From Equality to Belonging

Construction Restarts on the New Clinic

On January 12th, 2026, we signed an “Acta” that officially restarts construction on the new clinic at Camanchaj. The new clinic will enhance our medical and dental care to the largely Mayan communities in the Central Highlands of Guatemala and affirms our commitment that began 25 years ago.

Present were:

• Constructora DLF – Sebastián de la Fuente, Owner, and Engineer Christián Santa Cruz, Project Manager
• Salud y Paz – Laura Shearer, Executive Director, Larry Hjalmarson, Board Chair and Engineer Marco Chacón, Project Supervisor

The project will be completed in three phases:

1. The first floor by July 2026
2. The second floor (when funds are available)
3. Equipment and furnishings (when funds are available)

We thank our generous donors like you for providing the essential funds needed to commence construction and for the four volunteer construction teams who will work side-by-side with Constructora DLF to complete the first phase.

Will you join us in laying the foundation for the next 25 years and beyond?

We need both financial contributions and construction teams to help us complete phases 2 and 3. The communities and Salud y Paz need your involvement and prayers.

Thank you! Gracias! Maltiox!

Larry Hjalmarson
Board of Directors

Be Part of a Child’s Story

As we look ahead to the 2026 school year at Colegio Susanna Wesley, we are ready for another year of learning, growth and opportunity. Our students are preparing to continue their educational journeys eager to learn, grow and build brighter futures.

This year, 49 students are enrolled at our school, each with a unique story. Salud y Paz is seeking sponsors who want to be part of these students’ stories.

Starting at $34 per month, you can sponsor one of these amazing students and help provide the gift of education. Sponsorships ensure students receive the holistic support they need to succeed academically and personally, including medical and dental care, nutritious meals, and extracurricular support.

As a sponsor, you’ll receive a photo, a special note or drawing from your sponsored student and information about your student’s journey .

Join Salud y Paz in empowering the next generation through education.

Expanding Access to Care: A Look at Our Growing Patient Numbers and Three Key Strategies

We are thrilled to share that the number of patients accessing our vital health services has significantly increased! This positive trend is a direct result of our focused efforts to raise awareness about our programs and adapt our service delivery model to better meet the community’s needs.

Here are three key strategies driving this growth and ensuring consistent access to care:

1. Strategic Scheduling

We have implemented a critical change by increasing and shifting one of our main clinic days so that it no longer coincides with the local market day.

This strategic change means community members are no longer forced to choose between earning income or purchasing food for their families and seeking essential medical care.

2. Local Media Awareness

We have been actively utilizing local media channels to advertise our clinic and social services, ensuring that our community is fully aware of the resources available to them.

3. Empowering Local Staff for Continuity of Care

To ensure patients always have access to essential health services, even when unforeseen circumstances arise, we are implementing a new protocol:

• We are providing advanced training to our nurses and paramedic personnel.
• This training empowers them to provide access to basic care on any day our physician is unable to arrive at the clinic due to unforeseen circumstances, such as road blocks or severe weather.

This comprehensive approach reflects our commitment to making high-quality healthcare accessible, reliable and consistent for everyone in the community.

Thank you for doing this important work with us!

Promoting Health Through Laboratory Modernization

Thanks to the generous support of Fondo Impacto Comunitario TELUS Digital Guatemala, Salud y Paz has significantly strengthened its ability to diagnose and care for patients through the modernization of our clinic laboratory.

In November 2025, Fondo Impacto Comunitario TELUS Digital Guatemala made it possible to purchase and install a new hematology analyzer—an essential tool that allows our medical team to detect infections, anemia and other conditions more accurately and efficiently. Our laboratory and medical staff received training to ensure proper use and maintenance.

The implementation of the project started in January 2026 and these are the results so far:

• More reliable diagnoses: The new equipment delivers precise results and automatically flags irregular values, supporting faster and more accurate diagnosis.
• Faster care for patients: Improved processing times allow patients to receive results and treatment more efficiently.
• Stronger local capacity: Staff training has strengthened in-house expertise.

Since implementation, the clinic has already completed multiple hematology tests, with testing volume expected to grow steadily as patient demand increases.

This laboratory upgrade represents more than new equipment—it is an investment in quality, dignity and continuity of care for the rural communities we serve. We are deeply grateful to Fondo Impacto Comunitario TELUS Digital Guatemala for making this advancement possible and for partnering with us to improve access to essential healthcare in Guatemala.

From Equality to Belonging

The Salud y Paz staff welcomed 2026 by attending a workshop led by board member Gloria Xinico Morales and Lesbia Morales Sican, an advocate for rural communities in Guatemala. Gloria shares her reflection on our time together:

The workshop From Equality to Belonging invited participants to explore the distinctions between equality, equity, diversity, justice, acceptance, and belonging, while reflecting on how different life experiences shape access, opportunity, and well-being. These conversations were grounded in the historical and present-day challenges faced by Mayan communities and connected directly to the vision and mission of Salud y Paz: supporting thriving Mayan communities with access to integrated health and education.

The day began with a circle of words, inviting each participant to reflect on a simple yet meaningful question: “What do I bring today?” This opening practice created a space of trust and shared presence, acknowledging that while we each arrive with different stories, emotions, and experiences, we are united by a common purpose—to learn, reflect, and grow together.

Creating spaces for this kind of reflection is especially important in Guatemala, a country rich in cultural diversity and shaped by a complex social and historical landscape. For our staff and teachers, understanding these dynamics is essential to the work we do each day. As in any society, recognizing who we are, how we understand ourselves, and how we are perceived by others helps clarify our roles and responsibilities within the communities we serve. This awareness becomes even more meaningful as we work alongside Mayan families, collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, and welcome visitors and partners who engage with Salud y Paz from different cultural and social contexts.

Having had the opportunity to learn and grow in a variety of educational settings, I believe it is important to offer similar opportunities in Guatemala. This workshop was not about introducing new ideas from the outside, but about naming, contextualizing, and deepening the wisdom already within our communities. By creating shared language and space for reflection, we strengthen collective understanding, responsibility, and connection—core values that guide Salud y Paz’s work.

Belonging is not simply about being included; it is a shared foundation for health, dignity, and peace. When we center relationships, respect differences, and commit to shared responsibility, we help create environments where individuals and communities can fully participate and thrive. We are grateful to all who take the time to read, reflect, and engage with Salud y Paz’s work with intention and care. Your willingness to walk alongside the people of Guatemala, listening, learning, and building relationships, helps sustain a model of collaboration rooted in trust, mutual respect, and a long-term commitment to community well-being.

Gloria Xinico Morales
Board of Directors