Our Mission: We are an organization of the indigenous and rural ladino (mixed) population of Guatemala marginalized and excluded from development. In order to make feasible our aspirations and dreams of a better life for our families, our community and our partner communities, we have been constructing our own mandate and structure. Since our wish is to become one of the best grassroots organizations of Guatemala and America, our work is performed with a qualified team, and it is done with the community in a transparent and humble way.

In 1993, certain political, economic, national and international events favoured the development of U.A.M. These events were:

• SUPPORT FROM THE INTERNATIONAL AGENGIES
• AN UNSTABLE COUNTRY WITH MANY YEARS OF WAR AND A NEW PEACE PROCESS
• DIFFICULTIES TO CREATE AN ORGANIZATION LIKE U.A.M.
• AN EXCLUDED AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
• THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITIES WITH THE MUNICIPAL AND REGIONAL TREND

U.A.M emerged as a coordinating organization for the associations. U.A.M. stands for Unión de Agricultores Minifundistas de Guatemala or Union of Small Farmers of Guatemala. Due to legal requirements, this name was abbreviated to Unión de Agricultores Minifundistas--U.A.M.

Back then, U.A.M. did not have the associations to coordinate the development of projects that would benefit them. For instance, the alternative program of Education for Leadership, the organic agriculture, the commercialization, etc. did not exist. Moreover, they did not have an organization that would facilitate the direction, the management and the control of regional programs, the definition of politics and work strategies, or the knowledge and principles of community problems.

This was the initial foundation that persuaded the Presidents of the Boards of Directors to make the decision to create the Unidad de Asociaciones Microregionales de Base (U.A.M.) in September 20^th, 1993.

Our initial purpose was to become an organization addressing the regional development and facilitating the coordination amongst the AMB's to develop a work team that would benefit them all. For this goal, we elected a temporary Board of Directors who planned a work plan. They splitted into commissions to attend specific actions of the work plan.

INSTITUTIONAL VISION

WITH REGARDS TO THE DIRECT CUSTOMERS TO THE YEAR 2003: With the participation of men and women, the associated groups have gained a wholistic sustainablity, an administrative and a technical consolidation through the production, processing and commercialization of their products.

VISION OF THE INSTITUTION: U.A.M.´s main feature, which is the formation of community leaders, allows the organization to provide and sell its services to the demanding institutions. U.A.M. is a sustainable organization in the political, social and financial terms.

VISION OF THE WORK TEAM: U.A.M. has a professional and specialized team that works accordingly to improve and keep the communication process. We are recognized amongst our clients; and promote the equal participation and conditions of work for men and women.

To strenghten the structure of the organization in the communities of the rural area.

To strenghten the technical abilities of the community leaders.

To manage and distribute financial and technical assistance with regards to the development of programs and projects.

To consolidate administrative and accounting systems for the programs and projects.

To coordinate and manage feasibility studies and the execution of projects (agro-industrial, agricultural, ecological, artesanal, product commercialization, etc.)

To promote cooperation between UAM and other organizations with similar purposes.