More than 3,000 children from 86 communities in Chimaltenango graduated as part of the third cohort of the Quaker Qrece program, an initiative focused on nutritional recovery and promoting positive behavioral changes in childhood.

Over the course of a year, participants received a specialized food product developed by Quaker and fortified Quaker Oats® with Nutremás, which enhances essential daily nutrition recommendations for their development.

Thanks to a training component centered on hygiene, nutrition, and healthy eating habits, families implemented sustainable practices at home. The impact is evident: children who were once quiet and withdrawn now display more active and curious behavior, reflecting improved physical health and advancements in their cognitive and social development.

The program follows a clinical protocol that monitors the weight and height of each participant, working closely with health services to track significant improvements in children previously at risk of malnutrition.

CARE Guatemala, in partnership with Quaker and the PepsiCo Global Foundation, implements a community-focused intervention model actively involving families and communities in the fight against childhood malnutrition. This comprehensive approach strengthens families’ capacity to maximize available resources and ensures sustainable change.

Eradicating childhood malnutrition is a complex challenge, but with initiatives like Quaker Qrece, we continue to move toward a future where every child can grow up healthy, strong, and full of opportunities.

Program Achievements:

• 9 out of 10 children improved their nutritional status.
• 100% of participating families engaged in training processes for social and behavioral change related to nutrition.
• 76% of families adopted a method for water disinfection, resulting from the training sessions.
• 60% of participating families introduced waste management practices.