Indigenous peoples across Latin America and the Caribbean continue to face deep-rooted inequality, violence and exclusion, despite making up a significant share of the population.
Indigenous leadership at the heart of change
Indigenous peoples across Latin America and the Caribbean continue to face deep-rooted inequality, violence and exclusion, despite making up a significant share of the population.
For 80 years, Christian Aid has been fighting poverty and injustice. With your support, we've been able to offer hope to communities who need it most. Help us continue.
In work with Indigenous peoples, it is essential to incorporate women as key actors in processes of change… Women, through their emerging leadership, have headed these struggles for dignity, territorial recovery, and control of natural resources.
In Guatemala
In Guatemala, Christian Aid partner CONGCOOP (Séfora) supports Indigenous women to claim their rights and strengthen their livelihoods, including by holding local authorities to account for public services such as land deeds and health care.
Women like Aurelia and Sofia have benefited from this support. In their highland community, changing weather has made farming less reliable. With training from CONGCOOP, Aurelia has adapted her farming practices and now supports other women, including Sofia, to do the same. Together, they also turn raw cacao into products to sell at market, creating an additional source of income.
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I feel very fortunate to be part of this group. I have felt encouraged by Aurelia who involved me... I am very hopeful.
Lebanon: Finding comfort and joy through connection
With support from Christian Aid partner Najdeh, an 80-year-old chess master known as Mahmood, who fled Syria, has set up a community chess club.
Despite limited resources – just one proper chess set and a paper board – the initiative is already bringing people together across generations.
Fourteen-year-old Muna is now a regular player and has introduced seven friends to the club. In a place shaped by hardship, the chess club offers moments of focus, friendship and joy.
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Read more stories of global impact from the year. Our Year of Impact annual review shares highlights from April 2024 to March 2025.
One mission, many places
These stories span continents, cultures and contexts – but they share a common thread. Whether supporting Indigenous women to defend their rights, families to adapt to climate change, or communities to find connection in crisis, Christian Aid works alongside people as they shape their own futures.
As Moisés reflects:
The most important thing about the work is the possibility of accompanying the poorest communities… and contributing to the transformations they are seeking through their different struggles.
