Our volunteer medical team with Faith in Practice is working in the Guatemala Highlands this week. The community here is predominantly Mayan and markedly underserved. We have the fortune of partnering with Xela-Aid, an NGO founded in the ’80s with the goal of empowering the local people, with an emphasis on its women and children. They do amazing work.
One of my favorite patients today was Jania, a spirited and inquisitive 2-year-old. She was brought by her young, single mother, who had concerns about Jania’s low weight (she is only 17 lbs at 2 years of age). After some conversation, her mother acknowledged the bigger problem: Jania was also quite delayed in her speech and motor development. Born at home at 7 months gestation and 3 pounds weight with only a traditional birth attendant to help, Jania struggled in her first 2 weeks. When her mother noted her blue lips over a few days, she finally brought her to the hospital. One can only imagine the barriers—cultural, financial, and logistical—that she had to overcome to get there. Jania remained hospitalized for the next 6 weeks. The developmental problems that Jania is now experiencing are most likely related to these struggles and will probably have lifelong consequences.
Compounding these challenges, Jania’s early birth and medical issues created conflict between her mother and father. Her father has since abandoned the family, leaving her mother with an even greater share of the burden of responsibility for her special needs child.
My interpreter and I were able to listen, empathize, and offer services and hope to her mother. I appreciate the opportunity that Faith in Practice has given me to share my skills and resources with families like Jania’s. The obvious love between mother and child was lovely to witness and warmed my heart.
Our team of 12 American and 12 Guatemalan staff and volunteers have three more days of clinics to complete. With the support of all of you—our friends, family, and donor-partners—we have the privilege of bringing this life-changing medical care to Guatemala. As we touch the lives of these patients, their resilience, kindness, and love inspire us in return. Our shared humanity is strong.
With gratitude,
Sarah
