The Martín-Baró Initiative for Wellbeing and Human Rights (MBI) at Grassroots International is partnering with Buena Semilla to engage with indigenous and other marginalized groups in Guatemala to create psychosocial health services that nurture their health, wellbeing, and self-determination. 

The project, Women’s Circles, has been created by local Maya rural women of Guatemala to promote their wellbeing and empowerment. They creatively adapted their work during the COVID pandemic through using cell phones for sustaining connections among women. Women’s Circles target women who experience psychosocial adversity such as those with low self-esteem, single mothers, and survivors of gender-based violence. Through Women’s Circles, the women build community, learn new skills, strengthen their sense of agency, and find a safe space to express themselves. The funding provided by the MBI will facilitate the grassroots multiplication of Women’s Circles as current circle leaders will mentor apprentice circle leaders creating 17 additional circles that will provide psychosocial support for over 200 local Indigenous women. In the end, over 2,000 family members and their communities will be indirectly impacted by the services provided by Buena Semilla.