A prison of the body and the bed

To be old in this place is to have lost your last means of independence: the body which is able to work.

There are many whose bodies have aged past a limit barely withstood by the young and able in a country whose conditions do not allow any but the fittest to survive.

They often cannot even walk the short distance to the comedor, the dining room where we host lunch. Neighbor kids bring them the food. The majority, made silent by the walls by which they're kept, moan similar complaints when we visit: of their aching bones, of their aching body, of the eyes that do not see and the feet which do not walk. 

It seems they lie forgotten on their beds, which often host petates, straw mats, in place of mattresses. Their children try their best, but often they must choose between providing for their parents or their kids, since they themselves are poor.

The next three stories will feature some of the bedridden, who are much in need of basic provisions: food, mattresses, shoes, a water filter, a window-- and most urgently, sponsorship to eat each day. Read the stories; if you would like to make a donation of any of the items, please go to www.mayanfamilies.org/donatenow, and write the A- # and the item you would like to donate in the Other box. Prices for item donations can be found on this page.

If you would like to sponsor an elderly person to eat each day in our Feeding program, which provides a basic and nutritious lunch to those unable to do much, even cook, for themselves-- you can write the A- # of someone you know you would like to sponsor (biographies on the right side of the page). We will happily introduce you to more of our unsponsored program participants in the upcoming weeks. 

Thank you for your support! Further questions can be directed to familyaid@mayanfamilies.org.