Guatemala Family Assist
Donation protected
We are telling this story of our friend in Guatemala in the event any of you can help during these difficult and frightening times. No amount is too small.
Magdalena is 28 years old and had a cancer operation in January. Her treatments are currently on hold due to the virus. She is Mayan, this is her first language but she teaches Spanish to tourists in a village on Lake Atitlán in Guatemala. Magdalena was my teacher for a month last year. I believe I am her only failure. Her husband Antonio is a tour guide. Since the pandemic, they have had no work and realistically speaking, the near future doesn’t hold much hope either. They have 2 young children under 10, Marlene, who helped me with my reading after school and Panchito (Little Pancho). I think their extended families have as little as they have. We used to buy bread from Magdalena’s 10 year old sister when she worked in the family bakery after school. Chayita would be there till 9 PM or later, doing her homework in between serving and when we asked once what time the shop closed, she answered “When the bread is gone!”
From what I understand there is little or no help from the Guatemalan government. It seems the Mayan community is always, even in the best of times, last on the list.
We have been trying to help them for the past while, but things are going from bad to worse by the day. They are no longer able to afford the basic necessities not to mention Magdalena's medications.
I know the present situation is hard for us all but we can at least put food on the table. Not everyone is so lucky. If you can afford a donation, no matter how small, you will never begin to imagine what a difference it will make to this family.
Thank you all and please stay safe,
Magdalena is 28 years old and had a cancer operation in January. Her treatments are currently on hold due to the virus. She is Mayan, this is her first language but she teaches Spanish to tourists in a village on Lake Atitlán in Guatemala. Magdalena was my teacher for a month last year. I believe I am her only failure. Her husband Antonio is a tour guide. Since the pandemic, they have had no work and realistically speaking, the near future doesn’t hold much hope either. They have 2 young children under 10, Marlene, who helped me with my reading after school and Panchito (Little Pancho). I think their extended families have as little as they have. We used to buy bread from Magdalena’s 10 year old sister when she worked in the family bakery after school. Chayita would be there till 9 PM or later, doing her homework in between serving and when we asked once what time the shop closed, she answered “When the bread is gone!”
From what I understand there is little or no help from the Guatemalan government. It seems the Mayan community is always, even in the best of times, last on the list.
We have been trying to help them for the past while, but things are going from bad to worse by the day. They are no longer able to afford the basic necessities not to mention Magdalena's medications.
I know the present situation is hard for us all but we can at least put food on the table. Not everyone is so lucky. If you can afford a donation, no matter how small, you will never begin to imagine what a difference it will make to this family.
Thank you all and please stay safe,
Organizer
Francis OConnor
Organizer
Bartow, FL
