Another Successful Supplies Distribution!

Lencha Bocel and her great granddaughter

November 25, 2010 - We just had another successful distribution of supplies to our members and their families. This time we included shoes, soap, skin moisturizers (especially important for the bedridden), sheets, towels, and more blankets and sweaters.

The supplies that we distribute are based on the needs that we observe. Through our daily visits of our elderly members, we are also able to check up on and help their families. 

For example, through our lunch runs we found out that Jose David, the handicapped grandson of Fransisca Chuiqirin, wasn't getting any assistance. Now, with the help of Mayan Families, he is getting physical therapy twice a week. Also, when we found out that elderly member Maria Sequec's grandchildren didn't have shoes or enough clothes, we got them all some.

For more photos of the event, click here!

Maria Sequec's family receiving clothing, shoes, and blankets.

Maria Germana and Her Son, Victor

Maria locking up her house. Clothes that her
daughter, Maria, washed are hanging outside.

Maria Germana is a 77-year-old mother of 7 (5 sons and 2 daughters). Maria is very friendly and affectionate--without exception greeting Mayan Families staff with hugs and kisses, and occasionally inviting us to some fresh lemonade as well! Since being widowed, she has lived with one son, as well as his wife and three children, in a small, partitioned house. In the other partition live Maria's daughter, Marta, and 3 grandchildren

The quarters are cramped, but the family is glad to be staying together in this government-subsidized housing. Maria spends most of her time at home, helping her daughter Marta with the housework and enjoying the company of her grandchildren, but she also goes out everyday.

Victor and Maria; (Maria had just been crying after they recounted
to us Victor's story).

One place that Maria goes to everyday is the home of Victor Hernandez, one of her sons. Victor, now 49, was blinded in a workplace accident when he was 24. It was a tragedy that touches them deeply to this day. Before the accident he was a great athlete and very social and popular. Unfortunately, since the accident Victor has not been able to live a normal life--He was never married and hardly ever finds work. Victor now relies on support from his mother, other family members, and friends. Victor's condition is a source of great sadness for Maria; Victor himself moves in and out of depression. Blindness and poverty in combination are especially trying on the spirit.

Victor is the youngest person in our "Elderly" Care Program. Although he doesn't quite fall into the target age group, we bring lunch, too, because otherwise he would go without. 

Another place that Maria often goes to (once a week) is the public health clinic so that she can get her blood pressure measured. Maria has high blood pressure, and although she attempts to take good care of herself, she often goes without the heart medicine she needs because her family cannot afford it. During the dangerous periods that Maria goes without blood pressure medication, Maria--who is usually all smiles--feels sick and weak. 

There are a few things that would greatly lighten the lives of Maria and Victor:

- Monthly sponsorship for Maria's blood pressure medicine (just $6.25 a month!)

- A new bed and mattress for Maria ($170); She has a very old and uncomfortable bed (especially unsuitable for an elderly person), and--although our members rarely complain or ask for anything--she has said that it pains her, especially given her worsening arthritis. In the photo on the right is Maria's bed. The metal frame, which does not fit the old spring mattress, can be felt as Maria tries to sleep (in a room shared by 6 people). 

- A new bed and mattress for Victor ($170). His bed--almost the only thing he owns--is also very old and uncomfortable.

- Literature in Spanish brail for Victor, or any other special resources for blind people. Victor has very little property--Anything would be welcome. In such poverty and without being able to see, Victor has so little to do, and that is a major reason for his fits of depression.

To make a monthly donation to help Maria with her blood pressure medication, please click here and enter "Elderly Care, Maria Germana medicine" in the Other Program section. To make a one-time gift donation to Maria Germana or Victor Hernandez, please click here and enter "Elderly Care, Maria Germana [details]" or "Elderly Care, Victor Hernandez [details]" in the Other section. (Please make sure to include their last names.) Thank you so much!

