When Ak` Tenamit was founded in 1992, our villages had no access to basic services such as medical care or education. Today, we provide the area with education, healthcare and community development, while supporting the sustainable use of national park resources.



However, the majority of Q`eqchi` in the region still suffer from malnutrition, and lack basic sanitation, electricity, and running water. People drink from the same contaminated streams in which they bathe and water their livestock. With illiteracy rates of 80% for women and 70% for men, only three primary sources of income exist: slash and burn agriculture, fishing, and timbering tropical hardwoods.



We are empowering our communities by improving access to basic healthcare, education and alternative income sources.



PROGRAMS



Ak` Tenamit approaches poverty from a multidimensional perspective emphasizing development both in terms of economics and with regard to participation and empowerment.



Currently, Ak` Tenamit has programs in Health, Education, Income Generation [Sustainable Agriculture, Vocational Training and Eco-tourism], Environmental Conservation, Community Development, Gender Equity, and Mayan Culture.



Ak` Tenamit uses a system of collaboration and credits, in which men and women from the communities earn credits by providing manual labor or agricultural goods to the project. These credits can later be exchanged for education or health services, assuring the communities` continued interest and ownership of the project.