ALDEA | Strengthening Mayan Communities

Home - ALDEA – formerly known as Behrhorst Partners for Development – has been strengthening Mayan communities since 1967.
Who We Are - ALDEA and Asociación BPD are sister organizations working together to address the principal needs of rural Mayan communities in Chimaltenango, Guatemala.
- About Us - ALDEA organizes their work around one overarching objective: to reduce chronic childhood malnutrition in Mayan communities in Guatemala.
  - Our Founder, Dr. Carroll Behrhorst - Behrhorst Partners for Development – now known as ALDEA – began in 1962 when Dr. Carroll Behrhorst founded Behrhorst Clinic and Hospital in Chimaltenango.
  - Board of Directors - Meet the Board of Directors of ALDEA – formerly known as Behrhorst Partners for Development – partnering with indigenous Guatemalans for fifty years.
  - Our Partner Organization in Guatemala, ABPD - Asociación BPD is our partner organization–they are on the ground in Guatemala, carrying out this important work as outlined in our joint Strategic Plan.
- Our History - For fifty years, ALDEA has partnered with indigenous Guatemalans to strengthen communities and enhance the health and well-being of families.
- Our Work - At ALDEA, we organize our work around one overarching objective: to reduce chronic childhood malnutrition in Mayan communities.
  - Our Partner Communities - Learn more about each of the Mayan communities that ALDEA has partnered with to improve their quality of life.
    - Chipatá, Santa Apolonia - Chipatá was founded fifty years ago by 10 Maya Kaqchikel families. Now, the village has grown to 280 families.
    - Chuacacay, Santa Apolonia - “Chuacacay” means “the place of the shelter” in Kaqchikel (“Chua” means “place”; “Cacay” means “shelter,” or “hut.”). The town was named this way because there was a shelter where traders traveling from Quiché to Tecpán spent the night.
    - Chuachun, Santa Apolonia - Chuachun is located three miles from the county seat of Santa Apolonia and 28 miles from the departmental (state) capital of Chimaltenango.
    - El Garabato, Patzún - El Garabato is a small Maya Kaqchikel village nestled in the mountainous highlands of Guatemala.
    - Parajbey, Santa Apolonia - Parajbey is in the municipal district of Santa Apolonia. It is close to other Santa Apolonia villages and also those from other two municipalities: San José Poaquil and Tecpán.
    - Saquiyá, Patzún - About 100 Maya Kaqchikel families live in Saquiyá. Its total population is approximately 525 people, more than half of whom are children and young adults.
    - Xepatán, Patzún - The largest of our partner communities to date, Xepatán is comprised of 380 families. Although no official census exists, the population is estimated at approximately 1,900 people.
  - Our Integrated Approach - ALDEA’s goal is to decrease the rate of chronic childhood malnutrition in children under five in rural, Mayan villages in Chimaltenango, Guatemala.
    - Nutrition Education - ALDEA’s education program focuses on nutrition during pregnancy, exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and introducing foods after six months.
    - Disaster Risk Reduction - ALDEA is working with communities to adapt our processes to new weather realities so that emergency response doesn’t become our modus operandi.
    - Empowerment - ALDEA strives to mobilize the entire community to address health issues – focusing on empowering women and youth to participate in local development.
    - Family Planning - When families can determine the number and spacing of their children, the youngest and most vulnerable in the family have greater access to good nutrition.
    - Food Security - ALDEA is introducing ecologically sustainable agriculture techniques to improve the production of basic grains through the use of sustainable fertilizing.
    - Monitoring and Evaluation - Continuous monitoring and evaluation allows ALDEA to introduce new techniques or reinforcing existing ones that are producing positive results.
    - Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene - ALDEA works with communities to design the most appropriate water and sanitation solution for that community based on an environmental assessment.
Media - Follow ALDEA on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to keep tabs on how we’re helping Mayan communities in Guatemala.
Donate - Learn more about donation options and donate to ALDEA today to help us put an end to childhood malnutrition in Guatemalan villages.
Get Involved - Find out how you can get involved with ALDEA to help improve the quality of life in Mayan communities.
- “Glimpse of Guatemala” Tour – March 16-23, 2019 - ALDEA’s annual Glimpse of Guatemala tour is a 7-night/8-day tour highlighting rural Mayan village partners coupled with the culture of colonial Antigua.
Learn More - Learn more about the work ALDEA does to improve the quality of life among Mayan communities in Guatemala.
- What Is Chronic Childhood Malnutrition? - Chronic childhood malnutrition is a debilitating consequence of poverty – causing cognitive impairments and stunted growth.
- Financial Reports - View ALDEA’s financial reports and audited financial statements from over the years.
- Newsletters - Read all of ALDEA’s past quarterly newsletters to find out what we’ve done to help different Mayan communities in Guatemala.
Contact Us - Contact ALDEA today to find out how you can partner with us to put an end to childhood malnutrition.
Site Map - Behrhorst Partners for Development – now known as ALDEA – began in 1962 when Dr. Carroll Behrhorst founded Behrhorst Clinic and Hospital in Chimaltenango.

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