Maria next to her bed and in her bedroom, which she shares
with 5 other people (her son and his wife and 3 children)

Esther

Update March 14th 2011
Esther passed away on Sunday 13th March. We would like to thank her sponsor for making sure her final months were far more pleasant and allowed her to be far more cared for than she could have been without the support provided. We are so grateful that thanks to her sponsor  she was able to eat everyday, received medicine and medical care as needed and was able to pass away in as much comfort as possible. May she rest in peace


Update Feb 2011

Yesterday, along with her normal lunch, we gave Esther some vitamins and some more medication and checked in on her. She still has a lot of pain in her mouth, but at least she is receiving appropriate care and medication and the family who is now providing for her are looking after her attentively and we always see her in a comfortable looking sofa, rather than just her wheelchair, like in the other house she was living in.

Update Jan 2011

Thanks to generous donations from a sponsor Esther has been able to have another Dr consult and has a new supply of medication. She is now living with her son and his family and they are taking great care of her.

 *November 22, 2010 Update*

Ester had a great doctor's visit! She and the family are very excited to start her new medicines and exercises. We'll let you know how it goes! Also, we just got a tamale basket donation for Esther for the holidays! We're looking forward to bringing it to her and will be sure to post photos!



Esther and her daughter, Dora, at the Rancho
Grande Clinic before their appointment



Dr. Escobar, one of our most trusted doctors, examined Esther and gave her a prescription for a different pain medicine (not surprisingly, he said that the pain medicines that Esther had been taking were not good). Dr. Escobar also taught Esther and her family exercises that Esther can do to improve her general health and perhaps lift her spirits (exercises included sorting good beans from the bad with the kids--for dinner and hand exercise!). Aside from addressing her terrible pain, Dr. Escobar emphasized that Esther must be active. Both Esther and her daughter Dora were very excited about the visit, and Dora explained to the rest of the family all the exercises that Esther should be doing. We're hoping that the grandkids will help and that it can be made into a fun family activity! Esther's new pain medicine, Topamax (generic: Topiramato), costs $27.19 for a month supply (she is meant to take 25mg every night). This medicine is especially made to address neuropathy problems. Dr. Escobar wants to see Esther in a month, though, to make sure that the medicine is adequate, and so we are hoping to have the funds to take her back for this followup appointment around the 24th of December.

Thank you so much for your support. That alone has brought Esther and her family a lot of joy and hope. We are hoping for the best and will keep you posted on progress!



Esther with the cough medicine that Dr. Escobar also prescribed her. She has had a chronic cough. In addition to prescribing the cough medicine, Dr. Escobar taught Esther various exercises that she should do to increase circulation, improve lung and general health, and thus avoid such problems.



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*November 20, 2010 Update* 

We just got a donation to get Esther quality medical attention. Thank you so much for your support.

Tomorrow morning we will be taking Esther to a private clinic for a thorough exam with one of our most trusted doctors. We are keeping our fingers crossed for better treatment for Esther's severe pain problems. We'll keep you posted on the results. Again, thank you!

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Meet Esther

November 17, 2010 - It has been just over two weeks since we added Esther Velasquez Mota to our Elderly Care Program. Esther is a 78-year-old woman and was referred to us by community members who said she really needed help. She is a widow and lives with her daughter, grandson, and the grandson's wife and kids.

About one year ago, Esther fell, dislocated her hip, and fractured her leg and pelvis in three places. Since then she has been bound to her wheelchair and using diapers.

When we met her, Esther was crying in pain. Her family says that about 15 years ago Ester had a botched dental operation (a tooth removal) that damaged her nerves and left her with chronic pain. The poor woman is almost always in pain. When we arrived at her house the first time, the pain was so intense that she begged us for help. Ester takes pain medicine, but it is insufficient. The family cannot afford to get specialized medical attention for Esther to see if something better can be done about her pain. Please help us get her a proper check up in a private clinic to see if we can do something to alleviate her suffering. It would cost just $75 and could change her world tremendously. To make a donation, click here and enter "Elderly Care, Esther" in the Other section.

Esther with her granddaughter-in-law and
great-grandchildren. When we took these photos, Esther
was suffering a bad fit of pain.

Esther with her great grandson. On the day this
photo was taken, Esther's pain was more mild,
and so she got to better enjoy the company of
the children.

