Tzununá, Guatemala

We empower local community organizations and individuals to lead social and environmental programs that enhance the diversity, resiliency, and integrity of the local economy, ecology, and community of Tzununa.

We support local farmers by working alongside them to diversify crops and stabilize food security in the area. We embody the principles of permaculture to support local communities towards greater wellness in their lives and deeper connection with the land.

EMpowering Local Leaders

Our Empowerment Programs develop leadership potential and communication skills by partnering with local community organizations, encouraging the long-term resilience of these organizations and the continued advancement of shared goals. 

We have teamed up with Aj’Po, a local association of young adults, in order to support them as change agents within their own community. The association is made up of young community members between the ages of 19 and 27, who represent the 7 neighborhoods of the town of Tzununá. These young leaders are the on-the-ground team that implements and maintains WellKind projects. Within each neighborhood, we also identify 5-6 leaders that become the nodes for communication, feedback, and guidance.

Ecological Solutions to food security

Our Ecology Programs advance reforestation, water conservation, and organic food production, all of which protect the natural resources of Tzununá while enhancing food security and local access to clean food and water.

Family gardens and biological wastewater treatment systems are just the start of our plan. Beyond the establishment of dozens of year-round productive vegetable gardens, we identified select families who want to expand and make their vegetable gardens economically productive. We invest both start-up capital and training to help local growers access the surrounding organic market. We also focus on long-term solutions like planting native fruit trees. Last year alone, we planted over 20,000 trees.

Nourishing the local economy

Our Economy Programs provide trainings and small grants to local entrepreneurs and open access to new markets, which enable more value to stay and circulate within the Tzununá economy by starting local businesses and generating sustainable income for the future. 

We helped launch the town's first local market, connecting artisans with markets for their products, and have started awarding grants to new small business owners. Now, local artisans and farmers are bringing significant income into their homes for weaving, sewing, and crochet jobs and growing healthy organic crops.

Dignified Housing

“Previously my house was really deteriorated. A lot of water would fall into my house during the rain. Now it is much better thanks to the improvements that were made by the project.” - Simona

It is estimated that about 1 in 9 families in Tzununa truly is suffering from extreme poverty, often leading to malnourishment, illness, and more. In these cases, it is not uncommon to find 8 people sleeping on a dirt floor, breathing in the smoke of the cooking fire that is in the same room with no chimney. While we recognize the need for long-term systemic solutions, the immediate need for an improvement in living situations cannot be ignored. The project is dedicated to providing families in need with improved houses that use local materials and create clean and safe living environments.

In 2019, Wellkind Guatemala carried out six complete house renovations for the most in need, and eight partial renovations that rebuilt walls, roofs, floors, doors and windows, and kitchens.