In Guatemala, thousands of children begin their lives at a disadvantage they did not choose: child malnutrition marks the physical and emotional development of childhood, especially in the country’s most vulnerable communities
By Gabriela Méndez
In 2024 alone, more than 28,700 children under the age of five were diagnosed with acute malnutrition, and 83 lost their lives due to malnutrition in Guatemala, according to data from the National Food and Nutrition Security Information System (Siinsán).
Behind these figures are households in this Central American country where food is not always sufficient, mothers who improvise with what little they have, and children who grow up without the nutrients they need to learn, play, and dream.
An NGO was created in an attempt to protect many children who grow up surrounded by deprivation, violence, and few opportunities. Amor y Bienestar (AMBI) has a comprehensive care model that combines food, health, education, and recreation. Beyond being a support program, AMBI has become a safe place where children can feel seen, heard, and accompanied.
The organization was founded in 2010, but its history began much earlier, stemming from a deeply personal experience that transformed pain into purpose. Ana Murga, founder and director of AMBI, recounts the story.
At the age of 23, Ana had her parents kidnapped, a barbaric crime from which only her mother managed to return alive. The irreparable loss of her father also raised the question: How can a child born into a loving environment become a person who takes another person’s life and, in doing so, also kills all the hopes and dreams of a family?
In her search for answers, Ana entered some of the most stigmatized and violent areas of the country. There, she encountered a reality that repeated itself time and again: boys and girls raised with affection, yet growing up amid poverty, fragmented households, constant pressure to join criminal structures, and a severe lack of opportunities. She came to understand that violence does not arise out of nowhere, but from the absence of choices.
The organization’s name carries a double meaning. It reflects the values that guide its work and, at the same time, serves as a deeply personal tribute to the founder’s father, who was lovingly called Ambi at home.
Amor y Bienestar: a way to accompany
AMBI currently serves between 450 and 500 children each week, ranging in age from 4 to 15. To date, more than 3,500 children have benefited from the program.
“When a child is well nourished, their body grows stronger; with good health, they can play; and through play, they learn and understand the world. That is why the organization brings together nutrition, health, recreation, and education as inseparable pillars of child development,” explains Murga.
The impact of the program goes beyond the children themselves. Through ongoing support, AMBI has observed a reduction in violent behavior, improvements in nutrition, increased access to and retention within the education system, better academic performance, and, above all, a big change in how children and their families imagine their future.
One of the clearest examples of AMBI’s impact is Gabriel*. He joined the organization as a child and grew up in the program, where he found support, training, and a safe space. Over time, he managed to graduate and get his first job, a step that for many young people in his context is unattainable.
However, Gabriel’s connection with AMBI did not end there. He decided to return every Saturday to cook, teach, and accompany the younger children, becoming the role model he himself once needed. With the organization’s support, he resumed his studies and graduated again, this time with a clear decision. To return not as a beneficiary, but as a guide and role model. His story shows that when real opportunities exist, it is possible to break the cycle and build a different future.
*Gabriel (fictitious name, used for security reasons)
How to help?
The NGO’s work is made possible thanks to the commitment of volunteers, sponsors, allies, and people who believe that prevention is the key to a better country. Citizens can get involved by volunteering, sponsoring a child or group, sharing information, or promoting projects in specific communities with their technical support.
Learn more at AMBI’s official website and on their Facebook and Instagram profiles.
