Real Change: Mayan Families Charity Profile

As the name suggests, Mayan Families is an organization helping out impoverished Mayan families living in rural Guatemala. Guatemala has long been known as one of the most dangerous countries to live in (with the exception of war zones). Not only is this country extremely poor and struggling, this area is also vulnerable to natural disasters known to devastate families by wiping out their homes, sources of employment and their crops (and that’s the one’s lucky enough to not lose their lives). Sixty percent of the indigenous population is illiterate because of the need to prioritize income over education for most children. Roughly half of the children are extremely malnourished, and up to 3 million lack access to safe and clean drinking water. 

Mayan Families is an organization that strives to aid the poor of Guatemala with education, medical, housing and feeding services. The organization started with "just one student;" their first fundraising initiative was used to allow local students a chance to go to school. This charitable, non-profit foundation was established by Sharon Smart-Poage, Dwight Poage and Patti Mort while they were living in Guatemala. Living in rural areas made them realize the need for aid for the poor families living there. What started out as fundraising to help students attend school has flourished into an organization whose slogan is "Educate. Feed. Shelter. Heal." This simple slogan could not be more indicative of the amazing work they are doing.

Mayan Families helps the poor families living in rural areas by providing numerous programs that provide them with better education options, access to health care, food and clean water, and elder care. This organization’s staff is made up of about eighty percent natives from Guatemala in the hopes of gaining a better understanding of their needs and to provide the best care and resources. 

The educational services include sponsorships to send children to school (both primary and secondary school) and vocational schools for adults. Help with access to health care includes the Charlie Gomez Medical Clinic, reproductive health services (teaching workshops about birth control and STD prevention) and the "well mother, well baby" program that helps prevent childhood malnourishment in children by getting to them in "their first 1,000 days" to help prevent cognitive impairment from malnutrition. Preschool nutrition centers (aimed at preventing malnourishment in children developing their cognitive skills), a community garden that teaches women about gardening and basic nutrition and emergency food and water filters sent to families in crisis make up the food service side of the operation. Elder care includes food and medical services to elders who have been abandoned or neglected. They also provide "holiday food baskets" so that nobody will have to go without a holiday meal, and emergency housing for the homeless.  

Mayan Families is doing great things for the impoverished living in rural Guatemala. Their dedication to medical care (basic and preventative), education and clean water and food will have a lasting impact on future generations of Mayan families. You can get involved in helping Mayan Families by making a simple donation on their website or by creating your own fundraising campaign and donating the money you raise to the issue about which you feel most passionately. Contributions are 100% tax-deductible as allowed by law.

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