Help Stephanie build kitchens in Sibilia
I am a 3rd-year dietetics student at the University of
British Columbia who will be travelling to Sibilia, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
in February to build kitchens and poultry farmhouses, as well as teach English to the elementary school's students. The aim of this project
is to help foster self-sustainable development and combat malnutrition within
the community: the kitchens will be used for classes in Food and Nutrition
Education (e.g. preparing balanced meals) and improvement of hygiene practices
(e.g. hand-washing), while the chicken farms will provide families with food
(eggs and meat) and additional income (from selling excess eggs) to help them
become self-sustainable. This project is aligned with the national priorities
of the Ministries of Health and Education in contribution to the Zero Hunger
Pact.
Half of the chronically malnourished girls and boys in
Central America are in Guatemala. The rate of chronic malnutrition among
children under 5 is 49.8%, the highest in the continent, and one of the highest
in the world. This rate is even higher in indigenous communities, especially in
the Western Highlands where the prevalence is above 90%. Malnutrition not only
affects intellectual development, but also limits productivity and a person's
potential in society.
I have been a volunteer in the nutritional and health
sciences fields for many years, but this is the first time I will be
volunteering internationally. Since international nutrition is a field I am
very interested in exploring, I am very excited about this project! However, as
a full-time student with a part-time job who will be paying for this trip
entirely out of my own pocket, I will need your help to raise $2000 to embark
on this trip and participate in a project that will improve the lives of a
community and give it the resources it needs to ensure the health of its future
generations. Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Stephanie
