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MIDES Discusses Social Kitchen Expansion Amidst Linguistic Debate in Congress
Guatemala City, Guatemala – A recent congressional session saw a lively exchange regarding the Ministry of Social Development's (MIDES) initiatives, particularly the expansion of social kitchens across Guatemala. During the proceedings, a MIDES representative provided an update on the ministry's social protection efforts in the department of Sololá. She detailed the work being carried out in three municipalities – Santa Cruz la Laguna, Santa Catarina la Laguna, and San Pablo la Laguna – noting that approximately 350 beneficiaries have been included in the social registry of homes. "We are working as Social Protection in three municipalities of the department of Sololá. In Santa Cruz la Laguna, Santa Catarina la Laguna, San Pablo la Laguna. In these three places, we have worked with the Social Registry of Homes. We have included approximately 350 beneficiaries," the representative stated. She added that while the Social Kitchen program has not yet been introduced to these specific areas, MIDES is actively working in the department and visiting mayors to coordinate the implementation of various social programs, including the Social Kitchen program. However, the presentation was interrupted by a male deputy who requested the representative to speak in Spanish. "Answer the people of Guatemala and tell them: When will you give them food?" he pressed, adding, "Answer in Spanish, please. I will ask them to translate that. It seems like a lack of education on your part. I am asking you, and you are answering in another language that I do not manage. It is a lack of education on your part." The MIDES representative responded by acknowledging the deputy's request in Spanish. "With pleasure, I addressed the people of Sololá who speak Kaqchikel, K'iche', and Tz'utujil. I addressed you in K'iche' to inform you that we have reached the opening of 97 social kitchens in different departments and municipalities. For the department of Sololá, the team is visiting the mayors to talk with them and thus bring the 'Social Kitchen' Social Program. Also, if anyone interested wants to coordinate with us to work, they can make their requests with the Kaqchikel staff in Sololá. Thank you." She then added, "With all due respect, it is one of the languages that has been imposed on me, the Spanish language. I regret very much that in the Congress, where diverse languages should be managed, it is not managed, but with pleasure I can translate it. Because you told me to address the people of Guatemala, I addressed the people of Sololá, mentioning that, although it is true that in the town of Sololá there are K'iche', Kaqchikel, and Tz'utujil people, I took the floor to be able to address the K'iche' people who are in Sololá." MIDES reaffirms its commitment to the Guatemalan population, aiming to expand its social programs to reach more communities in need.
