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



Oct 19, 2013

New Blog posts are now located on our web site!

Hi everyone,
We have switched all of our Blogs over to our Mayan Families New Web Site. Please visit this link from now on to enjoy or new Blog posts!
https://mayanfamilies.org/blogs

Oct 17, 2013

Sad News About Our Dear Anciano Santiago (A-75)



This morning we were notified that one of our dear ancianos, Santiago (A-75) was not well. We sent our doctor to his house and Santiago’s lungs were full of liquid. Dr. Louis tried to give Santiago some medicine but he was not able to swallow the medicine well.  Thirty minutes ago a member of Santiago’s family came running to Mayan Families because they were concerned that Santiago was no longer breathing. I accompanied a doctor to the house to check on Santiago, and unfortunately Santiago was no longer breathing and had passed away in his bed just a few minutes prior. Santiago’s wife began to sob as the other family members began to heat up water in order to bathe Santiago one last time. Not only is the family devastated about losing their dear Santiago, but they are also concerned because they do not have enough money for corn to eat, much less enough money to cover the costs of a casket and burial. Santiago had no children and his wife only makes a small amount of money selling vegetables in the market. We are looking for a donation of $250 to help out Santiago’s family so that they can buy him a casket and cover the expenses of giving him a proper burial. 

If you would like to help out with the cost of Santiago's casket and burial please click here and under General donations, please enter "A-75" and "A-75 casket and burial" in the Notes section.