WE FOCUS OUR ORGANIZATIONAL EFFORTS ON AREAS WHERE FEW ARE WILLING TO WORK AND WE HAVE IDENTIFIED A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO TRANSFORMATIONAL AND SUSTAINABLE CHANGE IN THE LIFE OF THE MOST VULNERABLE RURAL COMMUNITIES IN GUATEMALA.
OUR MAIN AREAS OF FOCUS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY
During 2021-2022, we implemented the following projects with the support of FAO:
Diagnosis of the current state of small livestock owned by peasant families in the municipalities of Panzós Alta Verapaz and El Estor Izabal, who were affected by the ETA and IOTA storms in 2020.
Strengthening the technical capacities of promoters and technical team of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) to implement good practices in the livestock sector of families located in Alta Verapaz and Izabal communities.
Development of knowledge, skills and biosafety practices to recover small livestock owned by peasant families in the municipalities of Panzós, Alta Verapaz and El Estor, Izabal that were affected by storms Eta and Iota in 2020.
Impact: 1,000 families from 13 communities were able to recover their agricultural and livestock assets post-disaster.
During 2022-2023, we implement the following project with the support of Brooke Latin America and the Caribbean:
To contribute for the food security of 500 producing families (400 men and 100 women) of artisanal panela, beans and corn, incorporating the well-being of 700 working horses in 20 communities of Chicamán and Uspantán in the department of Quiché.
Impact: 500 producer families from 20 communities improved their food security by improving their productive agricultural practices and the welfare of their working animals.
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT WITH GENDER EQUITY
Between 2022 and 2023, ESAP implemented a project for the economic empowerment of women in the Ixil region to address the structural causes of irregular migration, through the strengthening of value chains in family livestock production (sustainable model and access to markets ) reaching 442 women from Indigenous Peoples in 20 communities of Nebaj, Quiché with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The participants were trained on preventive poultry practices, business formation and social skills.
Impact: As a result, 442 small businesses were formed in 20 communities. 93% of the participants reported individual and group sales for a total of Q 737,623.00; managing to increase their family economic income through the commercialization of poultry products in their communities and local markets.
During 2022, we implement the project: Strengthening food and nutritional security and increasing income, employment and social inclusion of 360 rural families in the municipality of San Gaspar Ixchil, Huehuetenango; through the strengthening of value chains on animal production, under a sustainable model and linked to the market with the support of the organization Global Communities (GC).
Impact: 360 families improved their food and nutritional security and the generation of economic income by increasing animal production rates and the commercialization of animal products in their communities and local markets.
Between 2021 and 2023, in alliance with Global Communities, ESAP established community savings-loan groups promoting the empowerment of women in Quiché. As a result, an increase was seen in the number of women engaged in agriculture; women reported covering basic needs and contributing to household expenses; There was an increase in decisions made as a couple and an improvement in self-confidence and personal care.
Impact: Regarding sources of economic income, women had the opportunity to dedicate themselves to activities such as agriculture and small businesses such as egg production.
Access to financial resources in the groups allowed them to have enough money to cover basic needs for medicine, transportation, housing, education, and for income-generating activities.
With access to credit, women had the opportunity to request a loan from their savings groups, without leaving the community and without presenting other requirements requested by other financial sources, other than complying with the payment responsibility.
The leadership that women acquired as a result of integrating into groups is evident, since they now feel safe to work and relate to other people to achieve changes at a personal, family, group and community level, and they also have more confidence to develop or expand businesses and feel greater confidence and satisfaction with themselves.
Women now recognize that they have greater control over their time and set aside time for personal care and time for participating in savings group meetings.
In decisions about household expenses, it was the husband who made the decisions and in the final evaluation it was established that there has been an increase in decisions made by both and a reduction in decisions made exclusively by the husband.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
During 2023, we began the implementation of a project to Strengthen the business capabilities of entrepreneurs and micro and small entrepreneurs with the support of the international organization Partners Worldwide (PW).
Impact: 20 businesses have been trained and equipped to improve their business practices using the PW organization's global methodology.
COMPREHENSIVE RISK MANAGEMENT
During 2022-2023, we implement projects to strengthen local capacities for the protection of animals during disasters in the communities of Mirador Semau located in the municipality of Panzós in the department of Alta Verapaz and in the Community of San José El Rodeo located in San Vicente Pacaya with the support of The Humane Society International (HSI) organization.
During 2023, we began the process of forming the Local Coordinator for Disaster Risk Reduction (COLRED), incorporating animal protection in the community of Mirador Semau with the technical support of National Coordinator For Disaster Reduction (CONRED according to its initials in Spanish) and the financial support of Humane Society International (HSI).
Impact: 500 families in the two intervened communities improved their preventive risk management practices and animal protection actions. Also, animals were included into their local response plans.
ANIMAL WELFARE
During the period 2015-2023 we implemented the following projects with the support of Brooke UK:
Improvement of the well-being of work animals in the Ixil region of the department of Quiché.
Improvement of the well-being of work animals in the eastern dry corridor and chaining of agricultural productive projects.
Construction of temporary shelters for older livestock in the Fuego volcano.
Compassionate handling for equids.
Impact: 10,000 working animals (horses, donkeys and mules) in 200 rural communities in 7 departments of the country improved their living and working conditions through the adoption of proper handling and husbrandry practices and preventive health treatments by their owners, handlers and users.
Additionally, we have assisted animals affected by disasters through the following emergency responses:
Emergency responses to assist animals affected by storms ETA and IOTA in Alta Verapaz and Zacapa with the support of the Humane Society International (HSI) organization.
Emergency response assist animals affected by the eruption of the Fuego volcano with the support of the Brooke USA organization.
Emergency response assist animals affected by the eruption of the Fuego volcano with the financial support of the World Animal Protection (WAP) organization.
Impact: 50,000 animals were assisted with veterinary care, food and water on site during these emergencies.
Finally, we are implementing a program to strengthen and to enforce animal welfare legislation with the support of the organization Humane Society International (HSI).
The current focus is on the following legislation: 1. The Animal Protection and Welfare Law (Decree 05-2017) and its complementary regulations, and 2. The Response Protocol for the Assistance of Animals in Disaster.
