Ramos Cumes Gonzalez

(A-8) Status: Sponsored for 1 year as of June 23, 2013!
Needs: water filter
UPDATE: September 12, 2012: Ramos received a new mattress!

UPDATE: September 12, 2013: Ramos was able to go see an opthalamologist for various evaluations to address his poor vision in both eyes. The doctor diagnosed Ramos  with an infection as well as an abnormal growth that is causing inflammation. Ramos also has very advanced cataracts but the doctor  does not recommend surgery because of his age and the risk that the surgery might not help and could even worsen his vision. The doctor recommended that Ramos wear sunglasses to protect his eyes from the sun, and also gave him some lubricating eye drops, as well as eye drops to address the infection. He also recommended that Ramos rinse his eyes each night with baby shampoo.

To donate one-time to his needs, 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.  


Ramos sits on the curbside cradling his cane with one hand and holding out a small pan with his other. He looks at the street vacantly, as he cannot see well with his cataracts. He does not shake the pan with change in it, nor wear a sign stating his case. He sits alone, waiting, saying nothing and expecting little so that he might walk the long road up the mountain where he lives, where he might have something to eat that night.

Ramos, like many of the elderly here, walks on legs barely thicker than his bones. He walks a distance most would choose to drive, though the state of his body shouldn’t allow this. Many of our elderly, unable to work in their old age or with debilitated bodies-- without retirement funds, pensions or savings-- must resort to the least dignified of all professions when they are hungry: begging in the street. 

Where once Mayan elders were revered and cared for by their families and communities, today they must rely on the kindness of strangers to sustain themselves. Most of their families can barely provide for their own, and the elderly get pushed to the side, assumed to have lived out the need to be cared for. There is no work they can do, no nursing home where they might live to ensure that they’ll eat everyday, or have access to the medical attention they need, or have the assurance of a community that cares for them. 

As keepers of Mayan heritage, languages and history, the elders deserve more than a hot meal five days a week. They deserve the dignity and respect of those who have lived working to maintain Mayan identity through centuries of colonial and government order to repress it. Where no public program exists for them, Mayan Families Elderly Care program would like to continue providing food for those unable to work for it, or, often, walk for it.

Donations of any size provide food, medical care, or other necessities that cant be bought with dimes in a pan. Ramos is only one of many examples of a lifelong cycle of poverty in a country who turns a blind eye to those who built it.

If you would like to help in any way, visit www.mayanfamilies.org/donatenow and write "Elderly Care-- (food, general etc.)'' in the comment box.

Mayan Families Holiday Tamale Food Basket 2012!

Check out the Mayan Families Holiday Tamale Food Basket 2012 newsletter
Please read, post, Like and Share anywhere you can think of! Thank you, Feliz Navidad and Happy Holidays!

Support the Diabetes Club at Mayan Families

In Guatemala, diabetes has become a major issue in recent years as processed foods, infrequent exercise, and generally poor economic and social conditions contribute to its increasing prevalence. In addition, limited access to medical care or even knowledge about symptoms to look for accounts for many undiagnosed cases of the disease.

Gone untreated, diabetes can lead to diabetic neuropathy-- serious nerve damage that results in numbness and infection. In extreme cases, the consequence may be the amputation of a limb. Foregoing treatment may also lead to blindness, heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease, which in turn can cause an ugly death.

Many victims in Guatemala are unaware that they have it. Those who are aware often cannot afford treatment. The Diabetes Club supports 35 participants once a month at Mayan Families, offering counseling and minimal education on foods and drinks that would help them to control their illness. Participants recieve a check-up, a snack, educational talks and much-needed companionship with those suffering the same illness.

Without the money to buy healthy foods, many rely on starchy, sugary foods to sustain them: tortillas, potatoes, or bread. Having little financial means to control their diet adds insult to injury, as suffering the effects of back-breaking work or standing all day in smoke-filled kitchens worsens their symptoms. The Diabetes Club cannot afford to provide insulin to our participants, nor other basic medical necessities a patient may need, such as a glucometer or oral hypoglycemics.

Eventually, Mayan Families would like to provide patients with the access to the care they deserve, and the education necessary to help them control their diabetes, specifically in the extreme living conditions particular to the highlands of Guatemala. For now, our participants benefit from the community and care offered by the Diabetes Club.

Juana needs medicine and food!

