At Pueblo a Pueblo, health education is an effective tool in our efforts to improve health outcomes among women and young children. When women are more informed about their bodies and their health care options, they are more equipped to advocate for their health and the health of their families. That's why the team behind the Maternal Child Health project at Pueblo a Pueblo leads monthly workshops to introduce project participants to new ideas and strategies related to health literacy and self-advocacy.
Many women in rural Guatemala do not have access to education on family planning methods, and many lack access to the methods themselves. In 2011, a national survey showed that only 21% of Guatemalan women of reproductive age reported using a modern contraceptive method, and 72% reported an unmet contraceptive need.(1) That's why family planning is one of the central topics covered in Maternal Child Health project workshops, and when project participants turn this new knowledge into action, it often changes their lives in meaningful ways. Two out of three women in the Maternal Child Health project use a method of family planning, and the project offers not only education on the various methods available but also subsidizes participants' access to those methods at a local clinic.
Many women in rural Guatemala do not have access to education on family planning methods, and many lack access to the methods themselves. In 2011, a national survey showed that only 21% of Guatemalan women of reproductive age reported using a modern contraceptive method, and 72% reported an unmet contraceptive need.(1) That's why family planning is one of the central topics covered in Maternal Child Health project workshops, and when project participants turn this new knowledge into action, it often changes their lives in meaningful ways. Two out of three women in the Maternal Child Health project use a method of family planning, and the project offers not only education on the various methods available but also subsidizes participants' access to those methods at a local clinic.
Fertility awareness methods are among those covered during project trainings
Juana* is a mother of six. She joined the Maternal Child Health project in 2017 just before the birth of her son Pedro. She was introduced to family planning methods when she started attending project workshops—but despite this new knowledge, she became pregnant again a year later.
Maternal Child Health project coordinator Rebeca Sosóf brought this up with Juana during a check-in meeting last year. “We’re not trying to impart that having children is a bad thing,” she told her. “However, family planning methods can help you provide for your children by considering your family’s situation in choosing the best time to have another child.”
Shortly after that meeting, Juana began to use a family planning method. During last month’s check-in, she explained why she had been reluctant at first. “I didn’t understand what family planning had to do with my life," she told Rebeca. "But I've now decided that in order to take care of my children, I have to take care of myself, too.” Rebeca was glad to see Juana take this step. “We’ll be here to support Juana as she continues to advocate for her own well-being,” she said.
Maternal Child Health project coordinator Rebeca Sosóf brought this up with Juana during a check-in meeting last year. “We’re not trying to impart that having children is a bad thing,” she told her. “However, family planning methods can help you provide for your children by considering your family’s situation in choosing the best time to have another child.”
Shortly after that meeting, Juana began to use a family planning method. During last month’s check-in, she explained why she had been reluctant at first. “I didn’t understand what family planning had to do with my life," she told Rebeca. "But I've now decided that in order to take care of my children, I have to take care of myself, too.” Rebeca was glad to see Juana take this step. “We’ll be here to support Juana as she continues to advocate for her own well-being,” she said.
Project trainings also introduce participants to pharmaceutical methods like this once-daily pill
Ana* finished up her time as a participant in the Maternal Child Health project in March of this year when her daughter Paula turned 5 years old. When she met with Rebeca for her final check-in, Ana expressed thanks for the knowledge she gained from the project workshops. “I learned so many things that I wouldn’t have learned just staying at home,” she said.
Ana told Rebeca that in January, she and her husband sat down to discuss their plans for the future and decided that they should begin to use a family planning method. She had not used a method before this year, she explained. “But after that conversation I was able to use the new knowledge I gained through the project to pick the best method for me.” Ana and her husband then decided to begin a project they’d been considering for a while: building a new bathroom in their home! Now that Ana has taken control of spacing her pregnancies, she and her husband feel more confident in their ability to save up enough to complete the project bit by bit.
Ana told Rebeca that in January, she and her husband sat down to discuss their plans for the future and decided that they should begin to use a family planning method. She had not used a method before this year, she explained. “But after that conversation I was able to use the new knowledge I gained through the project to pick the best method for me.” Ana and her husband then decided to begin a project they’d been considering for a while: building a new bathroom in their home! Now that Ana has taken control of spacing her pregnancies, she and her husband feel more confident in their ability to save up enough to complete the project bit by bit.
“Family planning can bring long-lasting change to the lives of women,” says Rebeca, “especially women who live in rural and low-resource settings.” |  Rebeca leads an educational session on reproductive health |
The stories of Juana and Ana are examples of the power of reproductive health education to empower women and their families. Rebeca and the rest of the Maternal Child Health team work hard to give women the tools they need to advocate for their health and the health of their families. Consider supporting the Maternal Child Health project today!
(1) Encuesta Nacional de Salud Materno Infantil, report (Guatemala: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, 2011).
*Names have been changed to protect project participants' privacy.
Interested in supporting the Maternal Child Health project?
The Maternal Child Health project is made possible by donors like you—a monthly gift of $30 sponsors one mother's participation in the project and provides access to preventive and curative healthcare for mother and child from pregnancy through the child's first five years of life.
Your one-time donation in any amount will bring pre- and post-natal care, reproductive health education, and family planning methods to mothers in rural Guatemala.
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