Nutrition Workshops

Konojel provides a platform through which organizations and local presenters can empower health, education, and nutrition for women, children, and families.

Our partner, JUSTA, provides a series of “Comida Vida” and “Comida Vida Jr.” workshops to educate the 60 people in our lunch program on healthy eating habits. Our partnership with MAGA brings further hands-on training in nutrition for those involved in the Daily Lunch Program.

Daily Lunch Program

The Konojel Community Center provides a hearty vegetarian lunch every weekday to the most at-risk individuals in San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala. Konojel’s Lunch Program works to strengthen and stabilize the weakest members of an impoverished community.

The food served at Konojel represents a significant improvement in the diet of our recipients, which include children, pregnant and nursing mothers, and elders who are often overlooked at home when food is scarce. The menu includes fresh vegetables, proteins, superfoods, and many other components of a balanced diet.

Computer Center

The Konojel Computer Center program provides free internet access and printing services as well as a computer education program to the indigenous community.

Free computer/internet access provides a way for children to complete school assignments, as well as a place for both adults and kids to access additional information, tools, and resources to expand their educations and
improve their skills.

The computer center is generously hosted at Blind Lemon’s by our good friend and long time supporter, Carlos.

Children’s Enrichment Program

The Konojel Children’s Enrichment Program offers creative educational opportunities that nourish the hearts and minds of the children who benefit from the Konojel Lunch Program. Our dream is for each child to reach his or her full potential as valued individuals and members of the San Marcos and global communities.

For one hour each day, we engage in activities that strengthen academic and social skills while providing a space for kids to be kids. We support children through their elementary school years – tailoring learning opportunities to the developmental needs of individuals.

Nutrition Center & Job Training Program

Konojel Community Center feeds around 60 of the most malnourished members of San Marcos, five days a week. We do this by employing local women, often the mothers of recipients, in our job training program.

Under the watchful eye of Maria, these women, many of whom have never had the experience of working outside of their homes, gain the skills to work in a fast paced, high standards food service environment.

Numerous women have graduated the program and gone on to work in restaurants around town. The hungry are fed. Jobs are created. Skills are developed. Everyone wins!

Women’s Cooperative

Konojel oversees a collective of local indigenous women who run and operate their own micro-business. This micro-business provides a source of income to its members who plan, produce, and distribute their own product line, which includes textile goods and solar baked snacks.

The project is designed to create employment for San Marcos indigenous residents and provide business education and skills to empower these women to continue to grow and find ways to provide for their families.

Their products are available for sale at the Konojel Restaurant (300 meters up the main path from the San Marcos municipal dock, on the left hand side, across the path from Cafe Circles), as well as in other shops around town, or buy online and support their microbusiness that way. Please stop in when you are in town!