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 19, 2013

Maria Margarita





























(A-103) Status: Not Sponsored
Needs: meal sponsorship, medical assistance, water filter, 2 full mattresses, Onil stove
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.  

Her husband sells flowers, but since he was diagnosed diabetic a year ago, and since Maria became extremely ill some months ago, the little made from flower sales has failed to keep them healthy.

Maria has been cooking over an open fire all her life; she says this is why she has trouble talking. A few months ago, after going to the doctor for chest pains, she was found to have a serious heart condition and needed open-heart surgery. However, the $1,116 operation, as well as the hundreds of dollars otherwise incurred from medical tests and transportation to the Capital's hospital, was too large a cost for the family.

Instead, she is taking an array of pills to help with her heart.

Her son, who is a builder's assistant, is trying to help his parents with these costs, but his salary barely covers the expenses of his own home.

The house fits two beds without mattresses, shared by the elderly couple and one of their grandchildren. They must carry their water from the community pila, and do not have a place to wash themselves, their dishes or clothing.

If you would like to help Maria with the costs of her medicine, or support her in the meal program, please visit the links provided under the photo. Thank you for your support!

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