Cultural Diversity – Guatemala

In Guatemala, work with indigenous communities has also been successful in several of the programmes implemented by the Fund. In 2021, the work carried out in the Water and Sanitation Programme With a Basin Approach in the Upper Part of the Cuilco River Sub-Basin (GTM-014-B) stands out. This intervention incorporated the multicultural and gender-sensitive approach, creating a literacy school for indigenous women to participate in the programme, which intervened in 17 communities. In addition to the literacy process for women, the initiative included the selection of bilingual teachers in indigenous languages, and training driven by a gender perspective, cultural relevance and the use of participatory methodologies. Thus, women not only learned to read and write, but also had a place to participate and socialise, which later facilitated their incorporation into assemblies, water committees, etc… All of this was accompanied by a broader process of community awareness-raising.

Guatemala has the largest indigenous population in the region (over 43%) and the Water Fund has developed a number of interventions here that have been enriched by working together with indigenous communities. Among other results, the programmes have generated specific products to promote the cultural adaptation of the projects, such as the “Methodological Guide of the Tzolojya Commonwealth for Facilitators: The Role of the Authorities and Indigenous People for the Integrated and Sustainable Management of Water and Sanitation”. This guide, published in 2012, was the result of a process of dialogue with the protagonists of the programmes (mostly K’íchés and Kaqchikeles of the Tzolojyá people, specifically the municipalities of San José Chacayá, Santa Lucia Utatlán and Sololá), as well as taking into account the knowledge and experience of other people in the region with regard to water management and the rights of indigenous people.