In the Guatemalan highlands of Sololá, Gabriel, Vice President of the community water committee in Caserío Progreso Xajaxac, stands at the center of his community’s fight to protect one of life’s most vital resources: water. Over the years, Gabriel has seen the environment around him change dramatically. “The number of …
Recognizing and Promoting Indigenous Rights in Guatemala: A Conversation with Juan Cúmes The rights of Indigenous peoples in Guatemala are central to ensuring justice, equity, and sustainable development in the country. To gain insight into this reality, we spoke with Juan Cúmes, Natün’s Manager of Community Alliances and a COCODE …
At Natün, Indigenous rights are woven through all our programs—they are the foundation guiding every action we take. Through programs deeply rooted in the realities of the Western highlands of Guatemala, we work with Indigenous communities to promote equity, access to essential services, and the strengthening of local leadership. Recently, …
Natün’s experiential learning program offers a unique opportunity to engage deeply with Indigenous Maya communities in Guatemala, fostering cross-cultural partnerships and hands-on learning. We spoke with Lis David, a student of nutrition, dietetics, and public health, about her transformative experience visiting Natün and what she took away from the journey. …
Families worldwide face growing challenges to put food on the table—rising prices, climate change, and loss of traditional knowledge make farming harder. In Guatemala’s highlands, Indigenous communities around Lake Atitlán are especially affected by water scarcity and unpredictable weather. A significant 83.3% of Guatemala’s GDP is concentrated in areas highly …
As many youth face pressures to migrate in search of opportunity, a new generation of Maya leaders around Lake Atitlán is taking a different path—rooted in cultural identity, community, and a future at home. This movement is reshaping education and leadership through programs that foster the skills, confidence, and pride …
Recent shifts in U.S. foreign aid and ongoing market instability have created ripple effects across Central America. For Indigenous communities in Guatemala already facing systemic under-resourcing, these changes mean fewer economic opportunities and rising costs for basic necessities. Families are finding traditional income sources less reliable while prices for essentials …
A Message from Natün Guatemala’s US Board of Directors Dear Friends, Over the past few years, Natün Guatemala has been committed to becoming an organization that partners with communities, joining with them to build on a community’s strengths, together bringing about a systemic and holistic change and growth for many. …
In the rural agrarian community of San Antonio Palopó, a dedicated changemaker is on a mission to uplift youth through education. Mildred, a Maya-Kaqchikel woman and first-generation university graduate, deeply understands her community’s challenges and aspirations. As the Learning Communities Program Coordinator, she is driving a transformative program that puts …
Natün’s Community Health Program prioritizes maternal and infant health in rural Indigenous communities. The voice, ancestral knowledge, and leadership of Comadronas, or Maya midwives, are key to co-creating solutions that transform public health services into welcoming spaces for all. In El Tablón, high in the mountains of Sololá, Comadronas like …
