Filling gaps in women’s health and childhood nutrition
MATERNAL CHILD HEALTH
Deep inequities in Guatemala’s health system mean that many Indigenous mothers go through pregnancy without prenatal care, and children miss the critical support and nutrition that shape lifelong health.
Indigenous people are disproportionately disadvantaged in Guatemala’s healthcare system.
2x
as many indigenous women face pregnancy-related deaths compared to their non-indigenous counterparts
58
%
of indigenous children in Guatemala age 5 and under suffer from chronic malnutrition
1/3
of indigenous women lack access to healthcare and family planning services
According to the World Health Organization, Guatemala invests less in public health than almost any other country in the Americas. Rural and indigenous communities are particularly hard hit.
How we tackle healthcare inequities
Every two years, we work with a new cohort of 15 local mothers to address needs in healthcare and nutrition for those two years. Working with small groups enables us to make the most of limited funding and focus more effectively on each individual’s needs.
Through Pueblo a Pueblo, pregnant mothers and children up to 2 years of age receive free medical care – providing necessary support regardless of income.
Free prenatal & infant healthcare
Access to nutrition
Our bi-monthly workshops teach mothers to cook balanced meals with local ingredients, and we provide nutritious food baskets to families every month.
Women’s health workshops
Our local teachers provide educational workshops in people’s native language in order to equip women with the knowledge they need to navigate their general health and pregnancy.