It is with some sadness that we are letting you know that It is now time to bring to an end the work that Help for the Highlands of Guatemala Society has been doing since 2010. This non-profit has now been legally de-registered and financially wound up.
This society started by offering subsidized home water filters and improved wood stoves. As a result of wider surveying and investigation of the community needs, it progressed to other topics as well. That included women’s empowerment; financial support to keep kids and young adults in schools from grade 7 through technical schools or university; ventilated improved pit latrines; training in self-managed microfinance; contributions to start-up capital for a cooperative entity in the community; training for non-profit management; and equipment to assist the community’s forest protection teams.
A couple of key factors make it seem more feasible to end the project work now. First, the local non-profit partner Asociación Ajpu, is on the road to turning the production and sale of water filters, stoves, and latrines into a business that can generate cash flow for community benefit. Second, the new cooperative entity will focus on financial services such as small loans and savings accounts. We feel that both factors have developed due at least in part to the work that Help for the Highlands of Guatemala Society has done.
There have been friendships developed over the years, and it will sadly mean less personal contact in the future. There will hopefully be occasional opportunities for the Canadians to visit with those from Quiacquix.
This decision was made reluctantly. But the three original founders of the society have all developed reasons to proceed in different directions in their lives and volunteer activities. As is typical for a very small non-profit, it is very difficult to develop a succession plan. Managing the projects and finances was becoming too difficult for the founders. And essentially there never was a consideration that the society would be a long-lived entity. Ten years seems to have been a good run.
We thank all those individuals and Rotary clubs which have contributed funds to this 10-year process. We wish all the residents of Quiacquix and other communities which we have impacted the best possible future, in a social, financial and political sense.
3 thoughts on “HHGS is Formally Dissolved as an Entity”
Congratulations on a run that lasted over 10 years. The Association of Mam Christian Women for Development is profoundly grateful for HHGS connecting it to the Asociacion AJPU. Because of this connection, hundreds of families in the Mam-speaking area of Guatemala have access to clean water through the bio-sand filters; safe, fuel-efficient stoves; and VIP latrines. Without you, the families likely not had access to this life-improving equipment.The Mams would say “Chjonte” to express their thanks and the Americans involved with the Mams say thanks so very much to our Canadian brothers and sisters!
Help for the Highlands of Guatemala - Ayuda para el Altiplano de Guatemala 
Congratulations on a run that lasted over 10 years. The Association of Mam Christian Women for Development is profoundly grateful for HHGS connecting it to the Asociacion AJPU. Because of this connection, hundreds of families in the Mam-speaking area of Guatemala have access to clean water through the bio-sand filters; safe, fuel-efficient stoves; and VIP latrines. Without you, the families likely not had access to this life-improving equipment.The Mams would say “Chjonte” to express their thanks and the Americans involved with the Mams say thanks so very much to our Canadian brothers and sisters!
Thank you so much Cindie, The Association of Mam Christian Women in Guatemala is an inspiration for us all.
Alan
Thanks Bill for all the good work you and the tam have done.