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It has become clear that unfortunately, we will have to continue contending with varying levels of COVID-19 risks in the months, if not years, ahead. With the expertise and oversight of our ALDEA and ABPD boards, as well as input from community members, the ABPD staff have found creative ways to implement infrastructure and nutrition projects and provide as much of our training curriculum as possible without sacrificing the safety of staff and community members.
To allow construction of water systems to move forward safely, our partner organization in Guatemala, ABPD, is hiring machinery operators to do work that was previously carried out by large groups of community members working in close proximity. ABPD now requires masons building stoves, latrines, and gray water filters to be vaccinated and to reside in the same community where they are working, and families will not be present while this work is being done in their homes. Families continue to make a financial contribution to ensure their ownership of the water and sanitation projects. Trainings in nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and community empowerment are held outdoors in groups of 10 or fewer participants. Communities have also agreed to provide a volunteer to ensure compliance with our agreements regarding masking, social distancing, disinfecting surfaces, and other precautions. Staff will continue to evaluate risks on a community level, case-by-case basis and modify their work accordingly. We have adopted a policy of no official ALDEA travel to Guatemala and no visitors to ABPD until further notice.