Planting fruit trees for Guatemalan families

Dear friends,

In the Rio Dulce region of eastern Guatemala, chronic malnutrition affects nearly half of all children under five, with indigenous communities facing even higher rates. This persistent issue is compounded by widespread poverty, where over 56% of the population lives below the national poverty line.

Since 2015, we've been working alongside Casa Guatemala to plant fruit trees in schoolyards and family homes. These trees, such as mangoes, breadfruit, guava, citrus, and more, are now producing fresh, nutritious food for hundreds of children and families who previously had limited access to such resources.

Fruit trees offer simple yet powerful solutions, including:

• Fresh Nutrition: Each tree can yield over 150 pounds of fruit annually, providing essential vitamins and minerals that are often lacking in local diets.
• Accessibility: Planted directly in yards and school grounds, trees are easily accessible and require minimal maintenance.
• Household Income: By reducing the need to purchase expensive imported fruits, families can allocate their limited resources to other necessities; excess fruit can also be sold at local markets to boost household incomes.

Despite challenges that have affected this project and our participating communities over the years, like climate impacts and the COVID-19 pandemic, our commitment remains strong. We continue to replant and expand these orchards, ensuring that more children and families benefit each year.

Your support makes this possible. A single tree can support a family's nutrition and well-being. Please consider donating to help us plant more fruit trees and combat malnutrition in Rio Dulce.

Gracias por su apoyo,

The FTPF Team

Sources: ALDEA, The Borgen Project, Casa Guatemala