“Mano Amiga Project, Supporting Returned Migrants ”

The “Mano Amiga - Supporting Returned Migrants” project is promoted by Adefagua, the Association for the Development of the Guatemalan Family, a secular, non-profit organization that has been dedicated to supporting migrants since 2017.  mental health of  vulnerable populations living in red zones of the Capital City,   Working for the comprehensive development of mental health through education, prevention, treatment and healing, always promoting dignity and respect for every human being.

Political changes and the start of presidential terms often have implications for various actors. New US immigration policies have impacted the undocumented population residing in the country, and mass deportations have generated social problems for those without up-to-date personal documentation upon their return to their country of origin. 

The project “Mano Amiga - Supporting the Returned Migrant”,  It arises from the need to help solve problems stemming from the situation of people deported en masse, in terms of economic and emotional instability and legal aspects.

Project description

The project consists of implementing a system of legal, economic and psychological support for people returning from the United States, seeking to facilitate social and economic integration adapted to the country's context.

Scope of the Mano Amiga project - Supporting Returned Migrants -

To benefit 200 people, contributing to the personal well-being of themselves and their families with an economic incentive for the purchase of food, psychological care to achieve emotional stability and advice to resolve legal issues related to the updating of personal documents.

This number of beneficiaries is based on the virtual psychological support processes that each participant will receive, consisting of one weekly session for 10 weeks, which corresponds to international standards in psychological practice to generate a significant change in behavior.

Strategic Alliances

Mano Amiga -Supporting Returned Migrants- is made possible through strategic alliances with public sector institutions, civil society, and international cooperation agencies that have an impact on migrant issues, and who either refer people to the project who require the services it offers, or complement the initial work that these institutions have already developed.

Efforts are underway to establish strategic alliances with entities related to migration issues, such as the Guatemalan Migration Institute (IGM), the Guatemalan Red Cross, and the International Organization for Migration, among other organizations.

Psychosocial support will be provided through psychological support in virtual sessions, phone top-ups, and cards redeemable for food.

Our team

The Mano Amiga project – Supporting Returned Migrants – is led by the Association for the Development of the Guatemalan Family (ADEFAGUA). It will be implemented by a multidisciplinary team comprised of legal professionals, social workers, a project coordinator, and psychologists.

Learn more about Adefagua here: https://adefagua.org