2022 – 2023 Grants

Most the of family kitchens in these rural communities are without windows or lighting. The walls and ceilings are low not allowing light to come in, making it difficult to see what they are cooking in their pots, “it’s like cooking in the dark”. There is a lot of soot on the walls and ceilings that is not only contaminating their food, causing respiratory illnesses in the women and children who are more often in the kitchens.

This project will implement 10 kitchen improvements (new raised cooking surfaces and ventilating the smoke to the outside). The overall goal is to provide a safe and more smoke/soot free environment and reduce the incidences of respiratory disease in these communities.

Most the of family kitchens in these rural communities are without windows or lighting. The walls and ceilings are low not allowing light to come in, making it difficult to see what they are cooking in their pots, “it’s like cooking in the dark”. There is a lot of soot on the walls and ceilings that is not only contaminating their food, causing respiratory illnesses in the women and children who are more often in the kitchens.

This project will implement 15 kitchen improvements (new raised cooking surfaces and ventilating the smoke to the outside). The overall goal is to provide a safe and more smoke/soot free environment and reduce the incidences of respiratory disease in these communities

Most the of family kitchens in these rural communities are without windows or lighting. The walls and ceilings are low not allowing light to come in, making it difficult to see what they are cooking in their pots, “it’s like cooking in the dark”. There is a lot of soot on the walls and ceilings that is not only contaminating their food, causing respiratory illnesses in the women and children who are more often in the kitchens.

This project will implement 15 kitchen improvements (new raised cooking surfaces and ventilating the smoke to the outside). The overall goal is to provide a safe and more smoke/soot free environment and reduce the incidences of respiratory disease in these communities.

Most the of family kitchens in these rural communities are without windows or lighting. The walls and ceilings are low not allowing light to come in, making it difficult to see what they are cooking in their pots, “it’s like cooking in the dark”. There is a lot of soot on the walls and ceilings that is not only contaminating their food, causing respiratory illnesses in the women and children who are more often in the kitchens.

This project will implement 15 kitchen improvements (new raised cooking surfaces and ventilating the smoke to the outside). The overall goal is to provide a safe and more smoke/soot free environment and reduce the incidences of respiratory disease in these communities.

Most the of family kitchens in these rural communities are without windows or lighting. The walls and ceilings are low not allowing light to come in, making it difficult to see what they are cooking in their pots, “it’s like cooking in the dark”. There is a lot of soot on the walls and ceilings that is not only contaminating their food, causing respiratory illnesses in the women and children who are more often in the kitchens.

This project will implement 15 kitchen improvements (new raised cooking surfaces and ventilating the smoke to the outside). The overall goal is to provide a safe and more smoke/soot free environment and reduce the incidences of respiratory disease in these communities.

Most the of family kitchens in these rural communities are without windows or lighting. The walls and ceilings are low not allowing light to come in, making it difficult to see what they are cooking in their pots, “it’s like cooking in the dark”. There is a lot of soot on the walls and ceilings that is not only contaminating their food, causing respiratory illnesses in the women and children who are more often in the kitchens.

This project will implement 15 kitchen improvements (new raised cooking surfaces and ventilating the smoke to the outside). The overall goal is to provide a safe and more smoke/soot free environment and reduce the incidences of respiratory disease in these communities.

This community is one of extreme poverty and needs assistance to improve the productivity of the crops and pastures. Water is scarce and water management is difficult. Climate change has seriously affected the cultivation of both coffee and food, rainfall has been reduced to only four months per year. They have been able to distribute the water through a system of channels to the producers by flooding, which can cause erosion of the soils and under-utilization of the water resources. This grant will build small reservoirs that benefit 4 or 5 families and allow them to store their water quotas and install a sprinkler irrigation system. This would make it possible to have enough water at the time of the flowering of the coffee and to achieve an increase in production and quality, as well as ensure water for production of vegetables and quinoa and kiwicha.

