Chacalte, Guatemala

The community of Chacalte is located up in the mountains of Northern Guatemala. It is approximately 25 minutes away from Tactic, the nearest “major” town.Chacalte is a very poor community made up of approximately 125 families and has only one government-run primary school and the nearest high school is in Tactic. Many of the children do not attend school after completing Grade 6 because the high school is too far away and they have to help support their families by working in the fields.

The population of Chacalte survives on subsistence farming. They grow many types of vegetables on the rolling hills surrounding the community including corn, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, carrots and onions. Since there is very little awareness of nutrition, families sell all the vegetables harvested instead of including them in their diet as well.

The church in Chacalté is called Iglesia De Dios Evangelio Completo and is in the process of building a bigger church building. The 30+ families are currently meeting in a small wooden structure. As funds are raised by its members, the church continues to do construction.