In 1959, a young doctor named Carroll Behrhorst journeyed to Guatemala as a medical missionary. What he saw through his travels was that in rural areas, particularly in indigenous communities, people did not have access to healthcare. Several years later, he formed a clinic in Chimaltenango that eventually would become a non-profit called ALDEA. Behrhorst’s philosophy was simple but visionary – people can and will lead their own development. He firmly believed that Guatemalans had the capacity to solve their own problems – an approach that is still critical to ALDEA’s mission today. The organization works to develop the leadership and problem-solving skills of Guatemalans to address the root causes of poverty and malnutrition. ALDEA focuses on clean water, sanitation, hygiene, food security, and, most important, good nutrition during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. One village at a time, they are changing the landscape of Guatemala, providing a lifetime of lasting benefits for generations to come.
