In the highlands of Sololá, Guatemala, Gabriel serves as vice president of the water committee in Caserío Progreso Xajaxac. He has witnessed significant environmental changes in his community over recent years.
“The number of natural springs and trees in our community has drastically decreased,” Gabriel said. “Construction has displaced nature, and it’s becoming harder and harder to find clean water.”
The region faces ongoing challenges from climate change, including crop loss, landslides blocking access to remote areas, and dwindling water sources. Despite these issues, Gabriel and other Indigenous leaders are using traditional knowledge to guide their efforts in environmental protection.
“We plant native trees along the edges of the springs,” he explained. “We respect the agricultural calendar and our sacred sites. These traditions connect us to the land and teach us how to live in balance with nature.”
Gabriel emphasized that protecting local territory is about ensuring survival for future generations: “It’s about ensuring that water and food will still exist for our children and the generations to come.”
Natun Guatemala has introduced a new five-year strategic plan aimed at supporting Indigenous leaders like Gabriel as they implement sustainable solutions within their communities. The organization works with local groups on forest restoration, water source protection, and passing on environmental stewardship values.
Gabriel hopes for a return to abundant natural resources but recognizes time constraints: “Water is a living being that gives us life,” he stated. “Stop seeing it only as something to consume—it is the heart of Mother Earth. Without it, there is no harvest, no community, no future.”
He also issued an urgent appeal: “Act today, not tomorrow. Climate change is already here. We must recover our ancestral respect for nature—plant native trees, care for our rivers, and manage our waste responsibly.”
Gabriel concluded by highlighting global interconnectedness: “We are one global community. What happens here in Sololá affects the air and climate where you live. Value your territory as we value ours—consume less, respect more, and defend the water before it’s too late.”
As Natun Guatemala moves forward with its new strategy over the next five years, leaders like Gabriel play a central role in shaping efforts to address environmental challenges through community-driven approaches.
Your support helps Indigenous leaders like Gabriel protect water, restore balance, and ensure a thriving future for generations to come.
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