Funds will be used for materials (cement, pipes, plastic liners, sprinklers and hose) to construct the reservoirs, as well as qualified workforce, transportation of materials and some technical advice

This community is one of extreme poverty and needs assistance to improve the productivity of the crops and pastures. Water is scarce and water management is difficult. Climate change has seriously affected the cultivation of both coffee and food, rainfall has been reduced to only four months per year. They have been able to distribute the water through a system of channels to the producers by flooding, which can cause erosion of the soils and under-utilization of the water resources. This grant will build small reservoirs that benefit 4 or 5 families and allow them to store their water quotas and install a sprinkler irrigation system. This would make it possible to have enough water at the time of the flowering of the coffee and to achieve an increase in production and quality, as well as ensure water for production of vegetables and quinoa and kiwicha.

Funds will be used for materials (cement, pipes, plastic liners, sprinklers and hose) to construct the reservoirs, as well as qualified workforce, transportation of materials and some technical advice.

This community is one of extreme poverty and needs assistance to improve the productivity of the crops and pastures. Water is scarce and water management is difficult. Climate change has seriously affected the cultivation of both coffee and food, rainfall has been reduced to only four months per year. They have been able to distribute the water through a system of channels to the producers by flooding, which can cause erosion of the soils and under-utilization of the water resources. This grant will build small reservoirs that benefit 4 or 5 families and allow them to store their water quotas and install a sprinkler irrigation system. This would make it possible to have enough water at the time of the flowering of the coffee and to achieve an increase in production and quality, as well as ensure water for production of vegetables and quinoa and kiwicha.

Funds will be used for materials (cement, pipes, plastic liners, sprinklers and hose) to construct the reservoirs, as well as qualified workforce, transportation of materials and some technical advice.

This community is one of extreme poverty and needs assistance to improve the productivity of the crops and pastures. Water is scarce and water management is difficult. Climate change has seriously affected the cultivation of both coffee and food, rainfall has been reduced to only four months per year. They have been able to distribute the water through a system of channels to the producers by flooding, which can cause erosion of the soils and under-utilization of the water resources. This grant will build small reservoirs that benefit 4 or 5 families and allow them to store their water quotas and install a sprinkler irrigation system. This would make it possible to have enough water at the time of the flowering of the coffee and to achieve an increase in production and quality, as well as ensure water for production of vegetables and quinoa and kiwicha.

Funds will be used for materials (cement, pipes, plastic liners, sprinklers and hose) to construct the reservoirs, as well as qualified workforce, transportation of materials and some technical advice.

This community is one of extreme poverty and needs assistance to improve the productivity of the crops and pastures. Water is scarce and water management is difficult. Climate change has seriously affected the cultivation of both coffee and food, rainfall has been reduced to only four months per year. They have been able to distribute the water through a system of channels to the producers by flooding, which can cause erosion of the soils and under-utilization of the water resources. This grant will build small reservoirs that benefit 4 or 5 families and allow them to store their water quotas and install a sprinkler irrigation system. This would make it possible to have enough water at the time of the flowering of the coffee and to achieve an increase in production and quality, as well as ensure water for production of vegetables and quinoa and kiwicha.

Funds will be used for materials (irrigation pipes. hoses and sprinklers) to improve the irrigation system to coffee producers, as well as provide for the qualified workforce, transportation of materials and some technical advice.

This community is one of extreme poverty and needs assistance to improve the productivity of the crops and pastures. Water is scarce and water management is difficult. Climate change has seriously affected the cultivation of both coffee and food, rainfall has been reduced to only four months per year. They have been able to distribute the water through a system of channels to the producers by flooding, which can cause erosion of the soils and under-utilization of the water resources. This grant will build small reservoirs that benefit 4 or 5 families and allow them to store their water quotas and install a sprinkler irrigation system. This would make it possible to have enough water at the time of the flowering of the coffee and to achieve an increase in production and quality, as well as ensure water for production of vegetables and quinoa and kiwicha.

