diversify our diet and how to feed babies to ensure they are receiving all the vitamins they need to grow up strong and healthy.

We have become such good gardeners, that in addition to feeding our family a nutritious diet from what we grow, we are also able to sell some of our vegetables at the local market, which has helped out our family income. We are very thankful for the help and support we were given to move forward and be successful. My grandson is now a healthy two year old, and I am forever grateful to AMMID and Change for Children for saving his life and changing our reality.”

Food Sovereignty Guatemala Health In The Field Indigenous Peoples