Update: Enriqueta is in a lot of pain

Update July 20th, 2011

We are very sorry to inform that yesterday Enriqueta passed away.

She was no longer speaking or eating and was suffering and in pain with her sores, muscles, and nerves.  We know she is in peace now.

We thank all the support we received for her and her family during this difficult time.

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Update June 2011

We were able to send Enriqueta to the hospital last week where they treated her ulcer and helped relieve her pain. She is feeling better and is back at home. We would like to provide her with her medications, but we would need some help doing so. The total cost of Enriqueta's medication is $151. To donate any amount, big or small, please go to Donate Now and enter your donation in the "other" box and "A71" in the "details" box. 

We could not continue to do what we do without your support.


Thank you!



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This lovely lady has been going through a lot recently. While her pressure sores and arthritis are now under control, she has developed an ulcer and is in a lot of pain.

She is not eating well and her family says that she constantly complains of stomach pain.  On top of that, she has stopped talking. She was seen by a doctor yesterday, but he said they have to take her to the hospital. The family, however, is very concerned about taking her to the public hospital here in Pana because last time they were there the doctors did not give her proper care. They even refused to give her water to allow her to take her medicine.

It will cost U$50 to take her to a private doctor and buy her medicine. If you want to help Enriqueta and her family, please go to Donate Now and enter your donation in the "other" box and "A71"  in the "Details" box. 

Thank you for your help!

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Original post

Sweet Enriqueta developed pressure sores

Enriqueta is a very sweet 83 year old lady who recently had a stroke. Her left side is now paralyzed and due to her advanced age she won't be able to recover completely. She spends her days lying on her bed, she hardly speaks and needs help even with the most basic things such as turning in bed.

We recently found out she has some pressure sores in her left heel and in her back. Luckily we have a nurse volunteer with us who took a look at Enriqueta and pointed out that her family is taking good care of her and her granddaughters are doing everything they can to keep her as comfortable as possible which is essential for her well being, however the family doesn't have enough money to pay for her medicines and bandages for the wound.

Because she spends her days in bed, she needs to be as comfortable as possible and at the moment she doesn't have a proper bed, a mattress nor the pillows she needs to avoid the wounds touching the bed. As her wounds have to be cleaned very often, a water filter would be of great use as well, because the family has to buy a lot of bottled water and it is expensive for them.

A bed with mattress for her will cost U$170, the water filter costs U$50, her medical supplies will cost around U$30 and her medicine for the arthritis costs U$35 a month. If you would like to help Enriqueta with any of these items, please go to Donate Now and enter your donation in the "other" box, with "A71" and the purpose of your donation in the "Details" box. 

Update: Manuel and Miguel need help!

Update on Manuel and Miguel

These two sweet, elderly brothers are in a difficult situation. They both have disabilities and are in no state to take care of themselves. They are both in our Elderly Care Program, which means they receive one nutritious meal per day. Since they are not able to feed themselves, we always leave the food with their sister. However, we recently discovered that their sister does not give them the food everyday, sometimes only giving them tortillas.

Their niece brought them to the office last week because she is really worried about their health. They are losing weight and are constantly sick due to malnutrition.

Their niece has her own family and needs to work to support her kids, but she would be more than happy to take care of her uncles if we could help her financially.

If you would like to help these two elderly brothers, please go to Donate Now, scroll down to the "other" field, and write A24 and/or A25 in the "Details" box. It will cost U$100 per month to have the niece take care of them full-time, but any amount would be very helpful! If you have any questions, please send an email to dina@mayanfamilies.org.

Thank you!!!
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Original Post

Manuel and Miguel share a little room behind their niece and nephew's house. However, it is an old building and the roof, which is made of tin sheets, leaks when it rains. Now that the rainy season is on it's way, we would like to get the roof replaced so that they can stay dry and warm and so their room will not become damp and moldy, which could easily lead to illness in both of them considering the state of their health. Manuel has an indwelling catheter and the skin around its entry point occasionally gets infected. It is vitally important that he has a dry clean place to live to reduce the risk of infection. Miguel is also at high risk of illness from a damp and moldy room as he can no longer walk and spends all his time in his bed.

Miguel gratefully receiving his donated mattress

To remove the old roof and install a brand new one will cost $130.
If you are able to contribute to this amount please go to the donate now page and enter A24 and/or A25 with the instructions to fix the roof.
To read more about Manuel and Miguel please review older blog posts here.

Thank you for your help in keeping these two men comfortable and healthy!

Sweet Enriqueta developed pressure sores

Enriqueta is a very sweet 83 year old lady who recently had a stroke. Her left side is now paralyzed and due to her advanced age she won't be able to recover completely. She spends her days lying on her bed, she hardly speaks and needs help even with the most basic things such as turning in bed.

