April 22, 2026

In Guatemala, families are seeing the effects of a changing climate more clearly each year. Rainfall that once came in predictable seasons now arrives in sudden downpours or not at all. Long dry spells leave the soil cracked, while intense rains wash away the nutrients that farmers rely on. These challenges make it increasingly difficult for families to grow steady, reliable food.

For Dora and her husband, Edilson, who is currently unemployed, life has already been full of challenges. The couple has two daughters, ages 15 and 18. Their eldest has lived with ongoing health concerns since childhood, including an undiagnosed condition that causes her to faint unexpectedly. Yet in the midst of uncertainty for the family, something new began to grow.

When Dora joined a project facilitated by World Renew’s local partner Saq B’e, she embraced the opportunity to learn and try new techniques, including composting. “I never made a compost bin before,” Dora shares with a smile. “Getting the materials and doing the initial work was complicated because I didn’t know where to buy the material. It also takes effort to make it, but in the end it’s a very good practice because it produces a lot of compost—and it is better quality.”

Through the project, Dora also learned about a circular garden method, which uses space efficiently, helps retain water, and requires minimal movement to maintain. She laughs as she describes her surprise at the design. “To be honest, I had had a garden before, but it wasn’t round,” she says. “I learned this new technique, and I can only say WOW! It’s different, but it’s very useful because it conserves water and makes it easier to move around to clean and harvest.”

The work hasn’t been hers alone. Although Edilson is still searching for employment, he has been able to support Dora in building and tending the circular garden. The project has given them both a renewed sense of purpose at a time when their daughter’s health and financial pressures could easily overshadow daily life.

“This project came at the right time,” Dora says. “We’ve been harvesting from the garden for family consumption and thank God the harvest has been good! May God bless those who have made this project possible for us.”

For Dora’s family, this garden is more than a source of food—it is a source of joy in the middle of hardship. The simple act of planting seeds has revived their motivation, strengthened their confidence, and renewed their hope in a difficult season.