Balanced Nutrition for Indigenous Families

Guatemala, in international comparison, ranks 10th in terms of chronic child malnutrition. In the project area in Sololá, where a marginalised indigenous population lives, malnutrition rates are far above the national average. Vivamos Mejor tackled chronic infant malnutrition as a multi-causal phenomenon with many contributing factors including structural ones. Focus was placed on supporting 250 farmers in diversifying their production systems. As a result, the farmers increased their crop yields, especially for vegetables, fruits and protein foods. Mothers were invited to learn how to prepare age-appropriate balanced diets for their children, and at home they started offering their families healthier diets. Better sanitary conditions and access to potable water helped more than 200 families to reduce diarrhoeal diseases among their children.