Our Story, and a New Global Grant
The Western Highlands of Guatemala, stretching down to the lowlands known as “Boca Costa” is home largely to Mam-speaking indigenous Mayan people and displaced communities who have been relocated. There, children and families experience malnutrition, illiteracy, and a lack of access to basic services at rates higher than in most other areas of Guatemala. In 2015, several Rotary Clubs came together to make positive change in the region, and soon, dozens more had joined. The “Guatemala THRIVE” initiative was born.
Since then, Rotarians have come together with local communities to address the root causes of poverty in this high-need rural region. They’ve done it cohesively through a series of Global Grants focused on lasting solutions for healthcare and education. Designed from the outset to be sustainable, all these projects are still going strong! Their impacts have exceeded what we had envisioned, as collectively, they now serve more than 28,000 people in 62 communities!
These efforts have significantly improved health and empowered higher education across the region. And now, as unemployment hovers at 80%, our next challenge is clear: Design a large-scale Community Economic Development effort that gives newly healthy and educated youth and families the choice to thrive, safe at home in their villages.
Based on a thorough community assessment, this new understanding has fueled our newest Global Grants, “THRIVE AT HOME,” approved in mid-2026, and “Skilled for Self-Reliance” in process. We invite you to learn more about these ambitious efforts, which are being fulfilled so far by 3 Clubs across 11 Rotary Districts!
With the private sector taking on an increasing role in international development, there has never been a better time to partner for good.
Sincerely yours,
Marco Herrera, Quetzaltenango Rotary Club
Leslie Baer Dinkel, Huntington Beach Rotary Club
Newest Rotary Global Grants
Focus: Community Economic Development
"Thrive At Home"
Keeping Families Together by Creating Economic Opportunities in Underserved Rural Guatemala
International Sponsor: Villa Park Rotary Club
Cooperating Organization: Local Hope-Xela AID
What Are The Goals of The Grant?
We will create a comprehensive Economic Development Hub: “Centro de Desarollo Economico de San Martín Sacatepéquez” (CDE)
Through public/private partnerships, CDE will (1) Establish successful anchor businesses in a rural region to provide jobs in a rural region, (2) Develop new small businesses, and (3) Provide training that will propel job-seekers and entrepreneurs to success. (4) Improve wages and conditions for farmers to significantly increase retention among this prominent segment of the local workforce.
We will develop living-wage jobs for 500 people and provide affordable health care and support services for them and their families, benefiting 2,500 people in the first three years. At five years, our aim is to have created living-wage employment for 2,000 people and created access to affordable health care for 10,000 in the region.
"Skilled for Self-Reliance"
Train 30 young people in the underserved Rural Highlands and equip them to fill key professional positions currently imported.
Host: Quetzaltenango Rotary Club
International Sponsor: Huntington Beach Rotary Club
Cooperating Organization: Local Hope-Xela AID
What Are The Goals of The Grant?
We will train local youth to provide the following high-demand services to their Mam-Maya community:
We Invite Clubs and Individual Rotarians to Join Us!
Grant Size: $97,000
Club Cash Needed $30,718
Club Cash Raised $10,500 (Total raised with matches $35,520)
Balance Club Cash Needed
$20,218
SCAN TO PLEDGE. NO FUNDS UNTIL APPROVED.