GUATEMALA

Guatemala is one of the most unequal countries in the world and among the most vulnerable to climate change. Rural families who depend on small-scale farming are facing repeated crop losses, rising malnutrition, loss of income, and, for many, the painful decision to migrate in search of survival.

In Rabinal, Baja Verapaz, many families live in poverty or extreme poverty. Voces y Manos is working alongside these communities to change that reality. The organization brings together Mayan ancestral wisdom and modern agroecology to strengthen rural livelihoods and help families respond to climate change in ways that respect their culture and environment.

Guided by a theory of change developed with community leaders—women and men alike—Voces y Manos promotes food sovereignty, the protection of native seeds, and care for Mother Earth. These principles are not abstract ideas; they are practical tools families use every day to feed themselves and protect their land for future generations.

Since 2020, more than 350 families have benefited from a climate change adaptation project led by local youth. These young leaders learn sustainable farming practices in model agroecological plots and then share their knowledge within their communities. At the same time, 250 children in six schools are recovering ancestral agroecological practices. Through hands-on learning with the traditional milpa system, children grow healthy food and learn the Maya-Achí concept of Utzilaaj kaslemaal—ancestral well-being and a good life in harmony with nature.

Community gatherings and school fairs strengthen this work, creating spaces where knowledge is shared across generations and women’s leadership is valued.

By building on ancestral knowledge and community leadership, Voces y Manos is helping families adapt to climate change, strengthen food security, and reclaim dignity.