Horizons of Friendship

Published purpose

The project aims to contribute to the reduction of maternal and child mortality, and improve maternal, newborn and child health in Guatemala’s predominantly indigenous department of Totonicapán. Project activities include: (1) training traditional indigenous midwives on updated maternal and child health practices; (2) facilitating discussions to promote inter-culturally effective health care and transparency between health authorities and community leadership; (3) conducting learning exchanges among maternal and child health leaders and providers in Guatemala and Canada, and (4) training of traditional midwives and auxiliary nurses in family planning methods and provision of family-planning counseling to both women and men. This project is expected to directly contribute to the improved health of approximately 240,000 people in Totonicapán, including 140,000 indigenous women, 37,000 boys and 39,000 girls. In addition, more than 250,000 people are expected to benefit indirectly from the results of the project. Horizons of Friendship is implementing the project in collaboration with the Asociación para la Promoción, Investigación y Educación en Salud en el Occidente de Guatemala (PIES).