Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, has one of the lowest income rates and health and educational levels in the country. The region is made up of mostly Mayan inhabitants living in extremely rural and isolated communities. It has the highest level of child malnutrition and "stunting" in all of Guatemala. Though there is enough food to avoid starvation, the people’s diets lack the nutrients needed for children to grow and develop normally, both physically and mentally. In 2020, the residents not only were dealing with COVID-19, but also two large hurricanes, Eta and Iota, which made living conditions even more dire.
In response to these problems, and with the financial support of Pat and Florence King, CHOICE Humanitarian undertook a comprehensive social and economic development program called Guatemala LIFE. It was designed to enable the Alta Verapaz region to lift themselves out of poverty and is one of the largest programs CHOICE has undertaken. The program focused on creating food resilience through community gardens, increasing community organization, teaching entrepreneurial skills, and creating jobs through the growth of small businesses.
Unfortunately, the start of the program corresponded with the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, cutting CHOICE off from many communities within Alta Verapaz and essentially halting all progress on these original goals. However, in the midst of the terrible hurricanes came an opportunity for CHOICE to fulfill immediate needs and build strong relationships in the region. The hurricanes flooded almost 80 percent of the area.
CHOICE immediately pivoted from its original plans to meet the new challenges. CHOICE partnered with several organizations to provide three phases of relief including helping people locate and communicate with their families, providing access to medical care, and distributing food. The swift response to the hurricane was made possible by Pat and Florence King, who graciously allowed CHOICE to reallocate their donation to meet unpredicted needs.
CHOICE’s quick response boosted the relationships with community leaders, who determined where resources were needed, opened the communities, and positively affected the Guatemala LIFE program outcomes in the long-term. Emergency relief needs have since decreased and the original Guatemala LIFE plans for community development have begun. CHOICE continues to focus on helping people respond to the effects of the hurricanes and provide medical relief to those who need it.
At the time that this program was heavily underway, there were a few natural disasters—namely, devastating hurricanes that flooded the area, rendering the local communities in need of emergency aid. The CHOICE team and local leaders organized a medical service day. Individuals from the Candelaria Yalicar community and all surrounding areas received emergency medical aid and cleaning supplies while long-term solutions could be formulated. CHOICE partners helped provide food, clean water, and hand sanitizer. The event included the support of the Red Cross Guatemalan Cobán headquarters who provided free medicine to individuals who needed it. Fourteen doctors provided care in general medicine, pediatrics, and gynecology. Those with chronic health issues who were unable to travel were treated in their homes. CHOICE was able to help in these ways: