Health · Equity · Opportunity — Guatemala & Panama
Phalarope works alongside Indigenous and rural communities, local leaders and institutional partners to strengthen health, develop leadership, improve food security and economic opportunity, and build sustainable community and health-system capacity. Our work combines community knowledge, intercultural approaches and technical expertise to develop solutions that can be sustained locally.
Phalarope has been selected as one of 80+ global awardees of Action for Women's Health — recognizing Phalarope's community-led work in maternal health, Indigenous community navigation, women's leadership and sustainable opportunity.
Learn more →Who We Are
Phalarope is a nonprofit organization working with Indigenous and rural communities in Guatemala and Panama. Our work spans maternal and child health; community health and disease prevention; youth leadership and development; agriculture, food security and economic opportunity; and health systems and intercultural capacity building.
Our work brings together Indigenous and community knowledge, public health science and local leadership to co-create solutions that are culturally grounded, evidence-informed and locally sustainable.
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Our Story
In 2019, Phalarope launched Ixchel in Guatemala, funded by Rotary International, working with traditional midwives and community leaders to strengthen maternal and newborn health, prenatal follow-up, early recognition of risk and timely referral. The approach later expanded to Panama through Manchichi, adapting the same community-based model with Indigenous communities in the Ngäbe-Buglé region.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, maternal deaths increased and already fragile health systems faced additional strain. Phalarope continued strengthening trusted community networks and the connection between families and health services.
Today, this approach is evolving into an adaptable Intercultural Community Care Navigation platform. In Camotán, Guatemala, it is being expanded to coordinate community identification, referral, transport and multiple levels of health care; in Panama, the same trusted network is being prepared to support additional public-health priorities, including HIV beginning in 2027.
See the ImpactFrom the Field
“By strengthening the knowledge, tools and connections available to traditional midwives, healers and community leaders, the program supports safer care, earlier recognition of risk and stronger links between families and health services.”
Ixchel · Manchichi — Maternal and Child HealthImpact at Scale
Trusted community networks strengthening health knowledge, access, referral, prevention and continuity of care across Guatemala and Panama.
Cumulative program results through January 2026
Intercultural Health Navigators trained to date: 225 traditional midwives and 18 traditional healers, supported by 9 trainers — strengthening community capacity and contributing to improved maternal-health outcomes.
Our Work
Phalarope works alongside women, men, children, youth, elders, traditional midwives, community leaders, health workers and local institutions. Together, these partnerships connect health, leadership, food security, economic opportunity and stronger community and health-system capacity.
Strengthening prenatal care, early recognition of risk, timely referral and continuity of care through traditional midwives, Intercultural Health Navigators and stronger connections with health services.
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Providing culturally relevant community health education on maternal and child health, vaccines, nutrition, childhood development, diarrheal and respiratory diseases, cervical and breast cancer, HPV and other priority health topics. Beginning in 2027, this work will expand in Panama to include HIV prevention, testing and linkage to care with AHF.
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Supporting children and young people to build self-awareness, confidence, communication, leadership and meaningful participation through Children's Self-Awareness and Leadership and Youth Dialogues.
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Strengthening food security and economic opportunity through hydroponics, regenerative agriculture, financial literacy and entrepreneurship.
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Strengthening health institutions and professionals through intercultural competency, professional development, stronger community and health-system coordination and practical capacity building.
Explore this work →Technical Capabilities
Across all five areas, Phalarope brings expertise in program design, monitoring and evaluation, data systems, intercultural competency, professional training, implementation research and systems strengthening.
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Our Approach
“We combine community and Indigenous knowledge, public health science and local leadership to build solutions that are culturally grounded, evidence-informed and locally sustainable.”
Intercultural humility · Scientific rigor · Community leadershipWhere We Work
Phalarope works alongside Indigenous and rural communities, local governments, health systems and partner organizations in Guatemala and Panama, adapting each program to local priorities, culture and existing systems.
In Guatemala, Phalarope works with traditional midwives, community leaders, health services, schools and agricultural partners across maternal and newborn health, community health education, youth development, agriculture and food security, economic opportunity, and coordinated referral systems.
Highlands · Dry Corridor · Quetzaltenango, Sololá & beyond
In Panama, Phalarope works with Indigenous communities in the Ngäbe-Buglé region through maternal and child health, community health education, care navigation, youth leadership and data-informed community systems. Beginning in 2027, the community-health platform will expand to include HIV prevention, testing and linkage to care in collaboration with AHF.
Comarca Ngäbe-BugléPartners & Collaborators
Phalarope works through partnerships with community organizations, public institutions, technical partners, funders and Rotary clubs to strengthen local systems and extend the reach of community-led solutions.
Partner With Phalarope
Your support helps communities strengthen health, leadership, food security, economic opportunity and sustainable local systems. Together, we can expand community-led solutions that are culturally relevant, practical and built to last.
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