We recently found out she has some pressure sores in her left heel and in her back. Luckily we have a nurse volunteer with us who took a look at Enriqueta and pointed out that her family is taking good care of her and her granddaughters are doing everything they can to keep her as comfortable as possible which is essential for her well being, however the family doesn't have enough money to pay for her medicines and bandages for the wound.

Because she spends her days in bed, she needs to be as comfortable as possible and at the moment she doesn't have a proper bed, a mattress nor the pillows she needs to avoid the wounds touching the bed. As her wounds have to be cleaned very often, a water filter would be of great use as well, because the family has to buy a lot of bottled water and it is expensive for them.

A bed with mattress for her will cost U$170, the water filter costs U$50, her medical supplies will cost around U$30 and her medicine for the arthritis costs U$35 a month. If you would like to help Enriqueta with any of these items, please go to Donate Now and enter your donation in the "other" box, with "A71" and the purpose of your donation in the "Details" box. 

Mayan Families can now take Credit Card donations right over the phone!

Good news! Mayan Families can now take Credit Card donations right over the phone!
 And we can take recurring monthly donations this way also!
You may call in a donation to Mayan Families at anytime.
 If we do not answer please leave us a message with your name, telephone number and the best time and day to call you back.
Mayan Families accepts Visa, Master Card or American Express. Cash gifts entitle you to tax benefits in the year of your charitable gift.
If you wish to make a donation over the phone, please call Dwight Poage at 619-550-2608 for assistance.

Mayan Families Elderly Care Program: Medical Emergency: Dolores Suffering Convulsions

Mayan Families Elderly Care Program: Medical Emergency: Dolores Suffering Convulsions: "Dolores is one of the newest additions to our Panajachel elderly care program--she was set to recieve her first meals this week, but unfortu..."

Medical Emergency: Dolores Suffering Convulsions

Dolores is one of the newest additions to our Panajachel elderly care program--she was set to recieve her first meals this week, but unfortunately she hasn't been home to get them, because she has been in the hospital.  Dolores, who is diabetic, was sick last week with what seemed like the flu.  Her daugher, Isabel, brought her to the doctor, who gave her a syrup that he said should make her feel better.  Unfortunately, however, the syrup was sugary, and after two days, Dolores began convulsing, possibly because of high blood sugar.  Isabel rushed her mother to the hospital, where they did little more than give her IV fluids.  After two days in the hospital, with the convulsions continuing, Isabel did not feel that they were caring for her mother, so she broght her home.  Right now, Dolores is in her single room in Pana, and she is suffering from convulsions about every five minutes.  The convulsions themselves last several minutes, and Dolores is spending almost as much time shaking as not.  In between bouts, though, her mind is clear and she is able to speak. 

Dolores clearly needs more attention than the doctors in the public hospital were willing to give her, but Isabel can't afford to take her to a private clinic.  It will cost about $75 to get Dolores to a private doctor and begin treatment.  If you would like to help her get the care that she needs, please go to Donate Now, and enter your donation in the "Other" box.  In the "Details," write "A70 Medical".  Thank you!

Dolores lives in Panajachel with her husband, who also suffers from medical problems.  They live in a single room next to Isabel and her children (ages 22, 20 and 17).  Isabel and her siblings all chip in to pay the modest rent for their parents' room, but even that is a stretch.  Isabel's two sons, Antonio and Alberto, are studying, but both work taking gravel out of the river--a very difficult job, with low and uncertain pay--in order to support the family.  Her daughter Josefina, 17, is studying full time (Antonio and Josefina have scholarships through another organization).  Isabel does what she can to care for her parents, but with the rainy season coming, it is likely that the boys won't be able to mine gravel for a few months, leaving the family without an income.  Any help that you can give them as they try to care for Dolores would be very much appreciated.

Maria Vincenta

Maria Vincenta in her house

Maria Vincenta lives in the village of San Jorge with her daughter and grandson. She is fortunate enough to own her own house but she does not have electricity or running water. She has an onil stove, although she only has an outdoor kitchen to use it in. She has lived for many years with blindness, but she has never known what caused it. Her eyes still get very watery whenever she goes out into the sunshine. She has been unable to work since losing her sight and always needs to be led around by someone if she leaves the house. She is very fortunate to have caring family members who are happy to do this when they can, but she does find it very hard to walk as she is very frail and often feels too weak to do much.
Maria is very fortunate to have a caring and supportive family, however they all struggle greatly to be able to provide her with enough food, and they all often go without. If you would like to ensure Maria gets at least one nutritious meal a day at the San Jorge lunch centre it costs $40 a month. Please go to the donate monthly page and enter A62 in the other program box.
Thank you for your support.