About Us

We are a passionate and diverse team, united by one purpose: to help children, families, and communities thrive.

What brings us together is the belief that quality education, nutritious food, and a strong community of support can build hope and spark lasting, meaningful change, especially in communities facing poverty and exclusion. We believe every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy, safe, and loved, with real opportunities for the future.

Who We Are
Our story began in 2008 in Aldea Chivarabal, a rural Kaqchikel Maya village in the highlands of Guatemala. Originally known as Project Somos, we have grown alongside the community over many years of shared work, learning, and trust. In 2025, the people of Chivarabal gave us a new name: Ütz B’ey Guatemala, which means The Right Path in their language, Kaqchikel. The name reflects not just our mission, but a shared vision to guide children toward the path that leads to dignity, opportunity, and a brighter future.

At Ütz B’ey Guatemala, we equip children and families by creating safe, loving spaces and providing access to education, nutrition, healthcare, and economic opportunity. Together with the communities we serve, we are walking the right path toward a more just and hopeful Guatemala.
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Our Values

Dignity

We believe every child and family has inherent worth. Our work respects and uplifts the voices, rights, and potential of each person we serve.

Community

We walk alongside families and local leaders, building trust and solutions with communities - not for them. Real change is rooted in local ownership and relationships.

Holistic Care

We support the whole child, mind, body, and heart, by addressing interconnected needs through education, health, nutrition, and economic empowerment.

Collaboration

We believe in the power of working together. We listen, learn, and grow through strong partnerships with families, community members, and allies.

Integrity

We work hard to gain trust, and show the value of our work. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and doing what’s right, even when it’s hard.

Empowerment

We believe lasting change happens when people have the tools, opportunities, and confidence to shape their own futures.

Kimberly’s Story

"At Ütz B’ey Guatemala, the staff are with you all the way, they never turn their back on you"

Kimberly lives in a home of eleven with her parents, siblings, and extended family. Her father works in Canada for months at a time, the only legal job available to many men in this region. Life at home is shaped by the limitations of poverty.

She first joined Ütz B’ey Guatemala as a young child, learning to read, create, and dream with us. When she continued her studies to middle school, she quickly gave up after bullying and financial restraints left her no choice - she was never encouraged to continue by her family. Instead, she helped at home, backstrap weaving with her mother and sewing in the family’s sweater business. She earned nothing, but she loved being part of something that connected her to her family.

Kimberly has always loved learning. So in 2024, when she heard about our cook training course, she grabbed the opportunity. Though she wasn’t passionate about cooking, she was passionate about growing. She learned to use professional kitchen tools, cook balanced meals, and even introduced healthier eating habits to her family.

By the end of the course, something had shifted, and Kimberly spoke of her dream to become a nurse. Her quiet determination stayed with us and in 2025, we launched a middle school program for her and two other girls, combining online learning with in-person tutoring in English, Spanish, maths, and technology.

Now in her first year, Kimberly is thriving. She navigates online classes, speaks more confidently, studies Spanish grammar, and is learning English and Quiché, her third and fourth languages. Her confidence grows daily, along with her vision for the future.

If you ever visit us, we invite you to sit with Kimberly and witness the quiet strength that inspires everyone around her. For her, this journey is about more than learning skills, it’s about reclaiming lost confidence, daring to dream beyond limitations, and surrounding herself with people who believe in her. She’s found purpose, hope, and a community that’s helping her rediscover what’s possible.

Kimberly’s journey with Ütz B’ey Guatemala is far from over, but we’ll keep you updated!
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    © 2025 Compassion Fruit Society
    #400-856 Homer Street
    Vancouver BC V6B 2W5
    Canada

    Compassion Fruit Society is a
    Canadian Registered Charity that operates Ütz B'ey Guatemala
    Charity number: 86332 6468 RR0001