International Development Grant
Reducing Gaps for Indigenous Peoples of Guatemala
Project Number: CA-3-D002066001
Status: Closed
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $11,440,998.00
Start Date: March 22, 2016
End Date: November 30, 2020
Duration: 4.7 years
Project Description
The project aims to contribute to the reduction of maternal and child mortality and improve maternal newborn and child health in Guatemala’s predominantly indigenous department of Totonicapán. Project activities include: (1) training traditional indigenous midwives on updated maternal and child health practices; (2) facilitating discussions to promote inter-culturally effective health care and transparency between health authorities and community leadership; (3) conducting learning exchanges among maternal and child health leaders and providers in Guatemala and Canada and (4) training of traditional midwives and auxiliary nurses in family planning methods and provision of family-planning counseling to both women and men. This project is expected to directly contribute to the improved health of approximately 240 000 people in Totonicapán including 140 000 indigenous women 37 000 boys and 39 000 girls. In addition more than 250 000 people are expected to benefit indirectly from the results of the project. Horizons of Friendship is implementing the project in collaboration with the Asociación para la Promoción Investigación y Educación en Salud en el Occidente de Guatemala (PIES).
Expected Results
The expected intermediate outcomes for this project include: (1) improved delivery of essential health services to mothers pregnant women newborns and children under five; (2) improved utilisation of essential health services by mothers pregnant women newborns and children under five; and (3) increased understanding and technical cooperation between Canada and Guatemala for improving maternal newborn and child health.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved as of March 2020 include: (1) 11 509 births have been attended by skilled health personnel; (2) 20 889 women have received antenatal care at least four times during pregnancy representing an increase of 37% since the beginning of the project; (3) 34 traditional Indigenous midwives have been trained as trainers in upgraded maternal and child health practices; (4) 904 traditional Indigenous midwives have been trained to deliver ancestral and updated maternal and child health practices; (5) 102 884 women and 4 473 men were reached on favourable maternal newborn and child health practices through 551 focus group discussions an additional 25 292 women were reached through home visits providing personalized counselling in nutrition and maternal care; and (6) 3 989 traditional community leaders have increased their knowledge of maternal newborn and child health. These results are contributing to improved delivery and utilization of essential health services for mothers pregnant women newborns and children under the age of five.
Key Information
Executing Agency:
Horizons of Friendship
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
YFMInternaAssistPartnershp&Programing Br
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Project-type interventions
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Call for Proposals