Fundación Ríos por la Paz improves health and education in Guatemala

Fundación Ríos por la Paz provides a multi-layered social intervention model to 11 communities in Santa María Cahabón, a municipality in the Alta Verapaz region of Guatemala.

The organization works to break a cycle of poverty that affects more than 93 percent of the local population, who live primarily in rural areas with limited access to basic services. The foundation focuses on maternal and child health by providing nutrients and medical attention to mothers during pregnancy and lactation.

For children between six months and six years old, the group offers vitamin supplements and monthly nutritional screenings. These efforts aim to reduce chronic malnutrition and provide families with access to essential medicines and home visits. To address educational barriers, the foundation partners with organizations like Hermanas de María to provide scholarships for young people. This initiative helps students continue their studies beyond primary school while respecting the bilingual identity of the Maya Q'eqchi' people.

The foundation also integrates technological tools into the learning process to provide new career opportunities. The organization also promotes economic development through the Centro de Desarrollo Agrícola Comunitario. This center teaches families sustainable farming techniques to improve their diets and start small businesses. Additionally, the foundation runs daily weaving workshops to help local women turn traditional crafts into a source of income.