Juana, a new member of our Elderly Care program, suffers from constant migraines. She was hit by a motorcyle earlier this year, leaving her with lesions on her feet and face. Despite being taken to the health center and receiving care after the accident she still experiences debilitating headaches.  She needs to take her medicine or the pain is excruciating.

Unfortunately, the little money she makes cleaning her neighbors house is not enough to cover the cost of the medicine, which is about $24 a month in addition to her rent, which is about $25 a month. She has four grown children who are unable to offer any support because of their own family costs: one is diabetic and has 14 children of her own, two others with 7 children each, and a son who has fallen out of contact. She separated from her husband about 35 years ago because of his drinking problem. She lives alone in a house without a water filter, chairs, a table or a closet for her clothes.

Like most of the other elderly in our program, Juana has worked her whole life to afford what little she has. After having dedicated her life to raising her children on her own, Juana deserves the same care in her time of need. However, the impoverished state of her family disallows them from returning her years of attention and care. She humbly eats her meals in her bed, the only piece of furniture she owns.

She is most in need of food and medicine. If you would like to help Juana cover the costs of the food and medicine she desperately needs, please go to DonateNow and scroll down.  In the Other $ box, indicate the amount of your donation.  In the Details box, enter A-90 and what you would like your donation to go towards (ex. A-90 medicine, A-90 food). 

Lucía and Maximiliana urgently need to go to the hospital

This is Lucía (FA 259), the grandmother of one of our sponsored students.  She lives alone in a community about two hours away from Panajachel, but has been staying with her family here since she was beaten and suffered injuries to her head.  Since the incident, Lucía hasn't spoken, so no one really knows exactly what happened.  She was operated on, but is now doing very badly and needs to be treated urgently in Guatemala City. 



This is Maximiliana (A 26), the grandmother of three of our sponsored students.  She has recently fallen twice in her home where she lives alone and is now staying with her daughter.  Now, she is unable to eat, very disoriented, in pain, and unable to get out of bed.  The doctors here have said they are not able to help her anymore and that she urgently needs to go to Guatemala City to receive treatment that will alleviate her suffering.

To send these two women urgently  to Guatemala City in an ambulance and begin receiving treatment, they need $200.  Their families are doing all they can to care for them at home, but are unable to help them with these economic needs.  Please consider helping these two grandmothers who have spent their whole lives caring for their families and now need to be cared for themselves!

If you are able, please go to Donate Now and scroll down. In the Other $ box, indicate the amount of your donation.  In the Details box, enter FA 259 Lucía Medical or A 26 Maximiliana Medical. Thank you!

Cayetana needs help with her heart and kidneys!

Cayetana is a lady in our Elderly Care Program. She has lately been suffering from swelling in her feet. Recently, she was sent to visit the doctor, who told her that the swelling is due to her heart becoming weaker.

Her heart is no longer beating strong enough. This is causing her to have bad circulation. Furthermore, her kidneys are no longer filtering her blood adequately, leaving behind a lot of waste that is accumulating in her extremities, resulting in swelling. This situation is very uncomfortable for Cayetana.

The doctor gave her an injection to help with the inflammation and the pain. However, it will not relieve the actual problem. Cayetana does not have enough money for treatment.

To donate to help Cayetana, please go to Donate Now and scroll down.  In the Other $ box, enter the amount of your donation.  In the Details box, enter A-60 Cayetana Medical.  Every little bit will help us to save Cayetana's life!  Thank you!

Miguel needs help with food and medication!

Don Miguel is a 55 year-old man in our diabetes club. He lives in a house that he owns with his four children, ages 32 to 22, two son-in-laws, and five grandchildren. He helps support his family, but his health problems are starting to get in the way.

For the past six years he has suffered from epilepsy. He takes medication whenever he has a seizure. His last seizure was three weeks ago, when he had to be hospitalized in order to control the problem.

He also has had diabetes for the last ten years.The illness is mostly stable and he gets medical assistance whenever he can afford it. Unfortunately, Miguel cannot afford treatment right now. The disease causes him to be weak, dizzy, and have swollen hands.

The family would really appreciate any assistance that you could give for food, medication, and a walking stick. At the moment, Miguel cannot perform his job well, hindering his ability to feed his eleven family members.

To donate to help Miguel, please go to Donate Now and scroll down.  In the Other $ box, enter the amount of your donation.  In the Details box, enter D-4 Miguel Medical or D-4 Miguel Food.  Every little bit will help us to keep Miguel's family healthy!  Thank you!