Denomination is lead sponsor for Guatemalan food security program.

Guatemala is the setting of a new interchurch project in which the Church of the Brethren is the lead sponsor. Located in Totonicapan in western Guatemala, the three-year project is aimed at developing food security for 570 Mayan families in 20 rural communities.

Components of the project include diversifying food production, introducing greenhouse and patio garden techniques, training in soil and water management, protecting watersheds and the environment, developing local markets, and strengthening indigenous women's organizations. "Given the small parcels of land and lack of alternatives for compensated work, the Totonicapan project strives not only to introduce sustainable agricultural practices but to strengthen the voice of local peasant groups," said Howard Royer, manager of the General Board's Global Food Crisis Fund.

A coalition formed by Foods Resource Bank and Church World Service has enlisted several Guatemalan partner agencies, principally the Conference of Evangelical Churches of Guatemala and the National Coordination of Widows of Guatemala. The latter is a grassroots movement of indigenous women widowed during the country's internal armed conflict.

Funding for the first-year grant of $103,500 includes $10,000 from the Brethren account in the Foods Resource Bank, from the proceeds of growing projects. Other partners are Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, Evangelical Covenant Church World Relief, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee, United Church of Christ Wider Church Ministries, United Methodist Committee on Relief, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The $51,800 contributed by the churches is matched by a grant from US AID.

The work in Totonicapan is the first Foods Resource Bank program for which the Church of the Brethren is a lead sponsor. Through the Global Food Crisis Fund, the General Board became an implementing member of the Foods Resource Bank in 2004. The board has placed volunteers and advocated for peace and human rights in Guatemala for three decades. For information about the Global Food Crisis Fund see www.brethren.org/genbd/global_mission/gfcf.htm.

Source: 06/08/2005 Newsline
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