Distribution of Clothing Donations

One of our newest members, Manuel Parajon,
with his new t-shirts and socks--Very excited!

November 9, 2010 - Today we distributed clothing donations to our male ancianos! They were all very happy to receive some much needed shirts, sweaters, vests, underwear, and socks. Click here for more photos. Thank you all for your support!

Victor Archila with his new t-shirts, long
sleeve tees, and underwear. He also got a
warm comforter. 

Victor Broke His Leg! ... And His Bed

Update 11th Feb 2011

Receiving pain medication and vitamins

Victor is always happy and cheery when we deliver his lunch, and never at home. He likes to sit out and watch the world go by. He still walks with a walking stick, but he is doing quite well, and only sometimes is in pain from his injuries. Yesterday we gave him more vitamins and pain medication and he was so grateful.

*November 15, 2010 Update* 

Victor got his new bed and mattress! It was a surprise, and he was so thrilled! Victor sends warm thanks to his sponsor. 

For more photos, click here! Thank you so much for your support! This is such a great comfort for Victor.

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*November 9, 2010 Update* 

We have gotten a donation to buy Victor a bed and mattress!

We'll be giving him this gift on Friday--He'll be thrilled (he was so thrilled just to get clothing donations)! Thank you so much for your support. We will be looking for other ways to improve Victor's living circumstances--The photos below can give you an idea of why. Stay tuned on how you can help.

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Victor slowly walking towards the entrance
to his home (left). He has been supporting
himself with crutches.

November 1, 2010 - Poor Victor (for his full profile, check the bottom of this post) has broken his leg. He just lost his footing on the way to his home and fell the wrong way. He's gotten a cast and crutches and is receiving medical care, but his circumstances at home, which were difficult before, are now almost unbearable. His bed, made of wooden planks and straw--hard, lumpy, and uncomfortable to begin with--now has a big hole in the middle of it. You can see his room and bed in the photos below. 81-year-old Victor was in very good general health before all of this happened, but having a broken leg and trying to sleep on such a terrible bed is very trying on him. He hasn't asked us for a new bed (our elderly clients rarely ask for anything), but he has been requesting more and more pain medicine.

A close-up of Victor's bed. It is made of straw and wooden
planks. Lumpy and hard to begin with, the bed now has a
hole that makes it unhealthy and extremely uncomfortable.

Please help us get a new bed and mattress ($170) for Victor. It would greatly relieve his suffering and help his recovery. To make a donation, please click here and enter "Elderly Care, Victor's bed" in the Other section. Thank you!

A view of Victor's bed and about half of his room. The floor
is dirt; there is no kitchen; and there are very large (one foot)
gaps in the walls, easily letting in wind and rain.

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Meet Victor Archila

Victor is 81 years old, but he doesn’t know his birthday. His wife passed away years ago, leaving him completely alone since they did not have children. He lives by himself in a small one room home made from wooden planks.

Victor has a first grade education. He does his best to support himself working as a day laborer despite chronic leg pain, and he is able to earn about $6 on days he can find work. Unfortunately, he can usually only find work about once a week, and $6 a week is not enough to keep him fed, clothed, and healthy. A sponsorship or donations to help him pay for food, vitamins, pain medicine, clothing, and shoes could make all the difference for Victor.

Fransisca Chiquirin

Update December 17 2010

Francisca in her new room!

Thanks to very generous donations Francisca now has her own room and a brand new bed! This has not only provided more space for the rest of the family who have been a family of 9 crammed into one small room, but allows  Francisca healthier living conditions. As mentioned below Francisca was previously sleeping on the floor without a mattress, crammed in behind the door, and doing so with a broken leg. This new bed and room are making a world of difference to Francisca's quality of life.
Thank you to everyone who provided this wonderful and vital assistance.

*December 9, 2010 Update*

Fransisca has received her first package of incaparina. Also, she will be moving into her new room on the week of the 13th-- She and the family are very excited and send out many thanks to her sponsor!

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*November 28, 2010 Update*
 
 Fransisca just got a donation for 12 months´rent for the room next door, 12 months of pain medicine, 5 months of incaparina (a fortified starch food), and a tamale basket for the holidays! Wow! Thank you so much to her generous donors! We will be sure to keep you updated and show you photos when she happily receives all of these wonderful gifts!

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*November 26, 2010 Update*

 

Fransisca receiving vitamin supplement
donations. These have been critical to her
recovery (since she broke her leg). When she
returned from the hospital, we gave Fransisca
a can of Ensure, a powdered and enriched meal
substitute. Because we cannot pay for the
Ensure ($11 for a medium-sized can, $22 for
a large can), we have begun to just give
Fransisca multivitamin pills.

 We have been delighted to see Fransisca sleeping like a baby since she got her new bed donation! Unfortunately, though, Fransisca still very much needs monthly sponsorship to help pay for her food and medicine. She needs diapers and medication for the intense pain in her legs and hands, as well as for gastritis and malnutrition. She also needs incaparina, a fortified starch food that is one of the few things that she can stomach. Fransisca's pain medicines cost $16.50 a month, and her incaparina costs $5 for a one-week supply.

If possible, we would also like to rent for Fransisca the room next door. As it is now, she is sharing a small, cinderblock room with seven other family members, including her handicapped grandson, Jose David. There is so little space in the room that the family has to crawl over beds to get to the kids' area (see photos at the bottom of the blog post). Renting this room would cost just $16 a month and would allow Fransisca to get more proper rest and cleaner air.

The small room that is available for rent for Q125 (~$16). Now that there is a new bed in the Chiquirin's one bedroom home, the space (which is currently sleeping 8 people, including two handicapped persons) is especially cramped and stuffy. Renting out this room next door would be a big relief.

Up front: the room for rent. Behind it is the one bedroom home that the Chiquirin family is already renting. The extra space that this room would provide would essentially be an extension of their current small home.

To make a monthly contribution towards Fransisca's needs, please click here and enter "Elderly Care, Fransisca" in the Other Program section. To make a one-time donation for Fransisca, please click here and enter "Elderly Care, Fransisca" in the Other section. Thank you so much!
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 *November 12, 2010 Update*

We just got a donation for a new bed for Fransisca!

Thank you so much for your support. Fransisca already has her bed, a luxury compared to what she had to deal with before. Because the Chiquirin family's room was too small to hold the bed, our carpenter, Carlos, cut it a bit shorter, and now it fits perfectly. 

Fransisca on her new bed-- Comfy!

From left: Fransisca (sleeping soundly), her great-granddaughter, and her grandson, Jose David, who is physically handicapped and looking for sponsorship so that he can continue his physical therapy sessions

For more photos, click here. Again, thank you so much for your support.

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*November 11, 2010 Update*

Fransisca is back home, but immobile and desperately needs a bed.

Given the serious risk that would be involved (given Fransisca's age and weak condition), she and her family have decided not to undergo an operation to correct the fractures in her leg. She is on pain medicine and nutritional supplements that Mayan Families have provided. Fransisca will have to keep on the cast and stay in 'bed' for two months.

Staff at Mayan Families thought that Fransisca shared a bed with the rest of her family (there are 8 sharing the bedroom), but we discovered today that she sleeps on the floor. 

This is Fransisca's sleeping space, behind the
door. She sleeps on top of an old blanket on
the floor.

Fransisca with her great-granddaughter, who also shares
the room with Fransisca. With 8 people sharing the small
bedroom, it is very cramped and stuffy. 

The sleeping situation is terrible, especially now that Fransisca is confined to the space and cannot move. It is not just uncomfortable--It is dangerous. The doctors told us that in her condition Fransisca is liable to get sores on her back even on a normal bed. These sores can lead to infection that among the elderly here too often lead to death. Please help us get a bed for Fransisca. It would make a world of difference. We can (after removing some items from the room) fit a small bed in the room, and this would cost just $75. To make a donation, please click here and enter "Elderly Care, Fransisca's bed" in the Other section.

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* November 9, 2010 Update: Fransisca broke her leg and is being treated at the hospital in Solola.*

Paramedics rushed her to the hospital. Because of the road
damages, we had to take a paramedic boat to San Gorje and
and then over to Solola.