Funds will be used for materials (irrigation pipes. hoses and sprinklers) to improve the irrigation system to coffee producers, as well as provide for the qualified workforce, transportation of materials and some technical advice.

This community is one of extreme poverty and needs assistance to improve the productivity of the crops and pastures. Water is scarce and water management is difficult. Climate change has seriously affected the cultivation of both coffee and food, rainfall has been reduced to only four months per year. They have been able to distribute the water through a system of channels to the producers by flooding, which can cause erosion of the soils and under-utilization of the water resources. This grant will build small reservoirs that benefit 4 or 5 families and allow them to store their water quotas and install a sprinkler irrigation system. This would make it possible to have enough water at the time of the flowering of the coffee and to achieve an increase in production and quality, as well as ensure water for production of vegetables and quinoa and kiwicha.

Funds will be used for materials (irrigation pipes. hoses and sprinklers) to improve the irrigation system to coffee producers, as well as provide for the qualified workforce, transportation of materials and some technical advice.

The Andean communities are isolated from shopping centers, access roads are poor and public transportation is only available once or twice a week. The pandemic has made the difficulties of accessing not only food but supplies to increase the productivity of their crops, control pests and crop diseases that these people face even more evident. They are requesting funds to establish an “Essential Supplies Store” within their community. The store will be stocked with products such as pest control for coffee, maize and vegetable diseases, organic fertilizers and irrigation pipes. The inventory will be controlled by the Store Management Committee. The coffee producers will make payment at the time of the sale of his/her coffee.

Funding this program will contribute to timely pest and disease control and improve crop productivity and ultimately increase the family income. There are 83 producers (31 are women) in the community of Guadalupe.

The Andean communities are isolated from shopping centers, access roads are poor and public transportation is only available once or twice a week. The pandemic has made the difficulties of accessing not only food but supplies to increase the productivity of their crops, control pests and crop diseases that these people face even more evident. They are requesting funds to establish an “Essential Supplies Store” within their community. The store will be stocked with products such as pest control for coffee, maize and vegetable diseases, organic fertilizers and irrigation pipes. The inventory will be controlled by the Store Management Committee. The coffee producers will make payment at the time of the sale of his/her coffee.

Funding this program will contribute to timely pest and disease control and improve crop productivity and ultimately increase the family income.

The Andean communities are isolated from shopping centers, access roads are poor and public transportation is only available once or twice a week. The pandemic has made the difficulties of accessing not only food but supplies to increase the productivity of their crops, control pests and crop diseases that these people face even more evident. They are requesting funds to establish an “Essential Supplies Store” within their community. The store will be stocked with products such as pest control for coffee, maize and vegetable diseases, organic fertilizers and irrigation pipes. The inventory will be controlled by the Store Management Committee. The coffee producers will make payment at the time of the sale of his/her coffee.

Funding this program will contribute to timely pest and disease control and improve crop productivity and ultimately increase the family income.

This community is one of extreme poverty and needs assistance to improve the productivity of the crops and pastures. Water is scarce and water management is difficult. Climate change has seriously affected the cultivation of both coffee and food, rainfall has been reduced to only four months per year. They have been able to distribute the water through a system of channels to the producers by flooding, which can cause erosion of the soils and under-utilization of the water resources. This grant will build small reservoirs that benefit 4 or 5 families and allow them to store their water quotas and install a sprinkler irrigation system. This would make it possible to have enough water at the time of the flowering of the coffee and to achieve an increase in production and quality, as well as ensure water for production of vegetables and quinoa and kiwicha.

Funds will be used for materials (cement, pipes, plastic liners, sprinklers and hose) to construct the reservoirs, as well as qualified workforce, transportation of materials and some technical advice.

Most the of family kitchens in these rural communities are without windows or lighting. The walls and ceilings are low not allowing light to come in, making it difficult to see what they are cooking in their pots, “it’s like cooking in the dark”. There is a lot of soot on the walls and ceilings that is not only contaminating their food, causing respiratory illnesses in the women and children who are more often in the kitchens.

