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



Jun 20, 2013

Juana Santos




























(A-17) Status: Not Sponsored
Needs: water filter, meal sponsorship, diabetes medicines
To help, click here. To sponsor Maria for $35 a month, click here.
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.  

In the two beds that fill the small room, seven sleep. Juana lives with her daughter and son-in-law, five children and baby. The two eldest boys, who make eight in the family, work driving taxi to support the rest. Juana's son-in-law works in construction, but this is not fixed work. There are often days he does not work.

Juana's daughter was a well-respected healer in the community until several years ago an accident impaired her walking. She doesn't have the strength to climb mountains or go long distances any longer. Because she worked with the poorest of the poor, she never used her gift for income. Rather, people would pay her with food or handmade goods.

About a year ago, Juana was diagnosed diabetic, and comes to Mayan Families diabetes club when there are resources like insulin and education available. While Juana receives something like Social Security per month, which she is eligible on account of her deceased spouse, this stipend is not enough to cover all the expenses incurred from all of those in the house.

If you would like to help Juana and her family, please visit the links below the photo. Thank you!

No comments:

Post a Comment