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



Feb 23, 2012

Marcela may not live much longer


Marcela is 88 years old. She has recently taken a terrible turn for the worse and is not expected to live much longer. She has asthma and is in a lot of pain, and cannot leave her bed. But she only wants to take natural medicine. She doesn't want any medical help, she only asks for disposable diapers and a blanket. Her family is respecting her wishes and are surrounding her with love and care. They are already preparing for her funeral, but find themselves too poor to afford a proper burial. They have come to us and asked for help with funeral costs and help buying diapers and a blanket to make Marcela more comfortable in her last days. We are asking for $200 to help Marcela.

To help Marcela and her family during this difficult time, please go to Donate Now and scroll down.  Enter your donation in the "Other $" box.  In the "Details" box, write "A36 Medical". Thank you so much for your care and concern!

Feb 18, 2012

Alejandro has passed away

We're deeply saddened to report that Alejandro has passed away. After fighting for several days he is now at peace, but his family is obviously grieving his loss (you can read the original post here). Alejandro passed away in the public hospital in the capital. His body now has to be transported nearly 3 hours to Panajachel by a licensed car certified to carry deceased bodies. It's very expensive and the family doesn't know how they will afford it. Plus, they are planning the funeral and paying the medical bills that Alejandro incurred during his hospitalization. A Mayan Families employee visited Alejandro's family today and they had nothing to eat. The family is grieving the loss of a loved one and also faced with nearly impossible financial burdens. To pay for the certified transport, the funeral, and the medical bills, the family needs $300. Please consider helping this family in this great time of need. To help, please go to Donate Now and scroll down. Enter your donation in the "Other $" box.  In the "Details" box, write "A33 Medical".

Feb 14, 2012

Fidelia and Maria Lucas need your help!

Fidelia
Fidelia (A82) recently became very ill so she went to a private doctor who ran several tests. He found that her blood sugar was very high and she complained that her entire body hurt to the point that she couldn't walk. The doctor gave her some medicine and also sent her to an OB/GYN because she has a UTI. She has made her appointment, but she can't afford to go because of the cost. Fidelia needs $75.
Maria Lucas with a previous donation of Ensure

Maria Lucas (A10) does not have enough money to eat nutritionally rich foods. Besides the meal she receives form our program, she can only afford to eat corn tortillas and coffee. We've given her Ensure in the past and it is a great source of much-needed vitamins and nutrition. Finances are very tight for her family and she needs more Ensure. We would like to help her and buy a bottle of Ensure for her. Maria Lucas needs $30.

To help these women with these medical needs, please go to Donate Now and scroll down.  Enter your donation in the "Other $" box.  In the "Details" box, write "A82 Medical" to help Fidelia and/or "A10 Ensure" to help Maria Lucas. Thank you so much!

Feb 10, 2012

Alejandro is in the hospital

UPDATE: Alejandro has been transferred to the hospital in Guatemala City because the doctors in Solola said there was nothing they could do for him. He is not doing well. He is unconscious most of the time and can only move his hands. His family wants to take him home since there is not much more that can be done for him. The family is obviously hurting and grieving, but on top of this they are struggling financially. Alejandro's short time in two hospitals has created many medical expenses that the family cannot afford. Please keep Alejandro and his family in your thoughts and consider helping them financially through this difficult time.

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Alejandro is a sweet man who lives in San Jorge and is part of our Elderly Care Program. He lives alone and has had over-all good health, despite some eye problems and muscular pain. However, we were very sad to hear that yesterday Alejandro fainted and was taken to the hospital in Solola. The doctors are running tests on him to determine exactly what's wrong, but Alejandro is not doing well. The doctors are not optimistic of his full recovery and we're very worried about Alejandro. His family is also very concerned because they can't afford his medical expenses. We need $100 for his medical needs at this time, and we will hopefully know more soon about what type of a treatment he may need. To donate, please go to Donate Now, and scroll down. Enter your donation in the "Other $" box.  In the "Details" box, write "A33 Medical". Thank you so much for helping this family during this very difficult time! If you have any questions, contact us at familyaid@mayanfamilies.org

Feb 7, 2012

Miguel needs medical help

Miguel is a sweet member of our elderly program. He lives with his brother and it is always a delight to visit these two gentlemen because they are so friendly. Recently, however, Miguel has been having health problems with his prostate. We took him to the doctor who prescribed various medicaitons for him, which will hopefully help him greatly. However, Miguel also needs a prostate exam. The cost of his consult, his medications, and his future exam is $173. Please consider helping Miguel with his health problems.

To make a one-time donation to help Miguel, please go to Donate Now and scroll down.  Enter your donation in the "Other $" box.  In the "Details" box, write "A24 Medical". Thank you so much for caring for our elderly!

Feb 1, 2012

New space for our elderly!

We have made a slight change to our Elderly Feeding Program in Panajachel. Instead of delivering every lunch to each home, we have set up a "cafeteria" area where the majority of our elderly come to be served lunch and they can all eat together. We're very happy with this new space, as it provides community for the elderly who now look forward to eating lunch together. This change also cuts down on our costs of delivering so many lunches every day. Here are some pictures of the new feeding area: