Fight Child Malnutrition in Rural Guatemala

Students from La Cumbre Primary School gathered in the small school kitchen to listen to Sandy Mendoza, our Organic School Gardens Educator, talk about what they would be learning to cook that day. “How many of you have cooked zucchini before?” she asked the children. None of them raised their hand, and one asked if she was actually holding a cucumber.

“Zucchinis have vitamin A, vitamin B, and protein” Sandy explained. “Today we’re going to make a chicken and zucchini soup, it’s easy to make so you can make it at home” she added.

 Sandy went through each ingredient they would be using that day, asking the children to identify them and telling them about the benefits of eating healthy. All of the ingredients can be found growing in the organic school garden!

 At Pueblo a Pueblo, we know that cooking is a skill that empowers children to take an active role in improving their nutrition. These cooking workshops serve as an opportunity to work directly with our beneficiaries and promote kitchen hygiene-- tying back their long hair, washing their hands, washing utensils they’ll use, washing produce and how  to avoid the spread of germs and disease. They also learned about fire safety near the stove and safe knife handling.

 We’re always impressed by the kids’ willingness to participate in these workshops and are confident that teaching children new ways to use vegetables will inspire them to be little chefs. Your support makes it possible for us to encourage our beneficiaries to make healthy choices and fight malnutrition. Thank You!