According to the World Food Program the Country of Guatemala has a population of 16.3 million people. Almost half the population cannot afford the cost of a basic food basket. As a result, the prevalence of stunting in children under 5 is one of the highest in the world – and the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean.  At 46.5 percent nationally, the stunting rate climbs up to 70 percent in some departments, with peaks as high as 90 percent in the hardest hit municipalities.

 

While two thirds of the overall population live on less than $2 US per day, poverty affects indigenous people disproportionately: 80 percent of them experience deprivation in multiple aspects of their lives, including food security, nutrition, health and education.

With sustainable solutions in mind, Always On Mission provides families with a two week supply of food, and along with that bag of food, each family receives a fruit tree. The trees distributed vary depending on which would grow best in the climate being served. The premise behind the tree, is that aside from a two week supply of food, they will be able to eat from the tree, barter with their neighbors for a variety of fruit, and sell the excess in the marketplace in order to provide income and an ability to purchase more food for the family.

 

Costs:   Food for family $16.00

               Fruit Tree $4:00