Food Security and Sovereignty Program

Taking advantage of natural medicines: Health and Hygiene

Natural Medicines

Since its founding, FUNCEDESCRI has assisted communities in the rescue of their traditional and natural medical techniques. Trained health care promoters assist with the health needs of the community and expand the use of medicinal plants and traditional forms of prevention and treatment of common diseases.

Family and Environmental Hygiene

The lack of hygiene is a serious problem which still exists in many of the communities and cause many diseases. The adequate use of water, the treatment of trash, improved houses and the introduction of technologies that favor healthy lifestyles are ways in which we are presently working with the communities to better the health of their individual homes and the environment.

Appropriate Technology for Health and Hygiene

We are always careful to make sure that the tools, machines and practices we promote are appropriate for the resources, needs and customs of the rural farmers that we work with.

Maize-Flour Mills (Molinas de nixtamal)

These mills are an incredible improvement for community and family life. They grind the corn grain into flour that is used in almost every traditional Guatemalan meal –tortillas, tamales and atolls – vastly reducing the amount of time Guatemalan women and girls must spend preparing meals. These mills are controlled by the communities themselves and the communities manage savings funds for their upkeep.

Composting Latrines (LASF)

These latrines are an alternative for rural families. They help guard the environment and offer the families, in a hygienically safe way, the ability to use their own biological waste for fertilizers and herbicides. The latrines use a two-chamber system with a split-plate to separate urine from feces.

Rope Water Pumps (Pozos de lazo)

This is a tool which allows farmers to draw water from a medium depth well with very little effort.

Improved Stoves

These stoves allow families to cook using less wood, helping to both prevent deforestation and to prevent lung and eye problems by keeping the household free of smoke and fumes.

Construction Materials

Landcrete block Utilizing a mix of earth and cement and very simple machinery, these building blocks are manufactured in our rural centers.

Microconcrete roof tiles These roof tiles are manufactured in our centers in an artisanal manner by combining cement and sand. They are used in the construction of roofs that help maintain a fresh and dry environment inside of houses.