Art, theatre
and nutrition

Healthy Being

LOCATION
Chimaltenango, Guatemala

PARTNERS
CARE

INVESTMENT 2015
Total: USD $158,986.38
FEMSA Foundation: USD $149,150.41

START
2015 / Duration: 1 year

Overall Objective:

To promote the adoption of healthy practices with an emphasis on child and adolescent nutrition, in twelve villages in San Martín Jilotepeque and San Juan Comalapa, Chimaltenango, Guatemala.

HARD DATA

5,167

children and teenagers
benefited

participating
education centers

New opportunities

After a rough experience trying to cross the border in hopes of immigrating to the United States, María José, a resident of San Martín Jilotepeque, found a space where she could feel useful and support her community. Together with her sister Sara, María José is part of the first group of teenagers who joined Healthy Being, a nutrition education program that gives healthy messages to children and youths. Healthy Being focuses on the importance of increasing the consumption of safe drinking water, fruits, and vegetables.

Learning about nutrition is fun

María José and the artistic group have already traveled in seven occasions to different communities, replicating the messages on health and nutrition that Healthy Being promotes in schools. Through art, theater, and recreational activities in rural schools, we foster active participation among students, teachers and parents. Using game-based activities and fun messages, we aim to lay the groundwork that result in behavioral changes that guide towards healthier lifestyles. The benefits of nutrition education range from the prevention of illnesses, savings on health expenses, and increases in productivity, to improvements in household finances by optimizing expenditure on food.