In rural Guatemala, Wendy devotes herself to growing crops so that she can afford to provide her children with a quality education.
When people in Guatemala think about the future, many find it hard to see beyond the cycle of poverty that has kept their families trapped for generations. Chronic child malnutrition affects Latin America widely, but the Diocese of Suchitepéquez-Retalhuleu has experienced it more acutely than most. When parents struggle to put nutritious food on the table, it is difficult to dream of anything beyond meeting the needs of the moment.
Thankfully, one solution can help address both problems — feeding families while helping them build a brighter tomorrow. By empowering families to start home gardens, you will strengthen their food security, significantly reduce their dependence on external aid, and give them a potential source of income when there is enough harvest to sell. Farmers will receive seeds, fertilizers and training, including workshops on agricultural techniques, crop management and resource utilization.
Give generously to equip families in Guatemala and around the world with the agricultural resources they need to grow and thrive!
Cross Catholic Outreach’s partners have an incredible passion for supporting the health and well-being of the families in their care. They seek to strengthen their communities both physically and spiritually, meeting immediate needs for food and water, while also supporting families’ long-term growth and stability. Farming for Futures can fuel their efforts to help families start successful home gardens, equipping beneficiaries with seeds, fertilizers, technical support and other aid. This will empower households to grow sustainable sources of nutrition and look to the future with hope.
Partner Since 2019
The Diocese of Suchitepéquez-Retalhuleu is one of our trusted ministry partners, devoted to excellence in its service to the poor. The diocese cares deeply about the sustainability of its projects. Our support helps its team provide urgent relief such as food, water and safe shelter, while also setting families up for greater self-sufficiency through education and agriculture. The diocese’s initiative to help families grow home gardens enables participants to grow a wide variety of crops, empowering families to bolster their nutrition, diversify their diets and establish greater independence.
When Wendy received the gift of land from her mother, she couldn’t have predicted the flourishing crops that would eventually grow there. Though her family relied on agriculture for survival, a lack of resources often made it difficult to get by.
Yet, in answer to prayer and after years of struggle, Wendy’s successful family garden and black bean crop now thrive with support from the Diocese of Suchitepéquez-Retalhuleu’s agriculture program.
Her two sons inspire her impressive work ethic and commitment. She tends her crops faithfully, spending hours in the fields each day. Her eldest especially enjoys spending time with his mom in the fields, pitching in wherever he can.
With the support provided, Wendy has been empowered to feed her family. This blessing has eased the burden on her strained financial resources, and she now hopes to send her children to school.
Building Sustainable Systems:
The Diocese of Suchitepéquez-Retalhuleu has designed its agriculture program to set up farmers for long-term success. In addition to receiving seeds and fertilizers for home gardens, farming families are equipped with irrigation systems for crops, fully stocked with motors, hoses and couplings. This allows them to have successful harvests even during droughts. Poor access to water is often one of the greatest hurdles farmers face. Having a reliable way to circumvent this issue is life changing!
Continuing Education:
Education is a gift. Through the thoughtful generosity of donors, families will receive training in agricultural techniques. By tending their gardens and crops, families can put their knowledge into practice and establish stronger, more capable communities.
You can extend a helping hand to impoverished farming families around the world. Read on to meet more of our invaluable ministry partners.
Guatemala
This project will make a significant difference in the daily lives of 200 farming families. Successful harvests will enhance nutrition and provide a source of income as surplus crops are sold in local markets. The diocese’s agriculture project takes a holistic approach, supporting farmers with practical resources tailored to agriculture and livestock, as well as economic and technical education. Women in particular receive leadership and financial literacy training to enhance their ability to provide for their families.
So far, 278 families have been blessed by this agriculture program. Your support will help the diocese reach even more families in need. Give today to support healthy, sustainable farming in Guatemala!
Guatemala
Bountiful home gardens will provide many benefits to families in this impoverished diocese. Nutritious vegetables, planted and harvested in the community, will be offered to low-income families. Since they can sell any surplus, these families will have a greater likelihood of financial stability. Planting fruit trees will boost the local economy, as families can sell the harvest while reforestation occurs naturally.
A well-planned project like this prioritizes the well-being of families, who will benefit from its success. Their ability to source food and income consistently is a necessity. Help put their minds at ease. Give today and see their farms and gardens flourish!
Zambia
Wracked by floods and droughts, the St. Thomas Mission catchment area has endured incredible trials. In the face of these extreme difficulties, the Daughters of the Redeemer have taken active steps to combat food insecurity. In addition to helping families grow valuable home gardens, the sisters ensure that farmers receive education and training on relevant topics such as local food preservation and climate-smart agricultural practices. This holistic approach honors each participant’s dignity.
Escaping poverty may seem insurmountable, but with prayer and aid, it doesn’t have to be. Uplift families in need by giving today!
The people of Guatemala are blessed by homegrown food.
Contributing to agricultural education blesses people in so many ways. Not only does it meet their immediate and essential needs, but it also empowers them to care for themselves and their families. Equipped with skills, knowledge and resources, poor farmers around the world can find a path forward with your help. Bless them with food and a means to provide by giving today!
Use it for reflections and notes to grow in your spiritual life. You’ll also receive a prayer request form to mail back so that we can pray for your needs. In effect, this creates a spiritual bridge to connect you to our sisters and brothers in Christ in the developing world!
Cross Mission Partners also receive a semiannual Mission Update with news, insights and information about the good work and accomplishments made possible by your support.
Every dollar helps us bless the least of our brothers and sisters throughout Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Mexico & Central America and South America.
Thank You for Your Special Commitment to Serving the Poor!
It’s easy to shop through the Cross Catholic Outreach Project Catalog. Simply browse the categories and choose an item within your budget and close to your heart, such as Anti-Trafficking and Girls’ Rescue or Most Urgent Needs. Select and sponsor one or more of these gifts, and you’ll make a meaningful impact on the life of a needy child or family. It’s that simple!
Absolutely! Once you select your items, you’ll be given the option of sending an e-card or printing a customizable certificate. This is a meaningful way to share Christ’s love with others while also honoring friends and family.
We are a Catholic ministry that partners with bishops, priests, religious and lay workers to provide Food, Water & Health, Housing, Kids & Education, Women & Girls, Disaster Relief, Farming & Loans opportunities and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ to the poor and vulnerable in over 30 countries around the world.
Donations from this campaign will be used to cover any expenditures for this project incurred through June 30, 2027, the close of our ministry’s fiscal year. In the event that more funds are raised than needed to fully fund the project, the excess funds, if any, will be used to meet the most urgent needs of the ministry.
