Build a Sustainable Community in Rural Guatemala

Summary

30 indigenous families will raise egg-laying hens, chickens and pigs to sell locally. They will use the profits to provide school scholarships for children and start a reforestation project.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

The village of Cruz Nueva is more than 20 miles by dirt road from the nearest town. Goods such as eggs and meat, which must be brought in from other areas, are often priced too high for families to afford, and malnutrition is a serious concern for many indigenous families. School fees are also too expensive for farmers. This project will help 30 farming families raise hens and pigs for sale locally, using the profits to feed their children and send them to school.

How will this project solve this problem?

3 loans to 10 families each to buy livestock; training for the families in livestock care, financial administration and creation of tree nursery; creation of school scholarship program.

Potential Long Term Impact

450 families will purchase eggs and meat at affordable prices, feeding over 1,000 children. 80+ children will receive support for education. Participating families will plant 500+ trees, decreasing erosion and protecting aquifers.

Project Message

There is a huge demand here for eggs and we want to start filling this need. No one else is raising chickens, so we plan to create a manual based on our experience that we can share with others.
- Ismael Hernandez, project participant

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources