FUNDENOR AQ’AB’AL

Strengthening Rural Families in Las Verapaces

Indigenous families in Alta and Baja Verapaz, Guatemala with whom FUNDENOR works, live in extreme poverty and isolation. They have poor land conditions, little food, and few opportunities. This is where FUNDENOR comes in. FUNDENOR creates long-term impact through giving people ownership over their own process of development.

FUNDENOR is now working with the poorest 170 families in 5 villages to empower them to improve their lives. The families learn sustainable farming to diversify food production and how to raise small livestock. In addition, families learn about good nutrition, and family hygiene.

Three years ago, Dolores Chiquin, a 61-year-old Indigenous woman who lives in extreme poverty in the rural remote community of Nuevo Amanecer decided to participate in projects with FUNDENOR.  Normally, women of that age do not try new things.  However, Dolores is different. She says “that it is never too late to learn something new.” She and her husband learned how to produce and harvest their own vegetables, and raise chickens to prepare nutritious food, especially during the pandemic.   They sell the excess, which assists them to earn some income.

Two of their daughters experienced violence at the hands of their spouses. With Dolores’s support, they left the abusive relationships and returned to live with their parents. The daughters also learned the skills of growing and preparing nutritious food. They have become more independent and empowered. The lives of Dolores and her family have been changed forever. From extreme poverty and abuse, the family now has a better quality of life and hope for the future.

FUNDENOR is making a huge difference in the lives of some of the poorest families in Alta and Baja Verapaz.  We are proud of their work!

bookmark_flower FUNDENOR’s sustainable and innovative approaches are making lasting changes in people’s lives!

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