Project Harvest / Proyecto Cosecha

03/23/2026

💧 🌱 Family Vegetable Gardens Program Update!

Starting October 2025 with the generous support from Embassy of Canada to Guatemala / through a Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives grant, Project Harvest is implementing more than 500 family gardens in 16 communities in Guatemala.

The communities are located in the in the departments of Totonicapán, Chiquimula, and Zacapa within the Dry Corridor. This arid region expands across Guatemala's western highlands and eastern lowlands and is defined by extreme factors like reoccurring drought, subsistence crop loss, economic poverty and social injustice, leading to high levels of food insecurity.

The family vegetable gardens program provides materials and training to the most vulnerable families for how to build and maintain diverse vegetable gardens. Successful gardens in turn empower families in generating continued household income and promoting a healthy, nutritious diet for adults and children experiencing food insecurity and malnutrition.

The program’s sustainability is rooted in women's education and leadership development. Project Harvest facilitators provide workshops for women to learn nutritious food preparation for a healthy, organic diet, while discussing processes of organizing as a community to collectively face the growing challenges of climate change.

We are thrilled to share this collection of photos showing the process involved, from planting seedlings to harvesting produce. Follow us for more updates!

03/08/2026

In Guatemala, Indigenous women’s lives are marked by inequality, racism, poverty, and marginalization; yet we have been pillars in the preservation of ancestral knowledge and the local economy. This social environment has shaped significant paths, struggles, and resistance among Indigenous women.

Today more than ever, we need to reach the spaces where decisions are made, locally and nationally. We are convinced that training through the Formation Leadership program not only transforms the lives of women, but also the lives of their families and future generations.

02/22/2026

In February, Project Harvest welcomed the Ambassador of Canada to the communities of Aldea Vásquez and Casa Blanca (Santa María Chiquimula) in Totonicapán, Guatemala. The visit was to learn about the daily realities of Indigenous rural women and their families, and to witness the impact of community-based agricultural initiatives.

The Ambassador spent time with Project Harvest families in the field. Agricultural promoter Olga Tumax demonstrated the preparation of organic fertilizer using locally available ingredients such as cow dung, ash, and lime, as well as a natural insecticide made from garlic and chili — important elements in organic family garden production.🥕

In Casa Blanca, agricultural promoter Elena Rosenda led a session on soil preparation, proper planting techniques, and sustainable practices developed over more than 25 years of technical accompaniment by the Project Harvest team. 🌱

These exchanges created meaningful opportunities for mutual learning and highlighted the deep knowledge and leadership of rural women. The visit reaffirmed the Embassy of Canada’s commitment to supporting women who are central to food security and advancing economic autonomy within their communities!🌽✨

A big thank you to the Canadian Embassy in Guatemala for spending time with us!

Read more about Project Harvest women's empowerment and food security projects at www.projectharvest.org.

01/25/2026

We're excited to see you at our speaker's event tomorrow, January 26th, to celebrate 25 years of Project Harvest community action! Hear engaging stories directly from Guatemala from Project Harvest leaders who are shaping the future for Guatemalan women, girls, and rural indigenous communities. 🙌🌾

This free online event is hosted by Amnesty International Burlington. Registraton not required, all are welcome!💛

Monday, January 26, 2026
7:30-9pm EST
Join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86296859771...

We hope to see you there!

🎉✨Celebrating 25 Years of Project Harvest!

Join us for an online event hosted by Amnesty International Burlington as we reflect on 25 years of solidarity, growth, and impact in Guatemala!

Monday, January 26, 2026
7:30-9pm EST
Join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86296859771?pwd=M3VrMUg1bzZmcDJMcjVyd1EzMlZvZz09

🌱 Paul Lemieux, Project Harvest Founder, will share the historical and political context that shaped the project’s work over the past 25 years.

🌻 Esmeralda Soc Carrillo, Women’s Formation Officer, will speak about how the formation program is empowering women and strengthening communities.

🌽 Paula Velasquez, Agricultural Promoter, will highlight how the family gardens program is improving family nutrition while creating vital economic and social benefits.

Come celebrate the stories and the people that make Project Harvest what it is today and look ahead to the future together!

Registration is not required and the event is free to join.

01/17/2026

🎉✨Celebrating 25 Years of Project Harvest!

Join us for an online event hosted by Amnesty International Burlington as we reflect on 25 years of solidarity, growth, and impact in Guatemala!

Monday, January 26, 2026
7:30-9pm EST
Join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86296859771?pwd=M3VrMUg1bzZmcDJMcjVyd1EzMlZvZz09

🌱 Paul Lemieux, Project Harvest Founder, will share the historical and political context that shaped the project’s work over the past 25 years.

🌻 Esmeralda Soc Carrillo, Women’s Formation Officer, will speak about how the formation program is empowering women and strengthening communities.

🌽 Paula Velasquez, Agricultural Promoter, will highlight how the family gardens program is improving family nutrition while creating vital economic and social benefits.

Come celebrate the stories and the people that make Project Harvest what it is today and look ahead to the future together!

Registration is not required and the event is free to join.

01/02/2026

¡Feliz Año Nuevo! 🎊

Estamos muy orgullosos del trabajo que logramos en 2025.
Juntos, seguiremos catalizando el cambio en Guatemala el próximo año. 🌱

Gracias por su generoso apoyo! 🙌💖

12/13/2025

🌾✨ A Historic Gathering of Project Harvest Women Leaders in Guatemala City

On November 11, with the generous support from women leaders from 11 communities across Jocotán, Camotán, Olopa, La Unión, San Francisco El Alto, Santa María Chiquimula, Momostenango, and Totonicapán came together in a first National meeting at Casa Q’anil in Guatemala City.

