ViviendasLeón is a non-profit organization whose mission is to eliminate rural poverty:


We empower and equip rural communities to be the agents of their own transformation


Our programs are participant-centered and community-driven. They address a complex history of neglect in the region, the effects of climate change and gender inequality. They work towards achieving food security and economic stability. We successfully support farm construction and maintenance, human capacity development, and water improvement efforts in rural communities for over two decades.

I have only appreciation in my heart for ViviendasLeón, because of their consistent presence in the community, giving us technical assistance, and encouraging us to move forward despite the problems that arise. ViviendasLeón is more than an organization, it is part of my family. – Oralia Ramirez

About ViviendasLeón

ViviendasLeon was founded in 2003 to create solutions to the interconnected causes of rural poverty in Central America. Our mission to “empower and equip rural families to be the agents of their own development” has shown time and again that people are willing and capable to work hard and succeed at changing their family’s…
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Women looking to the future: A Cooperative in La Gallina

During the  implementation of our HCT program in 2023, a third of the 20 women in the program had founded a cooperative two years previously.  They named it CoopEMEGA, an acronym for Cooperative of Entrepreneurial Women Managing Alternatives and Solutions. This group produces chili based condiments known as chileros that are popular in homes…
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Yamileth Alonzo joins ViviendasLeón Guatemala

We are thrilled to welcome Yamileth Alonzo Zárate, our most recent addition to the Guatemala staff as the Sustainable Farms Program Director.  Yami is an agronomist with experience in multiple areas of farming including food diversification and nutrition training, agriculture and business technical training, strengthening food security and resilience training, and disaster preparedness in…
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Maybeline Chavajay, our Director in Guatemala

Maybeline Chavajay Cotuc began work with ViviendasLeon in late 2022 as our human training program director. During the following six months she had met with and interviewed more than 30 families and launched our first human training program in the Los Planes and Paxub’ communities of Santa Lucia Utatlan. By July she…
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