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



Sep 17, 2012

Juana needs medicine and food!

Juana, a new member of our Elderly Care program, suffers from constant migraines. She was hit by a motorcyle earlier this year, leaving her with lesions on her feet and face. Despite being taken to the health center and receiving care after the accident she still experiences debilitating headaches.  She needs to take her medicine or the pain is excruciating.

Unfortunately, the little money she makes cleaning her neighbors house is not enough to cover the cost of the medicine, which is about $24 a month in addition to her rent, which is about $25 a month. She has four grown children who are unable to offer any support because of their own family costs: one is diabetic and has 14 children of her own, two others with 7 children each, and a son who has fallen out of contact. She separated from her husband about 35 years ago because of his drinking problem. She lives alone in a house without a water filter, chairs, a table or a closet for her clothes.

Like most of the other elderly in our program, Juana has worked her whole life to afford what little she has. After having dedicated her life to raising her children on her own, Juana deserves the same care in her time of need. However, the impoverished state of her family disallows them from returning her years of attention and care. She humbly eats her meals in her bed, the only piece of furniture she owns.

She is most in need of food and medicine. If you would like to help Juana cover the costs of the food and medicine she desperately needs, please go to DonateNow and scroll down.  In the Other $ box, indicate the amount of your donation.  In the Details box, enter A-90 and what you would like your donation to go towards (ex. A-90 medicine, A-90 food). 





Sep 6, 2012

Lucía and Maximiliana urgently need to go to the hospital


This is Lucía (FA 259), the grandmother of one of our sponsored students.  She lives alone in a community about two hours away from Panajachel, but has been staying with her family here since she was beaten and suffered injuries to her head.  Since the incident, Lucía hasn't spoken, so no one really knows exactly what happened.  She was operated on, but is now doing very badly and needs to be treated urgently in Guatemala City. 



This is Maximiliana (A 26), the grandmother of three of our sponsored students.  She has recently fallen twice in her home where she lives alone and is now staying with her daughter.  Now, she is unable to eat, very disoriented, in pain, and unable to get out of bed.  The doctors here have said they are not able to help her anymore and that she urgently needs to go to Guatemala City to receive treatment that will alleviate her suffering.

To send these two women urgently  to Guatemala City in an ambulance and begin receiving treatment, they need $200.  Their families are doing all they can to care for them at home, but are unable to help them with these economic needs.  Please consider helping these two grandmothers who have spent their whole lives caring for their families and now need to be cared for themselves!

If you are able, please go to Donate Now and scroll down. In the Other $ box, indicate the amount of your donation.  In the Details box, enter FA 259 Lucía Medical or A 26 Maximiliana Medical. Thank you!