Mission Guatemala is a United Methodist related organization with a mission to help meet the basic needs and improve the quality of life of under-served Guatemalan people through health, education, and nutrition initiatives and meaningful missionary service. Founded in early 2009 by Tom Heaton, a United Methodist pastor, they located a mission site in the community of San Andrés Semetebaj and began the needed renovations to open a medical office, preschool/nutrition center and dental office. Their services have expanded over the years, staff has grown, and their core mission continues– partnering with local communities and schools to positively impact the areas of health, nutrition, and education in the communities of San Andrés Semetebaj and beyond.
Guatemala has one of the highest rates in the world for chronic childhood malnutrition. Mission Guatemala’s nutritional initiatives have included full-time school nutrition programs, and weekly lunches served in a number of community public elementary schools. Additional projects continue: medical clinic and pharmacy, dental clinic, eye clinic, feeding centers for chronically malnourished children, community development projects, vocational training programs, water filters for schools and families, fuel efficient wood burning stoves.