The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation has joined forces with Casa Guatemala to plant fruit trees for vulnerable low-income children and their families along Rio Dulce. Casa Guatemala serves children from families of the surrounding Mayan villages who live in cases of extreme poverty and in areas where chronic malnutrition is among the highest in the world. Help us provide long-term, sustainable nourishment for kids' growing bodies and minds as well as protect this environmentally fragile region!

Challenge

Child malnutrition in Guatemala is a serious issue and rural areas like Rio Dulce are hit especially hard. Guatemala has the 3rd highest rate of stunting caused by chronic malnutrition in the world and over a 3rd of child deaths are caused by undernutrition. There is an over-dependence on packaged, nutrient-poor foods and a steep decline in traditional food growing practices. Rio Dulce is in ever-increasing danger from the effects of climate change including severe erosion and depleted soils.

Long-Term Impact

Fruit trees provide a long-term, inexpensive and sustainable solution to multiple urgent needs in Rio Dulce. As the trees grow to maturity, these communities will be enriched by their food forests with fresh fruit to balance their diets and produce to sell. Mature trees prevent erosion along the fragile riparian areas, increase biodiversity, provide nutritious food and fight climate change. For generations, the vulnerable families served by Casa Guatemala will benefit from these fruit trees.

References

1. http://www.ftpf.org
2. http://ftpf.org
3. https://casa-guatemala.org/
4. https://www.facebook.com/fruittreeplantingfoundation
5. https://www.facebook.com/CasaGuatemalaONG/

Project Gallery