Why This Work Matters
Nearly half of children under five in Guatemala are affected by chronic malnutrition, and in the most rural communities, rates can reach as high as 90%. Without proper nutrition, children face lifelong consequences, including stunted growth and impaired cognitive development.
Our program focuses on the first 1,000 days of life, a critical window for development, providing:
Nutrition Therapy
Treating malnutrition in children aged 0-5 years
In & Out-patient Care
Family-centered rehabilitation, with inpatient care when critical
Preventative Care
Community-based educational programs for healthy families
Women’s Health
Promoting women’s health through care and education
Education & Community
Supporting families in need
Education is essential to preventing malnutrition and improving long-term health.
Each week, nurses from Hospital de la Familia and students from the HdlF Nursing Assistant School lead community-based nutrition classes for mothers, sharing practical, culturally relevant guidance on:
Every Mother Deserves Care
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies
Access to prenatal care remains limited in rural Guatemala. Nearly 60% of women give birth at home, and 30% do so without a trained medical attendant, placing both mother and baby at greater risk.
We improve outcomes through clinical care and community support:
A Continuum of Care
Every child deserves a healthy start, and it begins before birth
Through integrated medical care, nutrition support, outreach, and education, we are helping children grow, families thrive, and communities build a foundation for lifelong health.
In rural Western Guatemala:
Through medical care, nutrition, outreach, and education, we are building the foundation for lifelong health.
Meet Berta
Her story of malnutrition
Four-month-old Bertita arrived at Hospital de la Familia critically malnourished, weighing just 6 pounds, less than half the normal weight for her age. Born a month early and never seen by a doctor, her chances of survival were slim. Working with the local team, a visiting NICU nurse stabilized Bertita, who spent 8 months in the Nutrition Center receiving free care. Bertita’s feisty, joyful spirit won everyone’s hearts. Now 6 years old and in school, she recently informed us at a check-up that she goes by Berta now — a big girl!
With your support, we can be there for the next child who arrives with slim chances and a fighting spirit, just as we were there for Berta.