Building Resilient Futures

By Sandra Ramos, Registrar for Kennett Consolidated School District

One of the most meaningful experiences of our visit to Guatemala was spending time with the Association of Mam Christian Women for Development, a formal partner of New Castle Presbytery. The women warmly welcomed us to their homes in several small villages high in the mountains, where we had the opportunity to learn firsthand how the Association’s development initiatives are building resilient futures.

We began by meeting with Board members of the Association at the local Presbyterian church, where they shared the history of their organization, the challenges they have faced, and the ways they are working together to strengthen their families and communities. Their stories reflected resilience, faith, and a deep commitment to supporting one another.

From there, we took a walking tour to several family homes – all of which had a new fuel-efficient stove that had been made and installed by AJPU, thanks to your generous giving last Advent. The women explained how these stoves have transformed daily life by reducing smoke inside their homes, improving health, lowering firewood consumption, and making cooking safer and more efficient.

We also stopped into one of the Association’s four sewing schools supported by Anne Finch and several churches in North and South Carolina. The students were working hard on their foot-pedal Singer sewing machines, but stopped for a few minutes to share with us more about their work and their dreams. This initiative provides vocational training and income-generating opportunities, empowering young women with practical skills that help support both their families and their futures.

At our final home visit, we learned about sustainable agriculture, food security, and the Association’s reforestation project. These hard-working families are cultivating corn, potatoes, and other vegetables, and raising livestock to improve nutrition, strengthen household economies, and create more sustainable livelihoods. Meeting with these women gave us a deeper appreciation for how these projects address both immediate needs and long-term community resilience.

We concluded the day by visiting Justa, a local chocolate artisan whose work reflects the rich agricultural traditions of the region.

During our visit, a close family friend (also named Justa) shared a moving testimony about the challenges of continuing the family’s chocolate-making business as the older generation ages. She also spoke about preserving another cherished tradition—artisan bread making—which has been passed down through generations. Her story highlighted both the beauty of maintaining cultural heritage and the importance of creating new economic opportunities that allow these traditions to continue.

Throughout our visit, we witnessed how the Association’s work in local communities extends far beyond financial assistance. By investing in women, sustainable agriculture, entrepreneurship, and community leadership, these projects empower individuals to build stronger, healthier, and more resilient futures while preserving the cultural traditions that define their communities.