Planting the seeds of a better future in Guatemala

According to the four work components established in the project, the following activities were carried out during the second quarter (August - October 2021):

a.- Organizational Strengthening: The activities were mostly carried out during the first quarter; for the 2nd quarter, 5 group meetings for organizational strengthening that were pending were carried out, these meetings were carried out with organized groups in the municipality of San Antonio.

The monitoring visits planned throughout the project have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic due to the rebound of the disease in the region and the restriction measures imposed by the authorities of the different municipalities, who prohibit people from holding meetings with more than 5 people. Monitoring is done via telephone and from time to time by visiting group managers in the field.

b.- General Training:

-Of three training workshops with group directives planned, during the 2nd quarter two were held, with one workshop pending which is expected to be held during the 3rd quarter.

- During the second quarter, a workshop on Agroecology in the Context of the Coronavirus Pandemic in the Huista region was held with representatives of Board of Directors and Promoters. This workshop was scheduled for the first quarter; the participants were very satisfied and grateful because, in addition to analyzing the effects that the pandemic has had on the economic, political, social and cultural life of their communities, they were able to exchange valuable information on natural medicines that are being used in the different communities to cure the disease.

-In October, a second workshop was held for representatives of boards of directors and promoters on women's rights and legal mechanisms and procedures for their defense; given the increase in organized crime, drug addiction and alcoholism, the most affected sector is that of women, who in most cases do not dare to denounce their perpetrators and remain silent; One of the main causes of this silence, as expressed by the participants themselves, is the lack of knowledge of their rights, of what the laws of the country establish and of the legal mechanisms that must be followed when this type of situation arises; they also spoke of the need to provide this training to their partners, since men often act violently out of ignorance.

a.3.- Technical Training:

Out of thirteen agroecological practices on Management Techniques of the Medicinal Garden and techniques for the elaboration of medicines to be carried out with the different groups, 11 practices were achieved with the participation of only and members of boards of directors and promoters; with 2 groups it was not possible due to the increase of cobid-19; Most of the participants recognize and value the timeliness of these trainings given the relevant role that natural medicine is taking in the region for the treatment of Covid-19; as part of this activity, information was exchanged on how to prepare medicines based on medicinal plants that are produced in the region, such as:  Ginger tea with garlic, purple onion, juice, oregano and Creole lemon peels, cinnamon; baths and eucalyptus leaf infusions, among others.

Another 13 agroecological practices on farm management and poultry care are pending for the next quarter.

a.4. Technical support

Corn and bean crops: During the first quarter, the cultivation of 300 cords of corn and 150 cords of beans was implemented; due to the characteristics of the local native and creole seeds used (breves), the harvest was carried out at the end of August and September; it remains to harvest in places with cold weather where the seed (tardona) is sown, which is called de año; The families that were benefited with seeds and inputs for these crops expressed their satisfaction for having achieved a good harvest, because unlike other years, in 2021 there was no shortage or excess of rain or pests, so they obtained an average of 3 and 4 sacks per string of corn and between 25 to 30 pounds of beans.

Delivery of fruit trees: During the second quarter, fruit trees were delivered to the different groups and beneficiaries; as ADSOSMHU we received a request from several groups that we should not deliver only citrus trees and that if possible we should give them avocado trees, since it is very important for them to diversify their fruit trees; we negotiated with the supplier who agreed to deliver a portion of citrus and another portion of fruit trees.

Due to Covid-19 difficulties, it was not possible to expedite deliveries and this activity was completed at the end of October.

Planting vegetables and medicinal plants: Based on the experience of the groups and communities, it is not advisable to plant vegetables during rainy periods, so this activity is planned, as well as planting medicinal plants during the third and fourth quarters of project execution; the seeds are already available for delivery at the most opportune time.