Breaking the Cycle of Malnutrition in Guatemala Through Fair Wages

Undernutrition in Guatemala is one of the most urgent public health crises in Latin America. Nearly 50% of Guatemalan children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition—the highest rate in the region and the 7th highest in the world. In Indigenous and rural communities, the numbers are even more staggering: 58% of Indigenous children are stunted, with some rural villages reporting rates as high as 70%. These children face weakened immune systems, delayed cognitive development, and limited educational outcomes—problems that ripple across generations.

The consequences are devastating. Undernutrition is linked to 45% of deaths among children under age five in Guatemala. Mothers, who are often the backbone of rural households, struggle to secure nutritious food as climate change, natural disasters, and rising food prices deepen poverty. With over 23% of Guatemalans living in extreme poverty and the cost of food rising more than 13% in the past year, many families simply cannot access the diverse, nutrient-rich diets needed for healthy growth.

But there is hope. Fair wage employment offers a direct, sustainable solution to food insecurity and malnutrition. When mothers in rural villages are empowered with dignified, steady jobs—such as weaving , a skill learned through generations—the income transforms family life. A reliable wage allows women to:

• Buy diverse, nutrient-rich foods beyond maize and tortillas
  

• Enroll their children into school

• Invest in sanitation and household stability

Global research highlights that the first 1,000 days of life are critical for a child’s health and future. When mothers have both income and education, they can provide breastfeeding, balanced nutrition, and safer living conditions—all proven to reduce stunting and break the generational cycle of undernutrition.

At Grace & Fire, every fair trade leather bag and hand-woven accessory purchased directly supports this vision. By partnering with Guatemalan women weavers in rural villages, we are not only preserving cultural heritage but also building a path out of hunger. Each bag represents sustainable style, purposeful fashion, and ethical consumerism—tangible ways to rewrite the story for mothers and children in Guatemala.