Guatemala continues to be among the countries with the worst malnutrition in the world. Roughly half of children under 5 years old suffer from stunting caused by diet. Malnutrition is particularly prevalent among the indigenous populations, which have endured five centuries of oppression including a targeted genocide in the 1980s when more than 200,000 people were killed. Many Maya people have been stripped of their connection to traditional diets, which have been replaced with low quality, processed foods.

In response to these issues, we provided 64 children under 5 years old with a 3-week nutritional amaranth program during the COVID crisis. Amaranth is a culturally appropriate, nutritious ancient grain. 

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