The planet is in a state of rapid change, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the highlands of Guatemala. Here, the Highland Support Project (HSP) has been working closely with the Association of Highland Women (AMA) in a transformative sustainable development program. The focus? A self-sustaining, circular economy that empowers Indigenous women while tackling climate change.
An Introduction to the Pollinator Garden Curriculum Packet
Over the months, HSP has been working hard to compile a pollinator garden lesson plan to encourage teachers to showcase the wonders of the outdoors to students within and outside the classroom. Our environment plays a huge role in our lives, and these lessons teach us its importance with the opportunity to get hands-on with it.
Standing Together: Guatemala's Indigenous Communities Unite to Fight Political Corruption
Guatemala has been going through political unrest since August following presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo’s win. He ran a campaign promoting anti-corruption through his political party, Movimiento Semilla, and won the popular vote. Elite politicians that go against Arevalo label him a communist and accuse him of wanting to deprive the rich of their land (Gonzalez Diaz). Attorney General Consuelo Porras, who claims she is “investigating the election,” has been accused by the indigenous community of trying to undo the election by seizing ballot boxes.
Diabetes in Latin and Indigenous Communities
Rosa Fuentes is a retired widow with seven grandchildren who was recently diagnosed with prediabetes. When she received information about the risks of diabetes, she did not fully understand how certain foods and recommendations were to fit into her routine given her circumstances and responsibilities to her family.
Spotlight: Professor Audelino Sac Coyoy
Professor Audelino Sac Coyoy is a Maya-K’iche Professor, Mayan Day counter, and political scientist from Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. He focuses on the Mayan time, worldview, culture, and identity. His role in K’iche culture is similar to a counselor and farmer almanac. He has given several lectures at different universities, including a 2018 lecture at Virginia Commonwealth University about the causes of Mayans immigration to the United States, and removing the stereotypes of the migrant caravans.
The Great Outdoors and Our Mental Health
While most know it’s important to spend time outdoors, sometimes it's hard to resist the comfort of the indoors or even the world beyond our bed. No one can deny the warm embrace our bedsheets provide, but let’s be honest; We’re never getting up if we keep staying here! The list of benefits just being outside has on our mental health is quite long, and they’re especially important for kids.
The Ripple Effect: How AMA's Initiatives Transform Highland Communities
The Association of Women of the Highlands (Asociación de Mujeres del Altiplano or AMA), located in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, was founded in 1993 following Guatemala's brutal civil war to help the victims and widows forced to live with constant discrimination, isolation, and harassment. Its goal is to help empower and make Highland women resilient by providing them with a network of support that promotes self-esteem, cultural identity, entrepreneurship, and self-determination.
Empowering Female Entrepreneurs: The Success of AMA's Virtual Merchant Program
HSP’s sister organization, AMA, has taken a significant step this past year in empowering Indigenous women through its Virtual Merchant program. Launched in partnership with DMM (Municipal Directions for Women), this initiative focused on bolstering business skills among Indigenous women, especially in economically disadvantaged areas.