We hope you and your loved ones are safe during these uncertain times. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and the situation develops here in Guatemala, we wanted to share with you some updates regarding decisions WJI has made to prioritize the health and safety of our staff and that of the communities we serve.

Late last week, WJI’s Executive Team made the decision to suspend all field activities that would require large groups of individuals to gather in the same space (e.g. women’s and girls’ workshops, Community Advocate training, etc.). This decision was made in consultation with a number of local partner organizations who are leaders in public health.

As of yesterday, due to the fact that there are now several cases in Guatemala and one death, all staff travel is suspended and all staff will work remotely. Our goal is to comply with social isolation recommendations, as we work to prioritize the health and safety of our staff and participants. The Executive Team will evaluate these policies on a daily basis, and will make changes as needed.

As you can see, we are doing everything in our control to protect the communities we serve while still striving to progress towards our 2020 goals. We hope the situation will improve soon, that few people suffer from this global pandemic, and that we can return to our regular activities knowing that we reacted appropriately and made an impact in keeping our community safe.

We are grateful for your continued support in this time of uncertainty, and we wish you health and security.