DOUBLE your impact this holiday season

The holidays are upon us, and with them come the honored traditions of giving and merriment we hold dear. But for many mothers in Guatemala, their biggest wish this holiday season is simply for their children to have enough food to eat.

You see, families who have farmed the land they love for generations with great success now find themselves unable to yield a meaningful harvest.  From severe drought to torrential rain, unpredictable weather is wreaking havoc on families’ food supplies and their ability to earn an income.

YOU can help

Fortunately, we have great news! A group of generous donors who — like you — want to see children have plenty to eat and have bright and healthy futures has agreed to match every gift received DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR up to $64,000! That’s right! Your gift today will be matched to have DOUBLE the impact and help even more children and their families in Guatemala and all over the world.

Families are suffering

Norma, a resident of San Pedro Carchá in the Guatemalan department of Alta Verapaz, lives close to the Polochic River, which often floods — destroying crops and livestock in its wake.

“We lost our crops, such as coffee, cardamom, maize.”

Norma shares.

Most families living in Alta Verapaz have similar stories to share — their crops and livelihoods being washed away by floodwaters, followed by intense droughts that turn the soil into unfarmable dust.

Crops cannot grow in these conditions. In fact, research suggests that yields of maize and beans will likely be reduced in Guatemala by around 14% by 2050, with sugarcane dropping as much as 35%.

Those living close to rivers or on the slopes of the mountains, which are greatly impacted by floods, landslides and mudflows, are most at risk.

Floods ravage homes like this one in Guatemala. Your gifts can DOUBLE to help families rebuild. | ©Plan International

“We lost our harvest because of the floods,”

Carmelina says.

“We were worried about how and where we were going to get money for food.”

Children are starving for nutrients as hunger crisis looms

Irma’s 4-year-old son is not able to develop properly due to lack of food.

“My son is really malnourished,”

a worried Irma shares.

“There have been difficult times with my little boy. About a month ago, he fainted.”

Your compassionate support can double to help ease a worried Irma’s burdens. | Nelson Pacheco, ©Plan International

As the hunger crisis in Guatemala deepens, nearly half of children under the age of 5 are suffering from chronic malnutrition. In rural areas, this number is even higher.

Your generous gift today will be MATCHED to help even more mothers like Irma feed their children and ensure they have a bright, healthy future.

Sharing solutions for a better tomorrow

Irma’s son was on the verge of being sent to the hospital due to lack of nourishment.

But thanks to the support of compassionate people like you, Irma’s wish came true — in the form of a lifesaving cash transfer — empowering her to purchase the nutritious food her son desperately needed. 

“We received 665 Quetzals ($85 USD),”

Irma says.

“Thanks to that, I was able to buy some vegetables and everything we needed. I bought tomatoes, onions, garlic for the food — because with that, we can keep our children healthy.”

Your gifts helped a grateful Carmelina buy vegetables for her children. | Nelson Pacheco, ©Plan International

“I feel happy because I now have a little money to buy some food for the children,”

Carmelina says.

Imagine the children you can help when your gift today — of any amount — is doubled.

DOUBLE the impact … how ’bout them apples?

For Irma’s son, the excitement to finally be able to eat an apple, his favorite food, brought so much joy to both of their hearts.

Irma and her son enjoy his favorite food — apples — thanks to you! | Nelson Pacheco, ©Plan International

 

“My son is getting better. He is recovering,”

a grateful Irma shares.

“I see his joy, and I feel happy too. When he starts going to school, he will be strong, and he will be happy. That support for us is thanks to Plan.”

You can deliver hope, comfort, and joy to mothers like Irma this holiday season with your gift today.

All donations will be DOUBLED up to $64,000, bringing more nourishing food, love and support to families in need this holiday season.

Thank you for your support!