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PUENTE EXPANDS ITS COMPREHENSIVE MODEL TO ALL COMMUNITIES IN SAN JOSÉ POAQUIL TO PREVENT CHILD MALNUTRITION
The inauguration of eight new Nútreme Centers marks a milestone in families’ access to health, nutrition, and early childhood development programs.
Guatemala City, April 30, 2026. In a historic step forward for Guatemalan children, the organization Puente announced the inauguration of the final eight Nútreme Centers in the municipality of San José Poaquil, achieving 100% territorial coverage with its comprehensive model for the prevention of chronic child malnutrition.
This achievement strengthens the impact of the “Acompáñame a Crecer” program, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Education of Guatemala and funded through private resources, as a key initiative supporting families during early childhood (ages 0 to 4), a critical stage in children’s development.
“This achievement demonstrates that public-private partnerships make it possible to implement comprehensive and sustainable models that truly generate results in the prevention of chronic child malnutrition, bringing direct support to families during a crucial stage of child development,” said Edna Lima de Morales, Founder of Puente.
“Acompáñame a Crecer”: A Comprehensive Model Transforming Communities
Puente, a Guatemalan organization founded by a group of women led by Wendy de Berger, works to prevent chronic child malnutrition in the country through a comprehensive approach that supports families from early childhood onward. Through its Nútreme Centers, the organization strengthens community capacities to generate sustainable improvements in children’s health, nutrition, and development.
Puente’s work responds to a complex reality: chronic malnutrition is not simply a lack of food, but rather the result of multiple social, economic, and cultural factors. Through the Nútreme Centers, the program addresses five key components through its comprehensive model: early stimulation, nutrition and child growth monitoring, sanitation and hygiene, family economy, and agricultural activities.
This comprehensive approach creates sustainable change beginning at home by strengthening capacities and promoting better practices that positively impact children’s health, development, and well-being. Full coverage in San José Poaquil represents significant progress toward sustainable impact for children, ensuring that more families receive timely support during the first years of their children’s lives.
This milestone also highlights the value of public-private partnerships as drivers of change. The implementation of the program has been made possible thanks to the support of strategic partners such as Foundation for a Better World (FFBW), MAX Distelsa, Banco Promerica, Grupo AP, Colegio Waldorf, cbc, as well as individual donors and families committed to the country’s development. The opening of the final eight centers was made possible through funds raised during McDía Feliz 2025 by McDonald's, which participated as a donor and contributed to expanding the model’s reach.
“The case of San José Poaquil demonstrates that consistent, coordinated, and community-centered work truly generates real results. Today, Puente positions its model as an effective, sustainable, and replicable solution to combat chronic child malnutrition in Guatemala,” added Erick de León, President of Puente. The program is currently also being implemented in Santa María Cahabón, expanding its impact to other regions of the country.
