About this project

Motivated by Christ’s love, we labor on roads and trails less traveled, partnering with the indigenous Mayan Pokomchí people of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. We help them as they endeavor to reach their God-given potential and work towards their vision for an improved life – mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

The Pokomchi face many challenges. The daily reality is one of extreme poverty. The effects of racism and the war have played a tremendous roll in the lack of development. While poverty is a national problem in Guatemala, the poverty rates are the highest among groups like the Pokomchí, which can exceed 90%. Indigenous infant mortality rates are as high as 134 per 1,000 compared to a national average of 80 per 1,000, while 82% of children under five suffer from malnutrition. The government does provide health posts and medical centers in rural areas, but they are constantly lacking needed medicine and staff. Only 19% of indigenous people are literate compared to 50% of the Spanish (Ladino) population. In the area that includes the Pokomchí, school enrollment is just 20% whereas the figure is 65% in the capital of Guatemala City. Education is a way to break the cycle of poverty through making well informed life decisions and obtaining a stable job. There is also a lack of Biblical education and a false Gospel and doctrines are often taught in churches.

We come alongside them in these challenges through establishing and building relationships of love and trust with needy communities. We provide them with ideas and resources through education and appropriate technology. We partner with Pokomchi people of all ages through Gospel outreach (pastors’ training and children’s program with Bible classes), provision of health services, projects to improve health and well-being (water tanks, improved wood cook stoves, improved latrines, and water filters), Christian and health education, empowerment, education scholarships, gender equality, reaching the neediest, and mentoring & equipping. With your support, we can partner with the Pokomchi in these areas. By coming to Guatemala on a missions team you can show Christ’s love to the Pokomchi and receive this love from them. Through building a project for a Pokomchi family, praying with them, or teaching children and youth English, you will impact the Pokomchi and will return to your home country with new perspectives. Short term volunteers can come to assist us with teaching English at our children’s program.

We invite you to join us in serving the Pokomchi through praying, donating, or coming to Guatemala as a short-term volunteer or as part of a missions team. Together we can be a part of the Pokomchi leading healthy and stable Christ centered lives!

To Donate to Rebekah and Sonia: https://donorsee.com/hopeofthepokomchi