In early 2023, passing through a hard time personally and trying to find my way back to the biology field, I stumbled upon a hidden gem in southern Guatemala, the community of La Bendición, thanks to applying to a job as a researcher assistant. True to its name, this place felt like a blessing from the moment I arrived.

From June 17-20, we had the privilege of hosting a week-long knowledge exchange in Guatemala City, marking the conclusion of phase 1 of our pilot project in collaboration with the Coordinadora de Mujeres Líderes Territoriales de Mesoamérica (CMLT).

The Association of Agroecological Promoters of Jalapa (ASOPROAJ), an indigenous organization of the Xinca people in Guatemala, represents a light of hope in the country's Dry Corridor, especially in the municipality of San Carlos Alzatate. Since its legal constitution in 2022, ASOPROAJ has grown to 80 promoters between men and women distributed throughout the region, there are currently 15 active members in leadership positions.

“El Día del Trabajador” or “Labor Day” is celebrated throughout Latin America on May 1st, but to us at TWP, we believe it should be celebrated every day! Our team is proud to collaborate with local partners that help train, empower, and engage people to work hard for their communities, natural resources, rights, and economic opportunities.

With a solid trajectory, FUNDEBASE has been walking hand in hand with Indigenous farming communities in Guatemala for 28 years. The organization is committed to respecting and preserving Mayan knowledge, wisdom and cosmovision, focusing on food production through Agroecology.

In Guatemala, we had the pleasure of meeting our newest TWP team member, Marlen Garcia (CAP Coordinator), reconnecting with our newest partner FUNDEBASE while visiting local communities around the Quiche Department, and visiting the community of El Tarral and other efforts by our partner Utz Che’.

In November 2023, I had the opportunity to participate in the Gathering of Agroecological Promoters, titled "Land, Water, and Seeds: Millenary Heritage for Good Living." The event was collectively developed by a diverse group of 80 promoters representing approximately 13 indigenous communities.

Back in November 2020, Hurricanes Eta and Iota (category 4 and 5) hit Central America with devastating force, causing rivers to overflow, washing out roads and bridges, eroding farmland, and flooding entire communities.

In light of the difficult situation being experienced in Guatemala, and in solidarity with the partners and communities with whom Trees, Water & People works, we join with the voices denouncing corruption, recognizing that this is the only way for the country to move towards a dignified future, with equality and justice.

In 2011, over 100 displaced families self-organized to purchase a piece of land. Today, approximately 75 families reside in “La Bendición”, Guatemala and the community continues to stand out for its strong leadership and capacity for self-management. After multiple years of fighting, La Bendición hit a huge milestone in June, 2022, when they finally celebrated having resolved the payment of the agrarian debt of the territory they occupy and own since 2001, a process of community struggle and perseverance.

Our project “Tz’unun: Ending Environmental Violence Against Indigenous Women in Guatemala through Empowerment in Community Forestry, Agroecology, and Collective Healing Spaces ” in partnership with Utz Che’, was selected as one of the winners of the 2020 USAID RISE Challenge, which aims to address gender-based violence (GBV) in environmental programs.

The community of La Bendición continues to stand out for its strong leadership and capacity for self-management. The most vital part of this community is not only its inhabitants and leadership, but also their beautiful lush forest. With the support of Utz Che’, the community groups (youth group, women’s group, and general assembly) have been a part of forest conservation projects, and its proper management and care for years. This year, in collaboration with TWP, Utz Che’, and Colorado State University, the community participated in their first biodiversity project.

It is with joy that we share about the beginning of a pilot collaboration with the Foundation for the Development and Strengthening of Grassroots Organizations (FUNDEBASE) of Guatemala, as part of the goals of the TWP Central American Program to expand into new territories serving the most vulnerable communities in the region.

International Women’s Day gave us the opportunity to recognize and admire all the incredible women that have been part of our TWP family, and the new women leaders that have emerged through our work on the ground in Central America. This past February, our TWP team had the privilege to travel to Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, where we were inspired by courageous women who continue to advocate, organize, and fight for more inclusive and equitable opportunities for their communities and future generations.

In the midst of the Guatemalan Civil War in the 1980’s, the Peace Corps continued sending volunteers to areas of the country unaffected by violence. Stuart Conway and Jenny Bramhall were a young married couple, and arrived in Guatemala with the same wide eyes, willing hands, and open hearts as many Peace Corps volunteers. While Jenny focused on the needs of women in their community, Stu leveraged his forestry training from Colorado State University to start local tree nurseries in areas surrounding his village. The seeds planted in those nurseries were the genesis of Trees, Water & People, which would start its work in Guatemala over a decade later.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “Youth Development”? To us at TWP, we think of it as: acknowledging that the next generation will inherit the earth, and need to be involved in its care today.

“We seek to help create work opportunities that people can be proud of and that contribute to a higher standard of living.”

At TWP we believe everyone deserves a dignified livelihood. A dignified livelihood is more than income security, it's one that provides a safe and enjoyable environment, that ensures dignity and respect and gives constant opportunities to transcend barriers and grow. At TWP, this starts from within.

For centuries, Indigenous People all over Latin America have struggled with colonization, displacement, territorial rights, and reclaiming their indigenous sovereignty. In Guatemala, the civil war (1960-1996), sparked the displacement of thousands of people across the country, forcing them to migrate to other neighboring countries. After the Peace Accords in 1996, many families returned from Mexico, where they had taken refuge.

The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated the inequalities and vulnerabilities experienced by indigenous, rural and “campesino” communities. Girls and women are the populations that have faced most of the challenges. The confinement and the economic crisis impacted the worsening violence, greater care work responsibilities and a decrease in women's income, which was already precarious and unequal before the pandemic.

In the communities of Aldea Nueva, La Ceibita, and Piedras Negras in the Department of Jalapa, Guatemala, the community gardens are managed by three incredible women’s groups. While they play a major role in the creation and maintenance of the gardens, their children are also playing an active role in learning all about their ancestral knowledge, ancient foods and health.