Provide Medical Care to Maya Women Artisans

Magdalena is an artisan who has always lived with her mother Rosario, who is also an artisan and both have been working with Cojolya for more than 15 years.

Magdalena's mother taught her to weave since she was a child, and weaving became her main job and main source of income. Since the death of her father, the two of them (mother and daughter) live alone and every day they work at weaving to earn the money they need to support themselves.

A few months ago, Magdalena began to feel severe pain in her back and abdomen, which prevented her from continuing to work, and she began to take traditional and common medications purchased at a pharmacy in the community. Her health condition was quite delicate and critical, and she needed support. Cojolya approached Magdalena to support her in attending medical consultations at Hospitalito Atitlán. The medical results were not so encouraging for her and at the same time for her mother, it is very difficult to buy so many medicines due to the high costs.

With the support provided by our social program "Atención médica a mujeres artesanas Mayas” (Medical care to Mayan Artisan Women) Magdalena had the support and opportunity to attend medical consultations and receive medical care at the Hospital and also to buy part of her medicines.

Currently she has improved her health and has returned to work in weaving in a normal way to earn money to feed the house and buy medicines to continue improving her health.

Thanks to the program "Atención médica a mujeres artesanas Mayas” (Medical care to Mayan Artisan Women) Magdalena and more women artisans are having the opportunity to have support for medical care and thus enjoy good health.

Elías is a 7 year-old boy, this is his first year participating in our social program. Cojolyá is supporting Elías and his three brothers through their personal development. Sadly, their mother died this year, and they needed extra support. Elías is the youngest of four siblings. He graduated from preschool this year. His siblings are very happy and proud of their little brother. His brothers are also studying; the oldest, Misael, finished 7th grade.

Just like Elías celebrated this success, in spite of the school closings from the pandemic, the other children participating in the social program were successful in concluding the 2021 school year. Dulce, who also joined the program this year had this to say: “I am very thankful to Cojolya for providing me with tutoring, and also school supplies I needed during this year. I was the best student in my class! I am very excited because next year I will be in 8th grade”. Dulce is very happy to be part of this program, because her mother is not able to pay her school costs. She lives with her brother and mother, Concepción, who is a weaver in Cojolya, and is a very hardworking woman.

Cojolya’s objective is to support the children and youth that want to go to school and improve their life, but their families aren’t able to provide this opportunity. Cojolyá, with support from the donors, is doing everything it can to support these children to achieve their dreams.