Fransisca was in a lot of pain, but they are giving her injections for that. She also got a cast put on her leg. The doctor said that Fransisca needs to stay at the hospital for at least a couple of days because she is in bad condition. He also said that Fransisca needs an operation on her leg. We are going to take her to a private clinic for a second opinion on the matter once she is in a condition to leave to hospital. We'll keep you posted.

Fransisca and Ventura, her daughter-in-law and primary caretaker, on the
ride to San Gorje. The paramedics escorted us on a private boat. 

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Meet Fransisca Chiquirin

receiving adult diaper donations

Francisca is an affectionate 90-year-old woman with (as you can see) a wide, warm smile.  She can’t hear, so she communicates with her daughter-in-law Ventura, who is her primary caretaker, through sign language. Fransisca’s son Oseas, Ventura, three of their five children, two of their grandchildren, and Fransisca (for eight people total) share a small, damp room that holds only two beds and a tiny window. Oseas works as a construction worker as often as he can, but the demand for construction is severely affected by storms, and he often goes long periods of time without work due to the rain.  After tropical storm Agatha, Oseas could not get work for 5 months, leaving the family to subsist on the few quetzals that Ventura earned by selling tortillas.

Jose David, Ventura, Oseas, and a granddaughter 

One of the eight family members living in this small room is Jose David, Oseas and Ventura’s 13-year-old son. Jose David is severely disabled. He cannot walk and never went to school. But he is always smiling, making jokes, and delighting his parents. In these cramped quarters it is easy to see that this is a very loving family.

receiving gastritis medicine

Both Francisca and Jose David must use diapers, which can cost up to $2.50 a day—a heavy burden on a family with such unsteady income. Fransisca needs medication for the intense pain in her legs and hands, as well as for gastritis and malnutrition. She also needs incaparina, a fortified starch food that is one of the few things that she can stomach. Oseas uses every spare cent to buy the medicines and incaparina when he can, but very often Fransisca must go without. Your support can ensure that Fransisca has a consistent supply of the medicines and food that she desperately needs. Your support would also help relieve the Chiquirin family of the burdensome necessity to buy diapers, allowing them to use their resources to feed and provide for the education of their children and grandchildren.

To make a one-time donation for Fransisca, please click here and enter "Elderly Care, Fransisca" in the Other section. To make a monthly contribution towards Fransisca's needs, please click here and enter "Elderly Care, Fransisca" in the Other Program section. Thank you so much!

Pedro Gets His New Home!

Pedro on his new chair in his new room

Thanks to the help of so many people, Pedro moved into his new and fully furnished home this week. It was a huge surprise for Pedro--At first he didn't even believe it! And when Pedro understood that this really was all for him, his reaction was enough to bring the entire room to tears (3 Mayan Families staff members and volunteers were present, along with almost a dozen neighbors). Pedro was overwhelmed and more lit up than we've ever seen him. He thanked everyone effusively, laughed, cried, and prayed.

Surprise! Breaking the news to Pedro
From left: Pedro's new landlord, Pedro, Ronnie
(an Elderly Care Program volunteer)

Pedro's initial reactions

You already know what kind of a place Pedro had been living in--Almost anything would have been an improvement. But with your donations we got enough for a lovely home. Pedro now has a comfortable bed, blankets, pillow, table, chair, armoire, water filter, and a safe, warm place to live near the people he knows. As Mayan Families' director Sharon said, it is only a simple room, but to Pedro it is a palace.

Ronnie showing Pedro his new armoire



Pedro trying out his new bed


We want to express deepest thanks to everyone who has helped to make such an incredible difference in Pedro's life. It's is a beautiful example of the great things we can do--of how much we can better the world--when we combine our efforts.

Pedro took some time to pray,
thanking God for these gifts

 

Pedro and volunteer Ronnie


Click here for more photos of the event (we have a bunch).

We are still looking for sponsors and some urgent one-time gifts for our neediest members, whose stories are up on the blog. Please help us to create other success stories like Pedro's.

Again, on behalf of Pedro, thank you all so very much.