This project will implement 15 kitchen improvements (new raised cooking surfaces and ventilating the smoke to the outside). The overall goal is to provide a safe and more smoke/soot free environment and reduce the incidences of respiratory disease in these communities.

Most the of family kitchens in these rural communities are without windows or lighting. The walls and ceilings are low not allowing light to come in, making it difficult to see what they are cooking in their pots, “it’s like cooking in the dark”. There is a lot of soot on the walls and ceilings that is not only contaminating their food, causing respiratory illnesses in the women and children who are more often in the kitchens.

This project will implement 15 kitchen improvements (new raised cooking surfaces and ventilating the smoke to the outside). The overall goal is to provide a safe and more smoke/soot free environment and reduce the incidences of respiratory disease in these communities.

Most the of family kitchens in these rural communities are without windows or lighting. The walls and ceilings are low not allowing light to come in, making it difficult to see what they are cooking in their pots, “it’s like cooking in the dark”. There is a lot of soot on the walls and ceilings that is not only contaminating their food, causing respiratory illnesses in the women and children who are more often in the kitchens.

This project will implement 15 kitchen improvements (new raised cooking surfaces and ventilating the smoke to the outside). The overall goal is to provide a safe and more smoke/soot free environment and reduce the incidences of respiratory disease in these communities.

Most the of family kitchens in these rural communities are without windows or lighting. The walls and ceilings are low not allowing light to come in, making it difficult to see what they are cooking in their pots, “it’s like cooking in the dark”. There is a lot of soot on the walls and ceilings that is not only contaminating their food, causing respiratory illnesses in the women and children who are more often in the kitchens. This project will implement 40 kitchen improvements (new raised cooking surfaces and ventilating the smoke to the outside), workshops on the benefits of the improved kitchen, as well as workshops on how to maintain the improved kitchens. The overall goal is to provide a safe and more smoke/soot free environment and reduce the incidences of respiratory disease in these communities.

In November, 2020, coffee and other crops suffered damage from Hurricanes ETA and IOTA, causing water erosion in the soil, landslides and infertility in the soil making it necessary to organically replenish the soil and nourish the coffee plant. There were 15,530 hectares of coffee affected by hurricanes, landslides and low land fertility causing low productivity.

The objective of the project is to replenish the soil with organic compost and raw materials, as well as provide funds for new seed beds and materials needed to help these women coffee producers maintain their organic certifications and recover their coffee crops damages by the hurricanes.

Funding this project will directly benefit 20 women from the Ixil communities of two municipalities, Santa Maria Nebaj and San Juan Cotzal. Indirectly, 20 families that are the family nucleus of the 20 producers will benefit, with a total of 100 people benefiting indirectly.

This is a priority for them for three (3) reasons: It is necessary to train the next generations; to reduce the youth migration; to defend local food sovereignty. Coffee is the main income-generating crop for the families, making it necessary to help to solve some of their most pressing needs, such as the right to education, health and food. This situation makes them vulnerable when they must depend on a single crop or source of income. The cooperative is currently made up of elderly members, which makes in urgent to for a generational replacement.

This proposal focuses on creating a training plan aimed at strengthen the workforce of the young people between 15 and 24 years of age. The topics to be shared not only aim to expand knowledge about coffee culture, but also to diversify the “human plot of each of them”. The term “human plot” refers to the accumulation of knowledge acquired in different spaces of coexistence, from your family, community, educational, organizational, religious among others. The training plan aims to nourish with new knowledge and practices the “human plot” of each of the participants in different aspects such as:
* Production and cultural process of Coffee (ranging from planting, harvesting and marketing, etc.)
* Gender equity and the environment
* Human Development and Sustainability
The funds requested will be used for workshop materials such as notebooks, pens, etc., as well as vegetables & fruit seeds and food supplies and training of the children of the coffee producers (approximately 112 youth) in 14 communities; up to 20 young people will be trained per community.