Sustainable Livelihoods for 100 Families

Dear GlobalGiving Supporters,

I hope this message finds you well! I am delighted to provide updates on our recent progress in Guatemala.

Sarstún, Guatemala

EcoLogic staff have maintained close collaboration with the Office of Women in the Municipality of Livingston, focusing on bolstering women-led enterprises. In a region heavily reliant on farming and fishing for sustenance, these micro-enterprises aim to fortify women’s financial, organizational, and administrative capabilities, fostering their involvement in the local economy and income generation.

Our efforts culminated in the development of three comprehensive business plans for ventures situated in the communities of Tapón Creek, Lo de En medio II, and Sarstoon Creek. These plans centered on establishing corn mills and initiating local chicken farms for egg production, thereby augmenting the income of rural communities engaged in conservation efforts. Notably, the construction of these facilities was a collaborative effort, with each community group contributing their share.

Furthermore, we conducted a workshop on crafting homemade organic feed, which garnered participation from 26 women. This endeavor aimed to utilize locally sourced materials from the community to produce homemade concentrate, incorporating agricultural products such as corn, beans, tree leaves, Madre Cacao leaves (Gliricidia sepium), eggshells, sugar or molasses, and mineral salt.

The involvement of women's groups has proven instrumental, providing them with valuable experience in community group dynamics and empowering them to contribute meaningfully to each community organization.

Environmental Education

Moreover, our focus extends to the next generation, with thirty young individuals receiving training on the importance of tropical forests, mangrove ecosystems, and coral reef conservation. We conducted four workshops to kickstart this initiative. The inaugural workshop saw 30 youth leaders from the communities of Barra Sarstún, San Juan, and Nuevo Nacimiento Cáliz convene to lay the groundwork. Subsequently, three training sessions were facilitated by Artist Josué, utilizing art as a tool for self-reflection, empowering these young leaders as advocates and ambassadors for their ecosystems.

We extend our immense gratitude to you! Your dedication has made an extraordinary impact on the lives of the communities we serve. We eagerly anticipate keeping you updated on the progress of these activities throughout the year.

Thank you for being champions of change!

In solidarity,

Mario Ardany de Leon, Guatemala Program Officer