2021 Fundraiser: Prevention of Chronic Disease in Guatemala

WDF's 2021 fundraiser project will reduce diabetes risk factors in Sololá's indigenous communities by targeting the diet and lifestyle decision-makers: women.

The project will prevent diabetes in Sololá’s indigenous communities by targeting the community’s diet and lifestyle decision-makers: women.

Guatemala’s Sololá region, with its sparkling lake ringed by volcanoes, is exceptionally beautiful. But a hidden danger stalks the Maya people who live there.  

Glucose tests conducted by Hospitalito Atitlán, WDF’s partner in the region, found that 15% of people tested had diabetes and 11% were pre-diabetic. More than 23% of the hospital’s patients are obese, and 43% are overweight.

Many factors contribute to this, according to Lyn Dickey, Hospitalito Atitlán’s Director of Development. Poverty and food insecurity have long challenged the region. Most residents speak only their maternal language - Tz’utujil, Kaqchikel or K’iche’ – and don’t understand the Spanish spoken by government and health authorities. 

“Also, in this culture (as in many others), diabetes and other chronic diseases are largely accepted as the inevitable, ‘unlucky’ results of normal living. People do not accept that they have the power to control certain kinds of health outcomes.” 

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