Guatemala: real lives

Eleven-year-old Cesar had never heard of greenhouses, nor had his family. Cesar lives with his Mayan family in the community of San Miguel Chicaj, Guatemala. Like most families in this region, they live in extreme poverty.

In Cesar's community, men work as day laborers on large plantations, especially during the summer. But during other seasons, job opportunities are few and far between. Cesar's family struggles on about $48 a month.

ChildFund Australia's affiliate organisation in Guatemala is helping families like Cesar's find meaningful employment through a greenhouse program. The greenhouses allow families to grow crops that can supplement diets and provide an additional source of income. Twenty families currently participate in the program.

At first, "families were reluctant to participate in the initiative, as they had never seen greenhouses before," said Dr. Francisco Batres, program director. "But the project staff encouraged them and made arrangements with San Carlos University to invite an agronomist to share his expertise."

The agronomist held a two-day workshop for families, training them in greenhouse construction, use, and management; hydroponic gardening and the use of insecticides. Each greenhouse that they build is shared by four families. The families have grown tomatoes, and "are really happy with the outcome," said Batres. "Their harvest of tomatoes is larger, pesticide-free, and of higher quality."

According to the local families, the new tomatoes "are juicier, have a better taste, and are bigger than the ones traditionally grown." In addition, family incomes have increased. The greenhouse helps Cesar's family produce 50 boxes of tomatoes each harvest, which nets them an extra $70. They put the funds toward medicine, food, and clothing.