Healthy Food at Birth and Beyond

The Canada Project works to improve nutrition in Guatemala

Nutrition is a key factor in maternal and newborn health. It can have profound implications for the health of the mother and the outcome of a pregnancy. Also after birth, nutrition is a key element and predictor of growth and healthy development for children under five years of age.

Soloma Municipality, Guatemala

Soloma in Huehuetenango was chosen as a location for key interventions implemented as part of the PAHO and Canada Collaboration Project (IHSLAC). The project is working to address the need for better access to healthcare and nutrition for this largely indigenous population.

Access to health services and information for pregnant women can make the difference in the successful outcome of a pregnancy, as well as the health and ability to thrive for mother and child after the pregnancy is complete.

Through the IHSLAC Project, PAHO and Canada are providing support to work with women (including mothers) to improve their nutritional practices and that of their newborns and children under five years of age.

The pregnancy was fine, the problem was when he was born. - Maria Alejandra Martinez, A New Mother in Soloma

Maria Alejandra Martinez at home in Soloma.

The baby was born healthy, afterwards the baby was sick due to my nutrition. - Maria Alejandra Martinez, A New Mother in Soloma

Weight and height are key indicators of healthy child development.

Hortencia followed her grandmother's steps as a midwife. Thanks to the support provided by the IHSLAC Project, she received training in breastfeeding, warning signs in pregnancy, and nutrition. Hortencia's work focuses on monitoring pregnant women in their communities and promoting good nutrition practices for mothers and children.

Hortencia Lopez Gomez has worked as a midwife her entire adult life and serves as President of Midwives in Soloma.

Hortencia has experience in the use of traditional medicines. This knowledge was passed down by her grandmother and ancestors. Hortencia visits expecting and new mothers and gives advice related to their own nutrition and that of their babies.

"Matrona Hortencia helped me with nutrition for my second baby, and this time I was ready." - Maria Alejandra Martinez, A Mother in Soloma

In the health center we learned and the children played. I learned to prepare food, rice, and vegetables. They liked the food and now I prepare it at home. We encourage neighbors to join and learn for their own families." - Maria Pablo Francisco, A Mother in Soloma

My child Nedy had diarrhea for more than 15 days, he was born with low birth weight and was extremly ill for the first several weeks of life - Maria Pablo Francisco, A Mother in Soloma

María Francisca Pablo's husband, Gonzalo Mateo (age-71), works to split firewood three days a week, earning about $5 a day.

María Francisca Pablo and her family belong to the Mayan Q'anjob´al indigenous group. Children of María Francisca: Mynor Mateo (11 years old), Francisca Mateo (9 years old), Juana Elisa Mateo (7 years old), Gonzalo Mateo (4 years old), and Nedy. The family now prepares meals as they were taught and Maria Pablo Francisco encourages friends to join.

Now my son is healthy and we are happy - Maria Pablo Francisco, A Mother in Soloma

"We saw that with this support Nedy gained weight and height before he did not." - Yesenia Matias Tomas (Nurse who attended to Nedy)

Guatemala

Canada

Latin American Center for Perinatology, Women and Reproductive Health (CLP/WR)

Family, Health Promotion and Life Course

Child Health

Newborn Health

Maternal Health