The Context

Guatemala is sadly known for having the highest child malnutrition rate in Latin America, reaching 49.8% among children under 5. The chronic malnutrition results from a prolonged deficiency in essential nutrients, particularly within the first thousand days of life. This leads to irreversible damage in physical and intellectual development, reduced disease resistance, and diminished learning and later work capacity.This situation arises because Guatemalan diets are predominantly based on corn, with minimal protein intake from either animal or plant sources. Legumes, a protein source, are rarely consumed as they cost three times more than corn, and when families have a small quantity, they often sell them to cover urgent needs.
To address this severe issue, ANPIL Onlus has operated in the Chimaltenango district since 2012 through the “AC’UALA” Program, aiming to supplement children’s diets to promote growth and motor/cognitive
development.

The Project

The general objective of the project is to ensure the right to education and health for children from the most vulnerable families.

Specifically, ANPIL Onlus has been operating in Guatemala since 2012 to:
● Ensure education and access to healthcare services for children in the
Chimaltenango region
● Contribute to improved food security, which means providing sufficient and nutritious
food and reducing the malnutrition rate.

Direct Beneficiaries:

– 250 enfants en difficulté vivant dans les 11 communautés impliquées dans le projet
– 25 mineurs atteints de handicaps physiques et mentaux.

Indirect Beneficiaries:

250 families in distress, involved in home training sessions on health, hygiene, proper nutrition, and family-managed agriculture and livestock microprojects.
1,200 children from primary schools in 11 municipalities/communities: Tecpàn, Paley, Chimixaya, San José el Rodeo, Camelias, El Sitio, Patzai, Chuaparal, Santa Apolonia, Palama, and La Trompeta.

Children involved in the project are guaranteed the opportunity to attend school by covering school expenses, providing educational materials, books, uniforms, and shoes. Additionally, we ensure periodic medical check-ups and a nutritional recovery program.

Impact on the Community:

The entire local community is engaged with training programs on proper nutrition.

ANPIL onlus also promotes agricultural production in families receiving food assistance, providing agricultural aid, technical assistance, and training sessions aimed at sharing good agricultural practices in protein food production and poultry farming.

Finally, families in need receive food supplies (rice, beans, chickens). Awareness-raising activities are also provided to primary and secondary school students and teachers.