Lanquín, a small town in northeastern Guatemala, faces multiple socio-environmental challenges that directly impact the health and livelihoods of the local Q'eqchi Mayan community and the land they inhabit.

Deforestation

The expansion of industrial agriculture (monocultures) for commodities, illegal logging, cattle ranching, and the increase in urban areas are all major factors contributing to the deforestation of Lanquín's tropical forests. This environmental degradation is destroying trees that historically provided food, shelter, and income to the local community by creating degraded soils. Our work proposal focuses on proposing diverse productive plots managed according to permaculture principles, in addition to proposing reforestation campaigns in water recharge areas.

Poverty and malnutrition

The destruction of tropical forests, the lack of social assistance from the country's government, and the degradation of ancestral and indigenous food systems have led to extreme poverty in this region, as well as rampant malnutrition due to the lack of access to adequate food sources. The recent prevalence and rising popularity of cheap processed foods also contributes to severe malnutrition and disease.

Environmental pollution

The local landfill has been mismanaged for years, resulting in dangerous levels of pollution that threaten the health of the local population. The area surrounding the landfill has been contaminated with toxic chemicals and waste materials, poisoning not only the air but also groundwater supplies. The population of Lanquín lacks environmental education regarding solid and liquid waste management. Our work proposal focuses on promoting and restoring everyday family practices that contribute to reducing the ecological footprint generated by living in these spaces.

Education

According to 2019 data, only 21.61% of young people had access to secondary education, with a marked gender gap between men and women. The lack of educational opportunities contributes significantly to the high rates of illiteracy, unemployment, and social inequality in this region. The educational system in Guatemala is deficient and precarious, with greater problems in rural areas of the country. Our work focuses on creating educational spaces based on alternative education methodologies relevant for the Q’eqchi community that can radically improve their quality of life.