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Supporting the Children Left Behind: The Guatemala Six Update

March 2011

Dear Friends,

After a week’s delay because of bad weather and cancelled flights, I finally made it to Guatemala last month and spent a wonderful five days with the Guatemala 6 children, our two foster mothers (Marta and Ruth) who also are mother and daughter, and our foster care coordinator Betty Morales. For those of you new to this project, Betty Morales had been director of Hogar Vida Nueva, and Marta and Ruth had been nannies in the orphanage before it closed about three years ago.

 For Anayely, Jackeline and Eddie, I was struck with what happy, well adjusted and wonderful children they are. Marta and Ruth have clearly made them a part of their extended family. These children do not see themselves as orphans.

However, in spite of the richness of love in Marta and Ruth’s extended family, they are very poor and both foster homes are extremely cramped. Like many in rural Guatemala, they are without indoor plumbing and children must share a bed. The family has also faced medical challenges: Marta has diabetes and recently had to have part of a finger removed as a result.

In addition to providing continued monthly support, our next goal is to look at options for renovating and expanding one of the homes so that both Marta’s and Ruth’s families can live together more comfortably. The three children, Eddie, Jackeline and Anayely, would be housed under one roof and can enjoy the benefits of extended family that is typical of Guatemalan life. We are gathering more info about this project and looking into the best options for making this happen.

 Jackeline, who is now in second grade, loves people, relates well to her peers and to adults, and has many friends at school. She likes to do her homework, jump rope, and play ball games. She is a loveable little girl with tremendous charm and personality. Jackeline lives in Marta’s home with Anayely.

 Anayely, a warm, engaging and lovely girl, began third grade at the end of January. She and Jackeline attend the same school which is in walking distance of Marta’s house. She likes school, has friends there and does very well academically.  

 Eddie is a warm, funny, charming boy with a great sense of fun and adventure.  He just began first grade at the end of January. He loves working and playing on Ruth’s computer and enjoys baseball. (I promised him a Red Sox hat at my next visit.) Lately he has had some medical problems and is currently being treated for a serious bronchial condition. During his recent medical visits it was determined that he has anemia, and his asthma continues to be monitored. He is doing well at school, although Ruth lovingly shared that sometimes Eddie talks too much with his friends during class, a good problem from my perspective because it shows that he is overcoming his shyness and gaining confidence.

 For Blanca and her daughters, I was struck with the positive changes Blanca has made for herself and her children since my last visit one year ago. These three children—sisters Laura, Yuri and baby Sonia—are now spending more time with their mother, who has made enormous strides toward building a more stable life for her family. I was simply amazed at her transformation; she looked healthy and alert and was very engaging. I was so impressed to see her progress and was especially happy to learn that she has returned to school. I spoke with her at great length with Betty acting as translator and told Blanca how proud I was of her getting Laura into school, attending school herself, and trying her best to be a good parent for her daughters. 

 Clearly, the support of our program has made a huge difference for Blanca. She still depends on Ruth for respite care and on Marta, Ruth and Betty for parenting support and guidance. We are helping her with food and medical care for the children and with school supplies for herself and Laura. We want her to be the best parent she can be for her daughters, and for all three children to receive an education.

 Laura began preschool the end of January. Although still very shy and wants to be close to her mother at all times, she did interact and engage with me. This is a huge step forward from last year’s visit. Laura read me the numbers from 1-12 in a book that I gave her and was so proud as she read each number off. 

 Yury was shy during my visit, but developmentally has advanced tremendously from last year. Although she does still have some delays and is still thin despite improved eating habits, she looks and is healthier. Now that Laura is in school, Yury is more engaging with people and seems more alert and attentive.

I did not get a chance to see the baby because she was home with Blanca’s mother.

On one of my last days there,  I took Marta, Ruth, Anayely, Jackeline and Eddie to the zoo in Guatemala City. The children had a wonderful time and were very interested in all of the animals. We had lunch at the zoo and then each child picked out a small souvenir as a reminder. It was so clear to me that these children feel part of Marta and Ruth’s family, and that they are very attached to their foster families and one another. Ruth and Marta love these children and are taking very good care of them in spite of their poverty.

As a donor to this program, you have saved the lives of these children. If not for the support your donations are providing Eddie, Anayely, and Jackeline would be living in a public facility with barbed wire fences, no education and no hope for a future. Also, Blanca would be continuing to struggle with the issues that impact her ability to be a “good” parent and the consequences for her children would be unimaginable. It’s clear to me that your support has helped Blanca prioritize  her children and helped her understand the importance of education for herself and them in order to build a different life for her family than the one she has known 

I hope this letter gives you a sense of the enormous strides these children have made. It is a testament to the power of love and family.

With many thanks and warmest regards,

 

Stephanie Mitchell

Chief Executive Officer

How to donate

MAPS PayPal
Mail your check	MAPS 100 Brickhill Ave. South Portland, ME 04106 Designate "Guatemala Six" on the memo line
Questions	Contact Meghan O'Brien familycircles@maps-worldwide.org phone (207) 619-8305

Thank You!