Responding to Covid-19
As of August 28, there are 71,856 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Guatemala. The virus is spreading around the country and has reached Chajul—there are 3 confirmed cases here. A tightening of safety measures have been introduced around the region to help slow the spread. This includes a further restriction on travel (no domestic travel) and the continued mandate on wearing masks. These increased restrictions have forced many businesses to close and families are suddenly without an income. Without income, families cannot afford food—please watch our video, “Corn for Chajulense de Mujeres,” to learn more.
The situation in Chajul is rapidly developing, so we will try to provide updates as often as we can.
UPDATE: August 28, 2020
Corn for chajulense de mujeres
We have partnered with Chajulense de Mujeres to buy corn for families in Chajul who are unable to work due to the Covid-19 shutdown in Guatemala. Many families rely on their businesses for income and to provide food for their families. Without these businesses, families are without an income and forced to forage for food in the forest and mountains around Chajul. Learn more.
UPDATE: June 22, 2020
Santa Clara Well Project
A large artesian well has been built in Santa Clara! The community now has more reliable access to water, which is critical as Covid-19 spreads around Guatemala. A huge thank you to everyone who helped support this project. While the well has been built, the community is now looking into repairing the road to the well. This would allow for further ease in accessing water, as currently vehicles are not able to reach the well. As we learn more about this, we will provide updates on this page as well as on our social media platforms.
Update: June 9, 2020
Copichajulense
Trainings have slowed once again for CopiChajulense due to the increased travel restrictions. However, some communities have been able to continue activities as the technicians responsible for the training were deemed essential enough to move between communities. The honey harvest is coming to a close and should finish sometime this week.
Chajulense de mujeres
The women's microcredit group has stopped giving out loans as they cannot travel to the communities to issue them. There have also been no requests for loans as fears of the virus spread around the region. The group is stopping all activities for now and will focus on getting return payments for loans wherever possible.
update: May 20, 2020
Copichajulense
Honey production for CopiChajulense has not slowed, and actually looks to be better than ever. This year they look to produce nearly three containers of honey for sale to Germany and the United States. While beekeeping trainings slowed at first for Copichajulense, due to the travel restrictions, the group has found ways to facilitate the safe travel of its key trainers so that they can continue to put in the hard work to improve their beekeeping practices and honey production.
Chajulense de Mujeres
Chajulense de Mujeres has been significantly more affected by the spread of Covid-19. Many of the women in the group are unable to continue their regular business operations as the items they sell are not considered essential. This has left many women without an income and the means to provide for their families. We are currently working with Chajulense de Mujeres to provide maize (corn) for these families.
Santa clara Well project
We have also begun work on a well construction project with the community of Santa Clara, within the Chjaul region. For the past 25 years, Santa Clara has relied upon a single well for their water. This well is located one-kilometer away from the village and is currently only accessible by hiking path (the road is in disrepair). Clean water is always important, but even more so at this time when hygiene and good health are imperative to survival. Through the well project, The Coffee Trust is providing the Santa Clara community with materials and funds to build three new artesian wells over the coming months.