- 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.
- About 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 - 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 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.
- Our Communities - Learn more about each of the Mayan communities that ALDEA has partnered with to improve their quality of life.
- About Us - ALDEA organizes their work around one overarching objective: to reduce chronic childhood malnutrition in Mayan communities in Guatemala.
- 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.
- Annual Tour - 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.
- Volcano Challenge - ALDEA and Asociación BPD challenge you to help us raise $25,000 to climb 25,000 feet on a volcano to commemorate 25 years since Dr. Behrhorst has passed.
- Summer: Guatemala Celebration – Supporting 50 Families
- 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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Facebook"After nine months of participating in trainings led by ABPD, I felt ready to lead them myself. When I led my first training I felt very nervous, but as time passed it became something that I liked and now I do it with a lot of joy and excitement.
"Becoming a health promotor has allowed me to set a great example to my four year old daughter. She was very shy before and now is more sociable and communicative. My husband has also been a great help to me, since he motivates me to continue being a leader for my group."
- Francisca Gonzales Batz, Xesajcap II, Santa Apolonia
Empowerment is the cornerstone of our approach to grassroots development - it's what makes our two-year programs sustainable over the long term. When a community has a sense of power over its future, they can continue to address their own needs long after our sister organization in Guatemala, ABPD, has moved on to train others. Learn more at aldeaguatemala.org/who-we-are/our-work/our-integrated-approach/empowerment/.
You can now take a "virtual gallery walk" of the 50th anniversary posters we displayed at our June dinner in Guatemala!
Follow the link below for a closer look at highlights from the beginning of our 50-year history to our current programs.
aldeaguatemala.org/get-involved/50th-anniversary-gallery/
50th Anniversary Celebrations | ALDEA | Strengthening Mayan Communities
aldeaguatemala.org
Learn more about our spring, summer, and fall 2017 anniversary events by clicking the buttons above....
ALDEA shared Visionaries Public Television Series's post.
Last taping with the incredible ALDEA!