Mayan Elderly Couple need your Support

My name is Michelle and I was born and raised in Mexico City, lived in the USA and am now based in Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, close to Cancun. 

For Westerners, this area is paradise and has provided community, freedom and joy. For local Mayan indigenous communities, the cycle of generational poverty has worsened resulting in high levels of alcoholism, family dysfunction and hopelessness. I am grateful that I have been trusted to  support with emotional work, family therapy and financially since moving here in 2020. They are big teachers of mine. 

Mr. Cresenciado Pool and Mrs. Loida have been married for over 50 years and have 11 children. He has been a good father and husband. He recently suffered a stroke and can no longer function. The hospital in Merida sent them home to fend for themselves and the family is distraught. He needs 24-hour care, wears diapers and is too heavy for his petite wife to manage. They live in deplorable conditions with no running water in the lost village of Sucopo, 4 hours away from Merida.

Unfathomably, all of their children and grandchildren have remained stuck in deep financial distress. The 5 sons are alcoholics and have refused to help. The 6 daughters are in survival mode themselves and live far away, working as domestic employees. They are taking turns leaving their own families and work to support but this is not sustainable. The heat is unbearable and Mrs. Loida is also unwell. The basic expenses of diapers, medication, food and the daughters’ transportation are too much for them with no end in sight. Mr. Pool only has a hammock to sleep on (as many Mayans do). A bed is needed asap. They also need other adaptive furniture to support his needs. 

I strongly believe in reciprocity and feel deeply saddened to witness the pain and suffering of the Mayans, who have left humanity with a majestic cultural heritage. 

I am resorting to the consciousness of the collective to provide some level of decency for this Mayan elderly couple, who have struggled their entire lives. They deserve better.

Our country lacks the assistance structures to help them and has abandoned them.

Thank you for reading this. I hope that it touched your heart and that you contribute to their cause. ANY donation is welcome and will make a difference. Feel free to connect with me. You can also speak directly with their caring daughter, Zulmy, a mother of 2 young children, who tearfully brought their plight to my attention. 

All the best,

Michelle