Background and Organizational History

WINGS’ Vision

We envision a Guatemala where every person of or nearing reproductive age:

	Has pertinent knowledge and complete access to reproductive health and family planning services;
	Is free from cultural or religious constraints to use family planning methods;
	Is able to use family planning methods safely and healthfully;
	Can openly and comfortably discuss reproductive issues with their partners and/or parents.

WINGS’ Mission

WINGS provides information, financial resources, and access to reproductive health services to low-income, rural and/or indigenous Guatemalans, enabling them to plan their families, thereby improving their reproductive health and quality of life.

WINGS Core Values

	We strive to earn and convey trust through integrity, openness and honesty;
	We actively listen to those we serve to develop relationships that honor their culture, rights, wishes and dignity;
	We work as a team, holding one another accountable as we diligently pursue opportunities to expand, improve and deepen our work;
	To enhance our effectiveness, we seek productive partnerships with local organizations to provide equal access for all Guatemalans in our target population;
	We seek and abide by the most up to-date and culturally appropriate medical practices and information, ensuring that those we serve benefit from our continuous learning;

How did WINGS get started?

In 1999, a Guatemalan nurse approached Sue Patterson, a former U.S. Consul General, now retired in Guatemala, seeking financial help for seven women, each of whom had at least eight children and did not want more. Moved by their desire to provide a more secure future for their existing children, Sue emailed several friends asking for contributions. The response greatly exceeded her expectation, as she received over $4,000 to help these and other families. Sue realized she needed to form a more structured organization to disperse the funds, and so she began to work with other Guatemalan NGOs (non-governmental organizations) to subsidize the costs of birth control for the poorest Guatemalans. In 2000, WINGS was formally incorporated as a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and in 2003 was granted equivalent status in Guatemala.

What does WINGS do?

WINGS focuses on family planning and reproductive health education and care. Each is an important component in reducing poverty and helping families become, and remain, economically stable. WINGS increases access to birth control and reproductive health care by mitigating common obstacles such as geographic isolation, lack of financial resources and education, and cultural barriers. This is accomplished by working closely with Guatemalan NGOs and governmental health centers, conducting outreach in rural communities, subsidizing the cost of birth control methods, providing cervical cancer screenings, and holding seminars on reproductive health to rural, poor, and indigenous Guatemalans.

Who does WINGS help?

WINGS focuses on low-income, rural, and/or indigenous communities, which have the least access to reproductive health services and information.

Where does WINGS work?

WINGS concentrates its efforts in three departments of Guatemala: Escuintla, Sacatepequez and Chimaltenango. WINGS also partners with a few local organizations in other areas of Guatemala.

How is WINGS structured?

WINGS currently employs: an Executive Director, a Program Director, eight field staff, a full-time Development & Communications Manager and one full time and two part-time administrative staff members. All are based in Antigua, Guatemala. The organization does not maintain a clinic, but instead, collaborates with other organizations to expand its reach of services. This approach maximizes limited resources while avoiding duplication of services. WINGS’ technical staff develop relationships with other NGOs and governmental organizations, with which they coordinate rural cervical cancer screening clinics, create access to and track follow-up treatment for women who require it, provide reproductive health seminars with youth and adults, coordinate voluntary sterilization clinics, provide family planning counseling, and assist clients in accessing the family planning method of their choice.

Every dollar counts

• $15 allows 3 women to be protected from unwanted pregnancies for one year, using birth control pills.

• $50 allows 4 women to be protected from unwanted pregnancy for one year using Depo Provera injections every three months.

• $100 pays for 7 women or men to undergo voluntary sterilization, thus permanently protecting them from unwanted pregnancies.

• $250 pays for 20 women to receive cervical cancer screening and necessary follow-up treatment.

• $500 supports 2 Youth Multipliers for one year, allowing them to receive comprehensive training, educate their peers, and provide referrals for family planning and reproductive health services.

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