43 years ago, the United Nations announced that every year on September 21, the world would come together and recognize a common desire and commitment to build a more peaceful world. This day has become known as the International Day of Peace with the International Day of Nonviolence following closely behind, recognized on October 2. Today, with wars being waged in various countries in the Middle East, in Eastern Europe and Israel/ Palestine, peace can seem like a far-off, utopic dream. At the same time, there are MCC-supported grassroots projects being implemented across continents, tying together ancestral knowledge as well as modern-day ways of thinking about the world, climate, and the role of women. In the framework of the International Day of Peace, we want to share some of these stories and how women, specifically in Guatemala, are transforming communities, seeking peace in their cities (cf. Jeremiah 29:7), and standing in solidarity with each other. Sharing these stories reminds us why it is important to renew our commitment to work for peace every day, as well as highlight the fact that peace is cultivated from the ground up. In this 5-part series, we will hear various perspectives on the role of women in society and learn about some of the projects supported by MCC Guatemala.

Mayan Mam Women, Buen Vivir, and the Shalom of God

By Estefanía Martínez, PME Coordinator MCC Guatemala – El Salvador

San Miguel Ixtahuacán, a municipality nestled in the highlands of San Marcos, Guatemala, has long faced challenges tied to its geography and history. High migration rates—especially since the closure of mining operations that ran from 2000 to 2016—are just one of the lasting effects of decades of conflict and division. The communities here have been deeply scarred, with mining leaving lasting damage: dividing families, damaging homes, contaminating vital water sources, and shattering the social fabric that once bound these communities together. Poverty, insecurity, and the erosion of cultural identity have followed in its wake.

In the midst of these challenges, a group of Mam Mayan women are leading the effort to restore a way of life centered around the concept of buen vivir (good living). For the Mayan people, buen vivir is not about material wealth but about having what is needed to live well — caring for nature, nurturing spirituality, and strengthening community bonds. This philosophy promotes harmony with nature and fosters meaningful relationships within the community. The community, in this context, takes on a profound role, offering support and sustenance in times of difficulty and serving as a guiding force that keeps people rooted in their identity.

These women have emerged as key figures in promoting buen vivir, working to rebuild the social fabric, foster peace, and encourage sustainable practices in their communities. With the support of the Pastoral de la Tierra of San Marcos and through initiatives such as agroecology workshops, the use of ancestral medicine, and the defense of policies aligned with buen vivir, they are tirelessly working toward a more just and sustainable future.

One notable figure is Hilda González, elected in 2023 to the Community Development Council (COCODE). Like many women in the region, Hilda had previously faced barriers to participation in community leadership due to a culture of machismo and discrimination. However, through her involvement in the Tb’anl Chwinqlal (buen vivir) group, part of the Reclaiming Buen Vivir project supported by MCC and the Pastoral de la Tierra, she has reclaimed her voice and her rights. Hilda’s participation has helped her improve her self-esteem, overcome her fear of public speaking, and allowed her to become an example to other women, showing them that they, too, can hold leadership roles.

For Hilda, this opportunity represents a way to bring positive change to her community, especially for women, and to continue promoting buen vivir. Her role in the COCODE enables her to advocate for better opportunities for youth, encourage other women to fight for their rights, and strengthen both the Mam Mayan identity and the sense of community.

In the Mayan worldview, the earth is seen as a mother, and diversity is viewed not as a source of division but as something that integrates and complements. This worldview embraces both equality and difference, recognizing that while people may be distinct, they share the same fundamental rights and duties as human beings. Harmony and balance are essential to life and development.

The women peacebuilders promoting buen vivir practice this worldview by creating inclusive spaces within their communities where differences are respected, and harmony and balance are seen as foundational to life. A powerful example of this is the involvement of Paulino Pérez, an 80-year-old man born with speech and hearing difficulties. Through the spaces created by the Tb’anl Chwinqlal group, Paulino has learned about buen vivir and the importance of caring for the environment. Now, alongside the women, he motivates his family and the rest of the community to continue learning and practicing these principles, ensuring that the values of respect for the land and community are passed down.

The word shalom is often translated as peace. As theologian Walter Brueggemann (1976) describes it, shalom is “the central vision of world history in the Bible… that all creation is one, each creature in community with every other, living in harmony and security, toward the joy and well-being of every other creature…”[1] Shalom encompasses both material and spiritual well-being, creating the conditions necessary for the full flourishing of community members. It seeks to establish just, reconciled, and healthy relationships with God, other people, and nature.

When comparing shalom to the Mayan concept of buen vivir, it becomes clear that both embody similar principles. Both seek a life of fullness, lived in harmony with the world and those around us. The vision of God’s shalom is reflected in the Mayan philosophy of buen vivir—each offering a way of life that prioritizes balance, justice, and the well-being of the community.

The women of San Miguel Ixtahuacán are living examples of how shalom and buen vivir can be realized in everyday life. Their initiatives not only work to heal the wounds left by mining and conflict but also aim to revitalize and strengthen the community bonds so essential in the Mayan worldview. By creating spaces for learning, collaboration, and mutual support, these women are demonstrating how both shalom and buen vivir can lead to a life in harmony with nature and each other.

[1] Brueggemann W. (1976). Living toward a vision. Biblical Reflections on Shalom by Walter Brueggemann. Page 15.