Bountiful Children's Foundation

Guatemala


Population: 17,915,568 in 2022
GDP per capita (US$): $4,603 in 2020


The burden of malnutrition in Guatemala:

  • Anemia in pregnancy decreased from 27.1% in 2000 to 12.7% in 2019
  • Low birth weight Infants decreased from 12.2% in 2000 to 11% in 2015
  • Under-5 mortality rate per 1,000 live births:
    • Boys decreased from 56.2 in 2000 to 27.1 in 2019
    • Girls decreased from 47.4 in 2000 to 21.8 in 2019
  • Malnutrition in children under 5 years of age:
    • Stunting decreased from 51% in 2000 to 46.7% in 2015
    • Wasting decreased from 3.7% in 2000 to 0.8% in 2015

Source: Global Nutrition Report, 2022


Bountiful Children in Guatemala

  • Bountiful Children began serving in Guatemala in 2008
  • 1089 children and 446 mothers receive help each month as of 2022
  • See additional information below

Guatemala - History and Demographics

Guatemala is located south of Mexico and is bordered by Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. The land boasts steep volcanoes and vast rain forests, and it is known for its ancient Mayan sites. The Mayan civilization flourished in Guatemala and the surrounding countries in Central America for hundreds of years. Guatemala was then a Spanish colony for nearly 300 years until winning its independence in the early 1800’s. Unfortunately, in the 20th century Guatemala experienced many years of internal conflict, including a 36-year guerrilla war, and more than 200,000 people lost their lives. In addition to the vast number of deaths, many were left without homes and hundreds of thousands became refugees.

The climate in Guatemala is tropical with hot and humid lowlands and cooler highlands. In size, Guatemala is slightly smaller than the state of Pennsylvania. The terrain is mostly mountainous with narrow coastal plains and rolling plateaus of limestone. There are numerous volcanoes including the active Pacaya volcano, which has erupted several times in the past decade and often covers Guatemala City in ash. Pacaya is located about 19 miles southwest of Guatemala City near Antigua, which is known for its cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial buildings.


 

Bountiful Children in Guatemala

The largely indigenous areas of Momostenango, Solola, and Quetzaltenango were the last holdouts of the ancient Mayan empire. Unfortunately, poverty is common, with high malnutrition rates. Bountiful serves these areas. In 2008, Guatemala was one of the first countries in which the Foundation established nutritional supplementation programs. The nutrition program in Guatemala has grown from one area in 2008 to now include over 20 areas.

Our Beloved Children in Guatemala Video

by filmmaker Ben King of Oxigeno Film

Cantel

Chulac

Coban

Cuilapa

Escuintla

Huehuetenango

Jalapa

Malacatan

Mazatenango

Momostenango Central

Momostenango Paxajtup

Momostenango West

Montagua

Patzicia

Puerto Barrios

Quetzaltenango

Quiche

Retalhuleu

Rio Blanco

Sacsuha

Salama

San Felipe

San Pedro

Serchil

Solola

Tecun Uman

Totonicapan

Considering A Donation?

All donations go toward identifying mothers and children in need, providing food supplements, health lessons, and other services. All donations are welcomed. Recurring monthly donations support community stability.

  • $8 = nourish 1 child for a month
  • $25 = nourish 3 children for a month
  • $100 = nourish 1 child for a year
  • $500 = nourish an average community for a month
  • $6,000 = nourish a community of your choice for one year

Bountiful's Mission

Our mission is to provide nutritional supplementation to malnourished children and pregnant/nursing mothers as well as to teach health and cognitive development skills to families in the areas we serve.