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

We work in three municipalities within 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 most speaking a Mayan language in the home
Affordable medical care is inaccessible for many families, and no services are available for children with special needs

We serve children with cerebral palsy and 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
Free transportation is provided free for children from outlying areas

Approximately 20% of the children who come to our centers for therapy also have special medical needs
We connect them to appropriate services and resources and ensure that receive the care they require
Children are regularly identified as needing
- surgeries, especially orthopedic and cardiac procedures
- prosthetic limbs
- hearing and vision testing, hearing aids and glasses
- neurological or other specialist medical assessments and testing
- dental surgery under anesthesia
- medications for neurological and muscular issues
- wheelchairs and walkers

Guatemala has the 4th highest rate of severe malnutrition in the world
We partner with EDESIA, a US NGO that manufactures ready-to-use-therapeutic food
We treat over 5,000 babies and children a year with EDESIA’s donated products
Approximately 90% of these children recover and thrive