Over two days, Project Harvest women community leaders shared stories, strengthened their connections, and reflected on their collective journey for equity and justice for indigenous communities across Guatemala.

🕯 The meeting began with a moving ceremony where each participant honored and welcomed another woman by lighting a candle—symbolizing memory, hope, and leadership.

🌱 The women identified achievements and challenges in climate adaptation, family food gardens, organizational work, and women’s participation in community decision-making.

📚 They learned from leaders like Neydy Jasmine Juracán (CCDA) and activist Sandra Xinico, who spoke about women’s historic resistance, land rights, and the ongoing struggle against racism and patriarchy.

💧 They discussed advocacy for the National Water Law, the need for territorial dialogues, and the importance of positioning women’s demands at the national level —successfully influencing proposals such as rainwater harvesting systems.

🌟 A historic milestone was reached with the election of the first National Women’s Board of Project Harvest!

This gathering marks a new chapter in the political, organizational, and spiritual strength of Indigenous women leaders who continue to defend land, culture, and life for future generations.

12/03/2025

💧 Second Departmental Meeting: “Women Raising Their Voices to Shape a New Water Law”
📍 Chiquimula | 🗓️ November 6, 2025

Empowered women, strong communities. 💪💙

With the support of Embassy of Canada to Guatemala through the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives, this gathering brought together 20 women and youth leaders from Chiquimula and La Unión (Zacapa) from 5 communities in the Department of Chiquimula to strengthen their leadership, organization, and advocacy skills — and analyze the national Water Law proposal.

The assembly focused on understanding current political challenges facing their communities—such as exclusion from social programs, rising prices, political clientelism, and lack of medicines—and discussed how these issues affect women.

Participants reviewed previous advocacy efforts, including meetings with Congressman Raúl Barrera to demand transparency in agriculture programs and ensure follow-up on women’s proposals to the government. They also revisited the community consultations and workshops held earlier in the year on water issues, which contributed to recommendations submitted to the Ministry of Environment (MARN).

Government advisors Lucía García and Julio Donis explained the stages of the Water Law process, highlighting that Guatemala has abundant water but lacks regulation, allowing companies to control usage.

The proposed law includes fines and prohibitions for large users, establishes a Water Superintendency with an advisory council (including Indigenous representation), and is expected to be presented to Congress in January 2026.

Women raised concerns about rainwater harvesting, community rights, and Indigenous representation. The speakers emphasized the need for continued advocacy to ensure congressional approval and proper implementation.

The assembly ended with a call for ongoing organization and political engagement, despite current pressures facing the national government.

12/02/2025

🌾💚 This Giving Tuesday, help us celebrate 25 years of resilience.

For a quarter century, Project Harvest has worked alongside rural communities in Guatemala to strengthen food security, support sustainable agriculture, and create opportunities for families to thrive.

On this global day of generosity, we invite you to support the next 25 years of impact.
Your contribution directly funds in-country projects that provide training, seeds, tools, and long-term food sustainability. 🌱✨

➡️ Donate here: https://www.projectharvest.org/donate-2/
Every dollar helps plant hope for future generations.

Thank you for being part of our community. 💚

11/05/2025

💧 Departmental Meeting: “Participation and Social Movement for the Promotion of the Water Law”
📍 Totonicapán | 🗓️ October 23, 2025
Empowered women, strong communities. 💪💙
With the support of Embassy of Canada to Guatemala through the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives, this gathering brought together 25 women leaders from 5 communities to strengthen their leadership, organization, and advocacy skills — promoting collective participation in the proposed National Water Law.

During the departmental meeting, participants reviewed the proposal of the women leaders of the Quiché and Chortí Women’s Organization. Community representatives shared key recommendations, highlighting the importance of rainwater harvesting — now included in Article 24 of the draft law.

This achievement recognizes the collection of rainwater for domestic and subsistence use as a common right, ensuring access to water for rural families and communities. Project Harvest continues to construct numerous rainwater collection systems in the Dry Corridor as a key part of productive vegetable gardens to strengthen food security. 💦

With the insightful presence of Engineer Mario Godínez, coordinator of the national process for developing the Water Law under the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, participants:
🌱 Deepened their understanding of the proposed law
🤝 Defined strategies for community coordination and advocacy
💧 Reflected on the importance of water as a shared and sacred resource

The meeting space — beautifully decorated with vegetables harvested by the women — set a tone of unity, spirit, and connection to the land. 🌽

Together, participants reaffirmed that caring for water is caring for life. Their continued dialogue, collaboration, and action represent vital steps toward protecting Guatemala’s most precious resource.

10/03/2025

Project Harvest’s Campaign to make known its work in Guatemala has just concluded its summer Westdale Farmer’s Market promotion. The Campaign engaged over 300 people and provided them with information and insight into how Project Harvest is empowering families to grow nutritious vegetables and supporting women to advocate with their government for important public policies to improve their access to clean water and the means to increase their agricultural output.
As part of the Campaign, Project Harvest donated a basket of vegetables to one lucky contestant in a raffle draw. The winner of a basket of vegetables was Rianna, a student from McMaster University, seen here receiving the basket from Paul Lemieux of Project Harvest.
Tracy, of Westdale Village BIA, pulls the winning name.

09/17/2025

🌾✨ 25 YEARS STRONG ✨🌾
We’re celebrating Project Harvest’s 25th Anniversary! 💚

🎬 Film & Discussion: Living on One Dollar a Day
🥣 Homemade soup + sandwiches
🤝 Meet the Board & celebrate milestones

📍 First Unitarian Church, Hamilton
📅 September September 26th
💲 Suggested: $25 (1 for every year!)

RSVP ➡️ [email protected]
| Text (289) 680-4363

Come harvest hope with us 🌍💫