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



Dec 4, 2012

Cecilia Bocel Cun






























(A-46) Status: Not Sponsored
Needs: food, blankets
UPDATE Dec 21, 2012:  Cecila recieved the gift of a blanket!
For more stories and photos of the ancianos in the Feeding Program, please consider purchasing a book compiled of our participants. All profits go to the Elderly. You can preview the book here.  

All of the sudden, Cecilia’s eyes clouded up and she went blind.
Since her sister died half a century ago, Cecilia has been surrogate to five grandkids.
They squeeze around her on the tiny bed, where sitting across from her on the other wall their knees nearly intertwine. 
When she could see, she and many other women in San Jorge about her age went washing onions for less than 25 cents a day. 
Now that they are older, they find themselves widowed, in crumbling houses, often alone and without a way to work or feed themselves.
Her grandkids help their mother make beaded jewelry to sell, as their father can't work. He spent eight months in bed after suffering a stroke and anemia, accumulating debts for his treatments. They still owe $2400 US, and pay about $30 monthly in installments. 
Because of this they often go without food. A grandchild brings home the lunch from the Program, and it is divided among the family. 



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