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At the beginning of 2019, I spent 5 weeks learning Spanish and living with a local family in San Pedro, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala. They have hosted students from all over the World for over a decade but my experience with them felt very personal. From playing card games with their two youngest sons as we awaited dinner to bringing my host sister to her very first stadium soccer game. I still dream about my host mother, Rosa's cooking every now and then. It was an unforgettable experience that I will always hold near my heart.
My host brother, Antonio reached out to me a few days ago explaining that Jesus, my host father was having severe health problems. A tumour was found in his neck and his lungs are filled with liquid. It causes him severe pain and extreme difficulty to eat and breath.
Jesus is undergoing lung treatment today, October 23rd. It will cost 3000 quetzals, just over $500 CAD but that's just the start. On November 4th, they hope to pay for the recommended operation to remove the tumour. It was cost approximately 9000 quetzals which is roughly $1500 CAD.
The family sells snacks and meals out of the little room they built off of their kitchen. The kids help when they are not at school. I can still picture the two youngest boys rolling their eyes when their mom shouted out "la tienda" meaning "the store", when someone walked in to buy something and all they wanted to do was play soccer or mess around with the cats. Haha! Rosa dreams of one day having her own restaurant but for now, they financially depend on the sales from their little store and the money they receive for providing meals and bedrooms to international students. Although money doesn't come easily anywhere, it is especially difficult in Guatemala.
I can't help but feel extremely priveledged to have been born and raised in Canada. My very own dad had a tumour in his abdomen two years ago but his treatment was covered by our healthcare system. Thankfully, he is doing well but I can't imagine having had to come up with the money to save his life. That being said, my host brother, Antonio and I are hopping to raise the necessary funds to get Jesus the treatment he needs.
The costs of the treatment explained total approximately $2000 CAD. We are keeping in mind that there will be conversion fees from Canadian dollars to Guatemalan quetzals as well as costs associated to transfer the money to their Guatemalan bank.
Please consider donating what you can.
Thank you for your time!
My host brother, Antonio reached out to me a few days ago explaining that Jesus, my host father was having severe health problems. A tumour was found in his neck and his lungs are filled with liquid. It causes him severe pain and extreme difficulty to eat and breath.
Jesus is undergoing lung treatment today, October 23rd. It will cost 3000 quetzals, just over $500 CAD but that's just the start. On November 4th, they hope to pay for the recommended operation to remove the tumour. It was cost approximately 9000 quetzals which is roughly $1500 CAD.
The family sells snacks and meals out of the little room they built off of their kitchen. The kids help when they are not at school. I can still picture the two youngest boys rolling their eyes when their mom shouted out "la tienda" meaning "the store", when someone walked in to buy something and all they wanted to do was play soccer or mess around with the cats. Haha! Rosa dreams of one day having her own restaurant but for now, they financially depend on the sales from their little store and the money they receive for providing meals and bedrooms to international students. Although money doesn't come easily anywhere, it is especially difficult in Guatemala.
I can't help but feel extremely priveledged to have been born and raised in Canada. My very own dad had a tumour in his abdomen two years ago but his treatment was covered by our healthcare system. Thankfully, he is doing well but I can't imagine having had to come up with the money to save his life. That being said, my host brother, Antonio and I are hopping to raise the necessary funds to get Jesus the treatment he needs.
The costs of the treatment explained total approximately $2000 CAD. We are keeping in mind that there will be conversion fees from Canadian dollars to Guatemalan quetzals as well as costs associated to transfer the money to their Guatemalan bank.
Please consider donating what you can.
Thank you for your time!