Help David help his Guatemalan Neighbours

My friends,

I am in San Pedro la Laguna in Guatemala. Times are hard for many people here because tourism, which used to be a mainstay of the economy, has fallen off precipitously in the last two years. As well, we are in the midst of a new wave of COVID-19 infections.

My oldest friend in San Pedro was losing her eyesight. Diagnosis: severe diabetes. She needed three or four doctor's appointments to get it under control and now needs to buy the required medications at a cost of $60 for six months. She has no money for any of that.

Another friend came to me with severe stomach pains, occasional violent vomiting and inability to eat much. Diagnosis: stomach ulcers. Nothing that a few doctor's appointments, appropriate medication, and several injections of vitamins couldn't cure - if you have the money. That problem is solved now.

On to the next problem: her house is located next to a rainwater runoff channel. After every heavy rainfall, two feet of water comes coursing down the channel, enters under the front door and floods the place, leaving mud and subsequently, mosquitoes. We are in the rainy season and such flooding would be an almost daily occurrence until October. Here, we had to build a wall of cement blocks 13 meters long by a meter high. It took two weeks and $500, but last night, for the first time, the water didn't get in. There are five kids ranging in age from 4 to 19 living in that house. The older boys have learned how to mix cement and lay blocks.

A man I know has five horses to feed. They have wonderful names like Chocolate, and Cinnamon. In normal times they give rides to tourists, but with few riders and competition from other horse owners, he struggles to keep them in good condition.

There are other problems to solve, like much needed dental care and funds for small business start-ups.

I have been pouring as much support and funds out to my friends and community members in need but my income, while enough for me to live well in Guatemala, is not enough to keep solving these problems. In July I overspent my pension by $800.

That is why I am asking for your help. I would like to carry on with this work.

Would you be willing to donate to my GoFundMe campaign? I will use the funds to continue to help my Guatemalan neighbours in need.

***UPDATE We started with a goal of $3000 and we made it! With those funds I have been able to provide:
Complete dental care for four people
Eyeglasses for one
A Sewing machine for a small business

And that is just a start. I am excited to keep going and help more neighbours. 

Thanks for your consideration.

Warm regards.

David