Healthy foods, healthy communities

Our partner Taa’Pi’t works with indigenous families in the Lake Atitlán region of Guatemala to reintroduce traditional foods, cooking techniques, and agricultural practices based on Ru Kuuyx qa Way qa Kuyaa, the Mayan expression for directing recognition, acceptance and gratitude to the vital energy that arrives in each home in the form of seeds, vegetables, fruits, and liquids.

Here are the stories of Julia and Manuel, beneficiaries of Taa’ Pi’t projects.

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My name is Manuel Criado. Nowadays, I consider there are many problems because we feed ourselves inadequately. The children only want to eat sweet things and cereals in the morning. When all this began (the habit of eating sweet grains in the morning), people told us it was a matter of modernization. But thanks to these nutrition workshops, we have learned that eating poorly in the morning affects our behavior during the day. Now, I try to prepare the recipes that I learned in the workshops for my children because, as parents, we have an important role in their education and the guidance we provide to them. I thank Taa´ Pi´t, who allows us to educate ourselves on nutrition and learn recipes that benefit our families.

My name is Julia Tay. I like to participate in the nutrition program because they teach us easy recipes to prepare food deliciously. I want to share with you my experience. My mother was diagnosed with cancer years ago. And because of that, she can barely eat anything. One afternoon I prepared her sesame and peanut-based atol that she liked a lot. She had not taken atol for a long time. And this one surprised her because it was not only very delicious but also did not cause her discomfort, as has been her experience with other atoles. Thanks to Taa´ Pi´t we have the opportunity to learn these types of recipes, which would not be possible in our circles.