Senahu Maternal and Child Nutrition Project (NARU):

This region has suffered the effects of the international coffee crisis more than any other area in Guatemala.  Consequently, the availability of work and incomes has been greatly reduced and diets consist almost exclusively of corn tortillas.  Malnutrition compounds the constant impact of intestinal parasites and contamination of the sole water source.  Currently there are only two doctors who serve the region whose population is 63,000.

This project has been initiated to relieve the avoidable causes of disease and deaths due to malnutrition.   Incaparina, a food supplement replete with protein, iron, vitamins and minerals, is provided to children at high risk, (post breast feeding to school age), and pregnant women.  Hundreds of cases  of severe infant and child malnutrition exist among the 133 Senahu communities. 

At a cost of  $1.00 per child per week they could have a dramatically increased chance of surviving and maintaining normal growth.  Surrounding villages have requested the service, but, due to limited financial resources are not currently being served.   This is an excellent project for medical clinics to adopt.  (See Physicians for Villagers-below) 

Yvonne Sinclair, a resident of Guatemala, is the founder and director of the project.  World Link's role is linking of resources and assisting in the disbursement of funding. 

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The purpose of this project is to reduce the incidents of malnutrition, chronic health problems, and death in remote villages in the Senahu, Alta Verapaz area of Guatemala. This area of 133 villages are paying an unbearable price for the collapse of the area's coffee industry, virtually their only source of income. 

This is an exceptional project for medical clinics.  The project was founded by the Madison Medical Clinic in Idaho.  The Physicians for Villagers project provides an opportunity to adopt a village, by providing a nutritional supplement (Incaparina) for the most vulnerable population in an entire village. 

How it works:  The medical clinic provides the financial support for the purchase of the Incaparina.  This is done by the clinic donating a small percentage, (suggested $10.00 per procedure, operation or delivery, or $1.00  per patient visit).   All other services (management of the project, and health center medical personnel are donated).  

Daily food supplements (Incaparina) are distributed to pregnant women and children (who are no longer nursing and pre school age).  The local health center monitors individual progress.  We are planning to expand this project, however, requests from the surrounding villages for the service have not been met due to lack of funding. ). 

Yvonne Sinclair, director of the project, is also exploring sustainable agriculture methodologies and the establishment of a water system and health clinic.

World Link Partners collects and disburses the funding, Yvonne Sinclair, in conjunction with the village health clinic, procures and disburses the Incaparina.  

Current costs:$500.00-$600.00/month: For approximately 100 families

90% of the donation goes to the purchase of Incaparina

Women's Literacy Project:  (Adult literacy--Spanish and Kekchi)

This project is with the Kekchi Indian villages in the Polochic area. The rate of illiteracy, particularly among indigenous women, is extremely high (estimates between 80 and 90 percent).  Illiteracy isolates the women from the outside world, which drastically reduces their income capabilities. This part time three year certified program is equivalent to an elementary school education.  

The village provides the school, CHOICE Humanitarian provides the project director, the government (CONALFA) provides the supplies and World Link provides the salaries for the teachers.

Salary per teacher:       $750.00 per year

Detailed information for the Micro Credit project, including women's stories, and the Let's Be Ready early education project are being compiled.