Guatemala
Collaboration
We recognize that we are better together. There are many ministries, churches, and organizations across Guatemala that do what they do well. We desire to come alongside them to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in the communities they serve. We do this by providing essential health education and nutritional support through group activities and classes, home visits with 1:1 care, and support with basic needs like clean water and nutritious food. We desire to empower people with the necessary resources to create a healthier and brighter future for generations to come.
El Tizate
97% use firewood for cooking. As for basic services, 55% are connected to a water distribution network, 61% have access to an electricity network and 14% are connected to a drainage network.
In El Tizate, we partner with Lighthouse Ministry led by Gerardo and Corina Lovato. The Lighthouse Ministry was founded in 2016. They serve underprivileged children through a school tutoring program, helping with homework after school, lunch, and Bible teaching during the school year. The focus is not only on intellectual growth, but also spiritual growth while providing children with a safe, fun, and Christ-centered environment. The calling that Gerardo and Corina embrace is to be a light like a lighthouse in the middle of the sea, showing the students that God is the light that can guide us in the midst of the storms of life.
Holistic Hope comes alongside Lighthouse Ministry by meeting with the families they serve, the majority being single moms, and with single, elderly women in the community who have little support. We provide 1:1 health education, basic tools and resources to help improve overall health (i.e. water filters, food, herbs, dental care), and share the hope and love of Jesus through devotionals, encouragement, and prayer.
La Antigua
In Guatemala, nearly 88 percent of senior citizens do not receive a pension from the Guatemalan Social Security Institute. Pneumonia is the main cause of death among senior citizens, and urinary tract infections and stomach ulcers are also lethal for this population sector. Many of these illnesses can be prevented or their effects can be mitigated. If there were better care and training for the treatment of senior citizens, the statistics would be different.
In La Antigua we partner with Iglesia del Camino. The church is committed to sharing the hope and love of Jesus, training leaders, teaching the Gospel and meeting the physical and spiritual needs of the community.
Holistic Hope comes alongside Iglesia del Camino by helping meet the health needs of the Wiser (65 years+) members of the church and community. Our desire is to offer support and practical tools to people as they age so that they can live full and healthy lives for as long as God has them on this earth. We do this through classes that focus on physical health - exercise, stretching, dancing; emotional/mental health - meditation, deep breathing exercises, gratitude, psychological support; and spiritual health - community, prayer, devotionals, and sharing testimonies.
El Zapote
Guatemala is among the countries with the lowest educational performance in Latin America. Only 73% of adults have completed primary education. Taking into account a maximum of 7 points in the Mathematics and Science tests, Guatemala is ranked 137 out of 144 countries with 2.4 points. In addition to low educational performance, many students drop out of school prematurely.
In El Zapote we partner with Fuente de Esperanza Integral Development Center and Iglesia Galilea. Their work is centered on positively impacting the community through spiritual and social help, focused primarily on teaching ethical and moral values that will make a difference in future generations. They are committed to providing care to children who are in extreme poverty through academic education, nutrition, and spiritual teaching. They also provide instruction on responsible parenthood to the parents of the students.
Holistic Hope comes alongside Fuente de Esperanza Integral and Iglesia Galilea by providing health classes for the women in the community giving them the space to build relationships and support while they learn how to keep their families healthy. We are also developing a medicinal herb program with the students at the school and teaching them how to grow and use these plants for their health. In each program, we share the hope and love of Jesus through devotionals, encouragement, and prayer.
