The Atitlan Fund

Families in Santa Catarina and Cerro De Oro are going through unprecedented challenges due to Covid 19 including loss of income and food insecurity. The Atitlan Fund, Pintando El Cambio and Amigos del Lago, are heavily involved in providing critical support to families in need during these times.

Following many years of scientific research involving members of our board of directors, government institutions, and universities, proven technological solutions have been identified that are part of the sustainable long term measures to deal with wastewater management in the Atitlan Basin accompanied with Government Policy Change.

In October 2017 Amigos del Lago sponsored “Xocomil Científico” a scientific Summit In which 10 scientists 5 from Guatemala and 5 from around world were invited along with all private and public universities of Guatemala, local authorities, central government and private sector. The goal was to discuss and establish and present a consensual technical solution to solidify the international and local scientific community, private sector, and governmental relationships that are needed to conserve Lake Atitlan.

One million trees and 2000 linear meters of "Tul" were planted thus far by students, local governments and other government agencies. Private companies and government agencies coordinated by Amigos del Lago, provide the tecnical know how, permits, sprouts and logistics: fire containment measures and general care and maintenance by hired villagers are performed throughout the year.

A Mandatory course sponsored and implemented by Amigos del Lago since 2016, has reached 184 schools, 17,000 students, 1100 Educators, and 1,400 Parents. These go hand in hand with Reforestation and Watershed Reclamation and Recycling and Solid Waste Management programs, educating the on the value of environmental preservation.

Through women's empowerment projects, in a collective effort between 13 municipalities, private business, and Amigos del Lago, 1,600 women have organized. They have collected 400 tons of plastic, cardboard, glass for recycling that generated Q300,000 Quetzals in income that go back into the community.

Throughout 2019, Amigos del Lago together with local businesses saved 41,000 acres of Lake Atitlán's surface water from cooking oil contamination, 128% of its surface area. We need to continue practical and straightforward actions to save Lake Atitlan. A simple work collecting cooking oil in the Atitlan Basin is critical to keep pollution out of this beautiful lake. Oil is sold to soap making factories. This project is not yet sustainable, and we need to provide more funds with your help to improve reach and logistics!

Painting for Change Pintando el Cambio promotes art for social change, painting houses using traditional designs. This action encourages community engagement while preserving culture and traditions in Santa Catarina Palopo. Pintando el Cambio facilitates community engagement, provides technical support, skilled labor, and supplies to paint houses and public buildings using the communities' traditional designs. This project is transforming its first community of 6800, Santa Catarina Palopó, one of 19 municipalities surrounding the lake.