The Problem

This program addresses significant gaps in maternal and child health:

• High maternal and infant mortality
• Poor nutrition in pregnant and nursing mothers
• Chronic malnutrition and stunting of children
• Inadequate stimulation of infants and toddlers
• Reduced mental and physical capacity of children

Taken together, these issues make it virtually impossible for Guatemalan children to grow and develop properly during the formative years of life. The impact becomes obvious when they start school, unable to learn and acquire skills for life.  These challenges are most acute in the rural Western Highlands region, where traditional Mayan culture adds another layer of complexity to the situation.

Root Cause

These challenges are primarily linked to a lack of knowledge of maternal and child health:

1. Midwives, who attend more than 70% of births in rural Guatemala, are not trained to identify high-risk pregnancies or to refer patients when complications arise. Most maternal and infant deaths are preventable.
2. Mothers, families, and communities do not understand some of the basic principles of good nutrition. Instead of healthy meals, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and families consume processed foods and high sugar beverages.
3. In Guatemala, the critical importance of stimulation is not well-understood. Parents need to learn that their children’s brains and bodies develop and grow when they’re stimulated during pregnancy and the first five years of life.