Causes: Education, Environment, Food, Forest Conservation, Land Resources Conservation, Secondary & High Schools

Mission: AIR was established in 1992 with the mission of implementing education programs and Sustainable Farming methods with low-income rural families in Central America, in order to reduce hunger and malnutrition for the long-term, while preventing deadly mudslides and protecting the gift of the Earth.

Results: Over 5,000 farm families have received training; 885 custom-built, efficient stoves have been constructed to prevent lung disease and conserve precious wood; and over 6.2 million trees have been planted. In addition, dozens of AIRES tree nurseries have become micro-businesses enabling farmers to add to family incomes while planting even more trees. In 2020, a new project began in los Lipes, Nicaragua to train farmers, plant organic vegetable gardens, and trees-- AIR Nicaragua.

Target demographics: the rural families, and the Earth

Direct beneficiaries per year: Groups in 46 communities & rural schools!

Geographic areas served: Central Guatemala

Programs:

• Tree Nurseries - After twenty-five years, AIR has approximately 300 nurseries in over 130 villages and schools in Guatemala. The population served by these nurseries are the resident families who participate in the agro-forestry training by AIR technicians and who manage the tree nurseries and own the tree seedlings produced. AIR provides all seeds; materials and training. AIR also provides school curriculum, scholarships, and programs in rural schools. Finally, AIR constructs fuel-efficient stoves to protect lung health and cut the use of firewood in half, conserving precious trees!