World Contraception Day takes place annually to raise awareness of contraception options and support people in making informed choices for their sexual and reproductive health. Access to contraception and other family planning services is essential in women’s decision-making and brings a myriad of benefits.
This World Contraception Day, we were honored to be joined by two of our Global Partners, WINGS and Wuqu’ Kawoq (Maya Health Alliance). Our Guatemalan-based partners work to deliver high-quality reproductive health education and services to rural communities in Guatemala.
Representatives of WINGS and Wuqu’ Kawoq offered insights into their mission and discuss the challenges they face in providing safe, affordable care in rural regions of Guatemala. In addition, they shared testimonials from individuals whose lives have been transformed by the services offered, further highlighting the real-world impact of accessible reproductive health care.
Since 2015, Michelle has overseen all technical aspects of clinical services provided by WINGS. She has been in practice since 2004 and has specialized in OB-GYN services since 2008. Michelle received her medical degree from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala and completed her OB-GYN residency at Hospital Roosevelt de Guatemala. She is committed to providing the highest level of reproductive health care to all her patients and is known for her gentle bedside manner, sharing her motto with staff: We must provide services with quality and warmth, with a steadfast commitment to rights-based healthcare.
Anne Kraemer is an anthropologist and a co-founder of Maya Health Alliance | Wuqu’ Kawoq, an organization created in 2007 to transform health in rural Guatemala. She has served as Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer since 2009. Her passion is building high-impact, collaborative, culturally and linguistically appropriate health and development programs.Response from WINGS:
100% of the team at WINGS speaks Spanish, about 10% speak English, and another 10% speak at least one Mayan language.
Response from Wuqu’ Kawoq:
Most of our community health workers speak Spanish and a Mayan language, and a few speak English as well. We’re offering English language classes as part of leadership training so it’s easier for our leaders to be at the table in more international conversations.
Response from WINGS:
Public libraries are a rare occurrence in Guatemala, and to my knowledge, WINGS does not have a library in our community partner list. We have, however, partnered with community centers and early childhood centers which I think of as the equivalent to libraries.
Response from Wuqu’ Kawoq:
Yes, we have been working in collaboration with Friendship Bridge since 2016. We provide preventative services focused on family planning, cervical cancer screening, and diabetes/hypertension for Friendship Bridge clients as part of the Health for Life program.
Through our Global Partners program, Population Connection supports a growing number of grassroots organizations around the world working to increase access to education, public health and family planning services. Their…
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Through our Global Partners program, Population Connection supports a growing number of grassroots organizations around the world working to increase access to education, public health and family planning services. Their…
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WINGS’ Antigua clinic provides reproductive health services to Guatemala's low-income indigenous communities.
WINGS' Youth Leaders are educated on reproductive rights to empower their fellow peers to seek family planning options.
WINGS’ mobile clinics provide services to Guatemalans in remote areas who wouldn’t otherwise have access to care.
Wuqu’ Kawoq works alongside indigenous communities to identify & provide care for their specific health needs.
Wuqu’ Kawoq program areas include child health, chronic disease, maternal health, & women’s health.
Led by indigenous Maya, Wuqu’ Kawoq provides quality health care to more than 10,000 patients a year.
