Rooted In Hope began operations in Guatemala in 2023. Guatemala, located in Central America, is a country rich in cultural heritage, natural beauty, and historical significance. Bordered by Mexico to the north and west, Belize to the northeast, Honduras to the east, and El Salvador to the southeast, it also has coastlines along the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. 

Views as the Rooted In Hope Volunteer team approach Lake Attilan in the second site visit.

Known as the heartland of the ancient Maya civilization. The country’s landscape is marked by rugged mountains, active volcanoes, lush rainforests, and stunning lakes, including the famous Lake Atitlán. Guatemala’s population is diverse, with a vibrant blend of indigenous Mayan communities and mestizo culture, reflected in its languages, traditional textiles, music, and festivals. Despite ongoing challenges related to poverty and political instability, Guatemala remains a country of resilience, offering a unique window into both ancient history and contemporary indigenous life.

The Rooted In Hope team base camps in Panachajel on the shores of Lake Attitlan, before heading upland to the village of Chipop.

In the small highland village of Chipop, nestled near Panajachel by Lake Atitlán in Guatemala, Indigenous Mayan women face daily challenges tied to poverty, isolation, and limited access to basic resources. Water scarcity is a pressing issue; although Lake Atitlán is nearby, safe drinking water is not guaranteed due to contamination and the lack of infrastructure. Many women and children walk long distances to collect water, which is often unclean and leads to waterborne illnesses that impact the health and well-being of entire families. For these women—many of whom are the primary caregivers and providers—the burden of securing clean water adds immense pressure to already difficult lives. This is where Rooted In Hope has focused its efforts.

Katie Emick, Co Founder of Rooted In Hope inspects one of the Ecofilter water tanks installed and discusses effectiveness and impact of clean drinking water.

Food insecurity is another critical issue affecting the Chipop community. Traditional subsistence farming has become less reliable due to climate change and limited arable land, and store-bought food is often unaffordable or lacking in nutritional value. Malnutrition, especially among children, is a widespread concern. With few resources and limited access to education or employment opportunities, Indigenous women are left with little support to nourish and care for their families. These systemic challenges contribute to a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break without external support. The elimination of USAID has only further exacerbated these problems and eroded critical support, putting even more pressure on non profits to step in and close the support gap.

Katie Emick, Shari Kain, Cathy Rodgers, Victoria Joy (our team lead on the ground) plant a fruit tree with one of the families in Chipop.

Rooted In Hope, a nonprofit organization, is making a transformative impact in Chipop by providing sustainable solutions tailored to the needs of these women and this unique environment. Rooted in Hope is partnering with Worthy Village a non profit founded by Mayra Perez, born in Guatemala, she moved with her family to the United States in 1995. Mayra obtained her citizenship in 2012 and, shortly thereafter, founded Worthy Village to support projects in Guatemala. Rooted in Hope always seeks to partner with local organizations,  with people with local knowledge in order to  inform and guide projects and priorities that are aligned with true local needs, not first world solutions that lack local traction in adoption. 

Katie Emick, Victoria Joy, Cathy Rodgers and Shari Kain meet in front of the Worthy Village, our partner organizations sign, before heading to the nursery to purchase fruit trees for the women on Chipop.

Rooted in Hope has also focused on providing sustainable solutions that are geared to ensuring a helping hand, not a hand out.

Through the distribution of water filters, families can access clean, safe drinking water right in their homes, drastically reducing illness and freeing up time for other essential tasks. Kitchen gardens supported by the organization allow women to grow fresh vegetables year-round, improving household nutrition and fostering food independence. These simple but powerful tools not only enhance the health and security of families but also empower Mayan women with knowledge, dignity, and hope for a more resilient future. Rooted in Hope is working with 25 women in the highlands of Chipop and has provided water filtration systems that have had immediate and significant impact of providing clean drinking water and thus reducing illness and diarrhea, allowing the children to go to school and the women to work. Fruit trees have been introduced into the kitchen garden program providing for better nutrition and, ultimately, surplus fruit that can be sold or traded for other essentials. Lastly, participation in the program has also included a sustainable economic solution we call “chickenomics”, where the women are paid with baby chicks.

Katie Emick plants a pepper tree with a family in Chipop.

Chickenomics in action. Ten chicks were given to each women. These chicks are growing and will soon be egg laying, or some available for sale at four times the purchase price providing a model for sustainable economic development and enhancing food security.

Training in chicken care is provided by a local Veterinarian, the chicks are vaccinated, mash and food, along with chicken wire and supplies are provided to establish safe chicken coops and a  starter package. The women are then able to grow the chicks and use the meat or sell full grown chickens enabling them to afford the purchase of additional chicks. For those chicks that are egg laying, the women are able to gather and use eggs to improve nutrition for their families, sell surplus eggs for additional income. This program has been a great example of sustainable economic development and continues to drive positive tangible impact for these women. We hope this will be a model for other villages as we expand our efforts.

The Rooted In Hope volunteer team in Guatemala.

Working together we can make a meaningful difference that counts. Rooted In Hope is committed to addressing global issues at a local level. Each water filter, each water storage tank, each drip irrigation system, each seed for the garden, each chick takes us in the right direction.