For 17 years, Desarrollo Sostenible Para Guatemala (DESGUA) has been a bridge between migrants in the U.S. and communities in Guatemala. We were founded in 2008 by migrants in New York and New Jersey who refused to give up on the Guatemalan dream. One of our foundational projects is CAFE RED which for 15 years has been more than a restaurant. It’s a cultural center, a fair-trade pantry, and a living classroom where elders, youth, migrants, artists, and workers share knowledge, food, and strategies for autonomy.

Through DESGUA and CAFE RED we have:

1. Provided scholarships for high-school level (diversificado) studies

2. Trained and graduated two cohorts of Certified Young Chefs

3. Created the Autonomous and Popular University of the Arts (UAPA), where youth at risk of migrating and returned migrants share ancestral, technical, and professional knowledge

Now, in 2025, we’re facing a harsh reality: There’s an intense anti- migrant climate and mass deportations that will only increase. People are being sent back with empty pockets but full of skills, experience, and courage. The goal is simple: we aim to create real, local jobs and dignified alternatives to forced migration

Our new project, LOS CHISPUDOS, is a community work and training center led by migrants and youth. Here, returned migrants will teach what they know best, including:

-Cooking and professional kitchens

-Carpentry and construction

-Cleaning and maintenance

-Childcare

-Gardening and agroecology

-And many other skills migrants have learned through years of hard work

What Your Donation Supports

Your contribution will help us:

-Equip the LOS CHISPUDOS work center (tools, kitchen equipment, materials)

-Fund scholarships and stipends for youth and returned migrants in training

-Strengthen CAFE RED and UAPA as spaces for popular education and cultural resistance

-Cover basic operating costs so we can keep our doors open and our programs running

Join Us in Building the Guatemalan Dream!

We know many people are struggling right now. If you can’t donate, sharing this campaign is also a huge help. If you can donate, please know that your support goes directly toward creating safe, sustainable, and dignified opportunities for Guatemalan youth and returned migrants.

Thank you for standing with us!