On February 6, our Pueblo a Pueblo team hosted a special group of visitors-- 13 members of the Weyerhaeuser Family Foundation. Based in Minnesota, the foundation’s aim is to empower women and girls by supporting international programs, like Pueblo a Pueblo’s Family Planning Champions Project (FPC).
With Weyerhaeuser’s support, we developed a project focused on increasing knowledge of reproductive health and family planning, as well as access to contraception. In 2013 this project, Family Planning Champions, finally launched.
At the start of each year, ten women (the champions) take part in a series of trainings on reproductive health. The champions take what they have learned to their communities, leading community workshops to equip other women with this knowledge. Since 2013, we have trained 30 women as Family Planning Champions and educated even more women in rural Guatemalan communities on reproductive health.
With Weyerhaeuser’s support, we developed a project focused on increasing knowledge of reproductive health and family planning, as well as access to contraception. In 2013 this project, Family Planning Champions, finally launched.
At the start of each year, ten women (the champions) take part in a series of trainings on reproductive health. The champions take what they have learned to their communities, leading community workshops to equip other women with this knowledge. Since 2013, we have trained 30 women as Family Planning Champions and educated even more women in rural Guatemalan communities on reproductive health.
Educational materials for the Family Planning Champions. Photo courtesy of Daniel Lopez Perez.
During their February visit, the Weyerhaeuser group first stopped by Rxiin Tnamet, our partner clinic in Santiago Atitlan. The group was warmly greeted by Francisca Chiquival, the community program director, who guided them through the clinic’s services.
“Here at the clinic, women who are interested in family planning can come and find out which type of contraception best fits their needs. This includes women part of Family Planning Champions who receive subsidized birth control through Pueblo a Pueblo,” explained Dr. Maritza Alvarez, the clinic’s general doctor.
“Here at the clinic, women who are interested in family planning can come and find out which type of contraception best fits their needs. This includes women part of Family Planning Champions who receive subsidized birth control through Pueblo a Pueblo,” explained Dr. Maritza Alvarez, the clinic’s general doctor.
Dr. Maritza Alvarez at Rxiin Tnamet. Photo courtesy of Daniel Lopez Perez.
Vilma Mendoza, Pueblo a Pueblo’s Family Planning Champions project manager, also noted that women who attend workshops held by our Family Planning Champions “can also receive subsidized contraceptives at the clinic. Each champion refers up to three women interested in family planning to the clinic, to be further consulted by a doctor.”
After visiting Rxiin Tnamet, the Weyerhaeuser group had the opportunity to speak to three former Family Planning Champions and hear how this project has affected them personally. “Before I joined the FPC project, I already had two children who were less than 1 year apart. When I began to attend the FPC trainings, it was the first time in my life that I learned about reproductive health or family planning,” formed FPC beneficiary Juana Botan explained.
After visiting Rxiin Tnamet, the Weyerhaeuser group had the opportunity to speak to three former Family Planning Champions and hear how this project has affected them personally. “Before I joined the FPC project, I already had two children who were less than 1 year apart. When I began to attend the FPC trainings, it was the first time in my life that I learned about reproductive health or family planning,” formed FPC beneficiary Juana Botan explained.
Juana Botan, former FPC beneficiary, speaking with the Weyerhaeuser group.
“I was able to share what I was learning with my husband and also with other women in my community. By the time I had my third child, my husband and I were emotionally, mentally, and financially prepared to provide for this baby.”
The Weyerhaeuser group, FPC beneficiares, and Pueblo a Pueblo team.
As we begin 2017, ten new women will become part of the Family Planning Champions Project, continuing a cycle of empowerment. Thank you to the Weyerhaeuser Family Foundation for making the start of this project possible!
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