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Objectives To promote community health and early childhood development through the training of community health promoters, complemented by pediatric outreach clinics and individualized interventions in rural communities of Jalpatagua, Guatemala.Methods The program was implemented in six rural communities with high prevalence of malnutrition and poverty. Local residents were trained as health promoters, responsible for monitoring child growth and promoting early development. Interventions included home visits and medical outreach sessions. Children received micronutrient and macronutrient supplementation and follow-up from community health promoters.Results Forty-seven cases of child malnutrition were identified. After the intervention, 20% of children reached normal nutritional status, and 47% showed improvement in growth indicators. Beyond physical recovery, the intervention fostered caregiving practices that strengthened stimulation and early development. The close support provided by health promoters ensured adherence to treatment, restored family confidence, improved responsiveness to health risks, and raised awareness of the importance of early childhood development.Conclusions By improving nutritional status, key processes in children’s development, learning, and social interaction are strengthened. The role of community health promoters proved decisive: their belonging to the community built trust and allowed for consistent family follow-up, ensuring the sustainability of caregiving practices. This represents an effective and replicable strategy for vulnerable rural communities.