GUAMAP CELEBRATES 30 YEARS

June 4, 2025

GUAMAP is celebrating its 30th year anniversary! This year, we met with the assembly of acupuncturists of Peten, our long-time partners, to talk about the collective dreams for GUAMAP’s future and our vision moving forward. 

We learned from our comrades the need to continue acupuncture education for new generations, prepare for the changing climate, and continue supporting marginalized communities who have the least access to the healthcare system. 

Towards this vision, we are developing a new course of acupuncture for the next generation of youth in Petén, Guatemala. This acupuncture program will focus on confronting the challenges of climate change and the continued disparities in access to healthcare in rural areas. Our curriculum will cover treatments for diseases such as dengue that have increased as temperatures rise and weather patterns fluctuate in the region. 

We know that community members who access acupuncture most often are economically marginalized people who have the physical and economic barriers to healthcare. (cite). That is why GUAMAP, alongside the assembly of acupuncturists, are recruiting youth  from these communities to join our training to continue building access to health services for those who need them most. 

Finally in 2024-2025 we will hold an acupuncture business promotion workshop for current acupuncturists to promote their services and build their economic independence. We understand that acupuncture is both a service and an economic tool for community members in the Peten and hope that acupuncturists skills can support both health and economic stability in their communities. 

We invite you to celebrate with us as we reflect on GUAMAP’S journey and we hope you will join us for the road ahead!



Citations: “Guatemala: Dengue.” IFRC, 14 September 14, 2023. https://adore.ifrc.org/Download.aspx?FileId=731391