Physical and Speech Therapy, Medical Care and Nutrition for Vulnerable Children in Guatemala
The Mayan Health Initiative seeks to improve the quality of life of vulnerable Guatemalan children, especially those with special needs, by providing the services and medical care they need to thrive
Where we work
We work in three towns in the department of San Marcos, in Guatemala’s western highlands
This is one of the poorest areas of Guatemala with many families living on just a few dollars a day per person
The population is largely indigenous, with a high percentage speaking Mam (a Mayan language)
There is a lack of access to affordable medical care for most of the population
Children with special needs are especially underserved, with almost no services or resources available to them
We run centers for children who need physical and/or speech therapy
Our therapy centers serve three municipalities of San Marcos
Many of the children who receive therapy have cerebral palsy or other kinds of physical or neurological disabilities
Over 400 children receive weekly physical and/or speech therapy sessions
All the therapists are professionally trained local Guatemalans
Transportation is provided free of charge for the children who would not otherwise be able to attend
The centers are highly valued and supported by their local communities
We provide logistical and financial support for urgent medical needs
Approximately 20% of the children who come to our centers have special medical needs
We connect these children to medical services and resources and ensure that receive the care they require
Children are regularly identified as needing
surgeries, especially orthopedic and cardiac procedures, and follow up care
prosthetic limbs
hearing and vision testing, hearing aids and glasses
neurological or other specialist medical assessments and testing
dental surgery
medications for neurological and muscular issues
wheelchairs and walkers
We work to prevent acute malnutrition in vulnerable children
Guatemala has the 4th highest rate of severe malnutrition in the world
We partner with EDESIA to treat at-risk children with ready-to-use-therapeutic food (RTUF)
We treat approximately 5,000 babies and children every year
Approximately 90% of the children thrive thanks to these therapeutic products