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Before & After

Photo: USAID/Guatemala/Wende DuFlon

Before: The Guatemalan village of Chirijuyú, whose residents lived in poverty, lacked adequate housing and even schools for the local children.

Photo: USAID/Guatemala/Wende DuFlon

After: USAID support to increase an agricultural association’s capacity has meant increased income from international buyers, which has given the community funds to rehabilitate houses and provide educational opportunities to children.

José Luis Lux, a vegetable producer in the community of Chirijuyú in Guatemala’s Chimaltenango Department, and his family lived in extreme poverty. That changed in 1993 when his family led the community to establish an association of agricultural producers, Labradores Mayas (“Mayan Workers”), which sold vegetables to middlemen. With USAID support, the association strengthened production, became certified on international food regulation practices, and systematized administrative functions to comply with international buyer requirements. The effort paid off: In 2006, Wal-Mart signed up Labradores to export quality lettuce, carrots, celery and broccoli. Since then, the families of association members are using their increased income to make great strides in improving their homes, health, nutrition and children’s education.

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