Improving Maternal-Infant Health for Mayan Women

It is a time of transition for the Maternal and Child Health team here at Pueblo a Pueblo.  As one mother and her family graduate from the program, we are happy to welcome another expectant mother!

Francisca’s son Pedro just turned five, a milestone which means he has passed through one of the riskiest periods of life for rural Guatemalans. Over the past five years, Francisca has brought Pedro to Rxiin Tnamet, Pueblo a Pueblo's partner clinic here in Santiago Atitlán, for everything from vaccines to multivitamins to anti-parasite medication.  When Pedro got sick with a cold earlier this year, Francisca was able to take him to the clinic in addition to treating him herself with plant-based home remedies.  “If not for the support of this program, I would have encountered problems when I went to the clinic,” said Francisca. “Because of this, I might not even have gone because I did not have the resources to pay.”

Francisca has also received training through the program that has equipped her to be a better advocate for her son’s health and her own.  Francisca said that the units on vaccination and family planning were particularly useful to her.  She will certainly carry this knowledge forward with her as she continues to advocate for Pedro's health and her own.  We wish Francisca and Pedro a very happy graduation!

We are also happy to welcome Ana to the program.  Ana and her husband Juan are a young couple expecting their first child.  Ana is eager to learn how best to care for her first baby.  For Ana, sponsorship through the Maternal and Child Health program is a way to ensure that she will have the knowledge and resources to give her new baby the care he or she needs.

Your support equips mothers like Ana and Francisca to care for their children during the most crucial period of their children's lives.  Thank you for your commitment to empowered mothers and healthy kids!