Guatemala: #2

On Thursday morning after breakfast, we left Antigua for Quetzaltenango. Our first visit there was to a project that was sponsored by the U.S.D.A., through Food For The Poor, to establish 16 tilapia ponds. These ponds were above ground and built of cement — rather than being dug in the ground — and all are fed continuously by a water system that Food For The Poor is installing there. They are divided for the purpose of rotating the fish, and the entire project is capable of producing ten thousand 1—1-1/2 lb tilapia every 4 to 6 months. First, the tiny “fingerlings” (tilapia babies) are put into one pond. As they grow larger, they are divided into the different ponds with greater capacity where they can fit and grow faster.

The tilapia project will benefit 85 families in this village. This has a ripple effect for the entire village. These poor families will get the protein so desperately needed for their diets, as the children are often protein deficient, which is one of the most significant causes of malnourishment. It is also very important to know that these families will not only be fed, but there will be excess fish that can be brought to market, in their own village, at a lower price. These more prosperous families that are selling fish will also become bigger consumers, purchasing more items like school uniforms for their children, etc. Their children will be able to attend school, and they will be able to afford the food that they need for their families. This has a tremendous effect on the entire village, because prosperity begets prosperity, and things begin to work out better for the village as a whole.

Although the unpaved road to get there was somewhat difficult, and we were required to leave the bus at times and walk quite a distance, it was definitely worth it to get there and see these 16 beautiful ponds. It was explained to us how the rotation of the harvest is done, so that these people have a steady income right through the year. I thought to myself… 85 families saved, and, particularly from the point of view of the children, their lives will improve because they will now be able to have an education. Even though at times schooling is free, these people are so poor that they simply cannot afford the uniforms and school supplies necessary for an education. It is uplifting to know that they no longer need to go out into the streets and beg or wipe windshields for money. We are very happy with the progress achieved by this project.