Elderly Info

The food crisis in Guatemala is having a devastating effect on the elderly. Without enough to eat, many older people are becoming weak and malnourished, leaving them more vulnerable to illnesses that they cannot afford medical care for. They are unable to provide for even their most basic needs. In many cases, family members are unable to help as they struggle to feed themselves and their own children, leaving the elderly without any form of support and often living in heartbreaking conditions.

Please help us bring them the life-sustaining food and medical care that they so desperately need. General donations are used to ensure that we always have an adequate supply of food, medicine, and funds for meals, necessary medical treatment, and transportation. Monthly sponsorship would help feed one person, once a day for five days a week. Via blog and web album, we'll show you exactly where your aid is going and help you get to know the men and women whose lives you are changing.

If you would like to sponsor an elderly person for $35 a month, please click here and write "monthly sponsorship'' in the Other box. To make a one-time donation for medicine, rent, or other costs, please click here and enter "Elderly Care Program" in the Other box. Any questions can be directed to Amy at amy@mayanfamilies.org


Media on Mayan Families Elderly

Book:
Ancianos : Megan Gette + photos by Rob Bain, Nisa East, Rhett Hammerton and Hiroko Tanaka

Videos:
Mayan Families- Ancianos Stories : Nisa East

Mayan Families Elderly Feeding Care Program : Rhett Hammerton

Facing Hunger: Elderly in Rural Guatemala



Nov 9, 2010

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.

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