WHERE WE WORK
WIND works in the municipality of San Juan Cotzal, located in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. This region is populated by indigenous Mayan people who speak the language of Ixil. Geographically isolated high in the mountains, the people live in extreme poverty. This region was the focal point of a bloody civil war (1960-1996) which left over 200,000 people dead. Rich in culture and tradition, the beauty of the region is a stark contrast to the needs of the people who live there.
90% of families live below the poverty line.
70% of indigenous people suffer from chronic malnutrition.
Only 3 out of 10 children graduate from 6th grade.
they have the highest illiteracy rates in all of Latin America.
Families have difficulty accessing medical/dental care and clean drinking water.
Infant mortality rates are high.
ABOUT COTZAL
San Juan Cotzal is located approximately 140 miles from Antigua, a five hour drive through beautiful mountainsides and farming communities. It is part of the El Quiché region and sits at 5,600 feet elevation.
ARTICLES ABOUT COTZAL
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Juan_Cotzal
Learn about the weavers of Cotzal: https://tramatextiles.org/blogs/news/san-juan-cotzal-weaving-in-the-wake-of-war
Dark history of Cotzal: https://sites.sandiego.edu/ipj/2011/04/28/overcoming-a-dark-history-of-conflict-a-guatemala-update/