Giving back as a company. Why is this a key factor in a third world country?
Today, Guatemala has the highest percentage of people in Latin America who live below the poverty line with an outstanding 59.3%, surpassing Haiti that topped the list for many years. Not only that, Guatemala has the fourth highest rate of chronic malnutrition in the world and the highest in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC). Low central government revenues limit capacity for public investment and restrict both the quality and coverage of basic public services, from education and health to access to water, largely explaining the lack of developmental progress and large social gaps, trailing behind the rest of LAC. ("Guatemala Overview: Development news, research, data")
In 2021 Guatemala was supposed to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) presented by the United Nations, but is very far from achieving them. Progress is presented in the performance of the sustainable development goals of six of the priorities defined by Guatemala, with access to health services, the priority with greater progress, followed by employment and investment; institutional strengthening, security and justice; and poverty reduction and social protection. ("Guatemala .:. Sustainable Development
Knowledge Platform") This is just some data to help you understand why this country desperately needs companies that compromise with making a change and help communities, instead of just exploiting natural and human resources. I was able to have a talk with co-founder Andrea M. Schaart about one of Wicho & Charlie´s core values: giving back.
But before I get into more details, let´s quickly review their webpage.
When you enter Wicho & Charlie's web page, you find on the top the phrase "Giving back" and you will automatically notice the transparency of the company right away. Not only do they talk about how they contribute to the environment and the communities around Antigua, but also explain how the company was shaped considering both environmental and human protection. They mention how they donate a percentage of their whole sales every month to communities around Sacatepéquez and other independent organizations such as Santuario Vida Animal. That alone is already fulfilling and I personally felt engaged with their spirit. They also mention how any reviews (good or bad) on Google or TripAdvisor represent an extra US$3 on donations at the end of the month for communities at La Soledad or El Hato.
What felt even more compelling was the part when they explained how much guides were making on one day in the fields in comparison or how much they are able to make now as part of the company. To give you an idea, in Guatemala, the "canasta básica" which includes 34 vital food products, quantifies the suggested grams that cover the energy requirement (2,363 calories) for a household of 5 family members. This costs Q3,218.03 (around US$410.43), whereas the minimum wage for people working on agriculture is Q3,122.55 (around US$398.25), non agricultural Q3,209.24 (around US$ 409.30) and maquilas Q2,954.35 (around $376.80).
Before our conversation, Andrea was making bank transactions for workers in Wicho & Charlie´s, and mentioned how they helped them open accounts when they started their journey with the company. We discussed how important it is to have a credit history and the lack of people who own a bank account in Guatemala for the simple lack of accessibility. I also noticed when I was walking the streets of Antigua the huge lines people have to go through on payday, because of this same reason. Being very responsible and fair with their workers has helped the growth in the community La Soledad, where all the guides are from. It has grown over the last few years and will continue receiving help from Wicho & Charlie´s, especially with a new project they have with the local public school; they´ve already donated desks and chairs for teachers and kids and contributed financially for other necessities.
What I found most admirable about everything, is the investment they make on their workers, facilitating certifications, physical therapy once a month and English conversation courses taught by native English speakers. They know that their workers may have other needs and probably will have other types of work in the future, and these tools help them build a more professional resumé and gain more experience.
So why is this (giving back) a key factor in a third world country? I believe a developing country will always need companies like this one to help build a better future for workers, families and communities. Giving back should be a given when you have the opportunity to help and this operation model should be just an example for future Guatemalan businesses. Taking actions in a community will lead to prosperity, more education, growth, popularity, and good changes within. A great start point is investigating the community, hearing the needs of the people and taking actions based on those needs. A healthy relationship with workers will make a business, but most importantly, a whole community prosper. Being able to hear the guides telling personal stories about their work lives before and after Wicho & Charlie´s and how they see the changes in the community gives you a sense of serenity. What I learned about this company with Andrea is that people (companies) can always say they´re contributing to development, but there are just a few that actually care about what their workers and/or people from communities where they operate have to say and take in count their needs.
You only need good intentions to start being more empathetic and participate in real change. Thank you Wicho & Charlie’s for demonstrating this is possible and leading the way for better Guatemalan-based businesses.
Ximena Garcia
Artivist
