Lots of Moms (as posted by Joel Greer)

Today we had 54 mothers with 98 children and numerous infants. It was a big day and we used every bit of food and still needed to raid our fridge for a few leftovers that we had there. Today we distribute formula and encaperina to all the moms. And this is only half of them. The remaining moms come on Thursday cuz the group got so big we had to split it.

Before lunch all the moms were treated to a demonstration on making some sort of handicraft that they can make themselves and sell. We are always looking for ways to teach mothers self sufficiency as well as other pertinent topics.

While the moms waited, our wonderful volunteer finished interviews and pictures so that we now have a fantastic database of all of our moms and kids with birth dates and other important information. Andrew created a terrific program that allows us to monitor the progress of each family over time and has made it so anyone can update and add new mothers. This will be a vaulable tool here at Casa de Sion.

Everyone lined up for lunch and enjoyed very much the hot nutritious meal our cook, Dominga prepared. It's a miracle we are not all fat with the great cook we have. But then it seems that natural whole foods with no preservatives and sugar don't tend ot make you fat regardless of how good they are.

Dominga is always here and never slows down. She cooks, cleans, serves, directs, delegates, manages programs and just about everything here at Casa de Sion.

Most of the moms and kids sought out some shade in our warm sunny weather here in Guatemala. It was a great day and everyone went away full and satisfied. It was a great day.

Maria Comes Home Posted by Joel Greer

 

I have written recently about Maria who lives in Nueva Victoria, a community far from the main road, high in the mountains. Maria nearly lost her foot due to an infection caused by her inability to walk which left her dragging her foot in the dirt with crutches too small. The infection was so bad that most feared her foot could not be saved. Maria could not walk due to a very common disease in Guatemala, Spinal Bifida, which is due to a lack of certain nutrients during pregnancy. With the highest rate of malnutrition in the western Hemisphere, Guatemala also experiences extremely high rates of many other diseases as a result.

Several people helped out and we were able to get Maria to a hospital in Guatemala City where, through some fortuitous connections, she was able to have surgery and have a membrane placed over the hole in her foot. Our only cost was transportation for the mother back and forth to the hospital and food and medicines. She spent a good month in the hospital. The mother was able to stay part of the time but with seven other kids at home, she had to return regularly to Nueva victoria.

 

Today Maria and her mom were released from the hospital to return home, much to everyone's joy. Maria has progressed well and although she will need considerable therapy, she is whole and all that helped are to  be thanked. We all have great expectations for the future for Maria.   Posted by Joel Geer 06Oct11


We here at Guatemala Children's Project wish to thank all who have supported Maria through this miracle with your prayers and financial help.  This young woman surely would have lost her foot and quite possibly her life without your help.  You are truly her angels.  Thanks!!

Maria needs your help

Hello friends

Please be warned that some the pictures in this post may be graphic due to the medical condition of Maria.

I am writing you today with a sad heart.  It has been brought to our attention that there is an 11 yr old girl in the Village of Nueve Victoria who was born with out being able to use her legs. She has had to crawl everywhere she needs to go.  Because of this she has not experienced what it;s like to run or play.  Some time ago she has injured her foot and the wound will not heal.  It is very infected and she need medical attention very soon.  We are raising funds to help Maria and her mother travel to the capital to receive this medical care.

If you are able to help with any amount we will all be very grateful.  Our goal is for this young woman to live a long healthy life full of love and happiness.  Please help by donating today.  Just click on one of the donate buttons.

Nine new Mamas and 21 new Children From Chipop as posted by Vicki Dalia

Our mama/toddler program is growing like crazy. Way too many starving people in this country and what mama wants to see her little one starve. last Tuesday on distribution day we had 47 mamas and 88 children 1 to 5, 20 0 to 1 and 35 over 5. On Thurs. at the same program just for another group of woman and kids we had 37 mamas and did not count the kids. I added 4 more mamas and kids two days ago. Precious. A 5 year boy with CP who is being raised by his grandma and can't walk or talk , but he sure can do a pretty smile. Another women who is blind, has 5 kids and was pregnant with no. 6.
These nine women and their 21 assorted kids are all from the pueblo of Chipop. it was a difficult decision about whether to take them as they are known as a community of bandits. But they were there and the children's faces are sweet and you can't blame the kids for the parents, so we took them. Hopefully it gave us a measure of protection. From the bottom up , here are the women, some of the kids and the number of children they have.
1. Estela Dias 2 children
2. Ismelda Chavez. 5 children one of which is Wendy who has Juvenile Rheumatory Arthritis. Thanks to a medical student we were able to give her Prednizone to help control this for Wendy.
3. Juana Perez 5 children
4. Rosenda Martin 2 children
5. Vidalia Sicay 1 child
6. Gloria Sancales 1 child
7. Maria Keju 2 children
8. Estela Lopez 1 child
9. Candelaria Martines 2 children

Five new Mothers added to Our Program

Our mama/tot program in Los Robles is very popular. One of the only places that moms can get formula and incaparina for their hungry children and a meal for themselves. Last Monday we had 4 new mamas join. Here are their pictures. Yesterday we had two more join. I do not have pictures of them yet. One of them was a mom with 6 children ranging in age from 3 months to 14 years. The infant who was with her was one of the most ragged looking infants I have seen. Her husband kicked her and the 6 children out of the shack they were living in so he could move in a new girlfriend. Her 14 year old son is working to provide the only money coming in. This family needs your help. Can someone please sponsor them? We also need many more sponsors as we now have 69 [ not including these ] mamas and their kids. My husband who believes in a budget says no more until we have sponsors. I, who have to look in their hungry eyes, say they can join. Not good for my marriage. Please think about committing to $20 a month to help one mama and her family. Ask your relatives to help. You will receive a picture and a short bio. Another family that was at the program yesterday Joel wrote about and did a blog on when he was here. They walk for 2 hours to come to the program. They have 3 month old twin boys, the cutest 2 year old girl, a 4 year old, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 14 years old. The dad was hurt in an accident and can not work long hours doing physical labor. He grows some corn and beans to feed his family. They have no school supplies for the 5 in 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 grade. One of the twins is severely malnourished. I paid their transport for them to come to my house yesterday to go over in detail what they were eating. The tiny one was only getting 3 ounces a day of nourishment. I fed him a 4 oz. bottle and he drank the whole thing. I sent them home with formula, bottles, newborn kits and tuna fish for the older children. They were so grateful. They desperately need a family sponsor. And I need advice from you medical people on what to feed the twins to put weight on them.
Lots of suffering down here and lots of work.  Please give anything you can today.  Your help is needed!

DONATE NOW!


Vicki Dalia
Safe Homes for Children

The Eyes of Hunger

As I get ready to return to Guatemala, these are some of the children I will see and relate to. I will actually look in their eyes, not just see them from these pictures. They are real people suffering the real pain of not enough to eat. I need your help to help them. Please look in their eyes and see if they are telling you to help. I know when I see them again, that is what they will say to me.

To help you can push the donate button or click here to send send a check. 100% goes to these and other children. We still need more sponsors for our mama/tot program. $20 a month for a year feeds and gives supplements to one mama and her infant and toddler children.

Vicki Dalia
Safe Homes for Children
01/10/11