“The status of women’s health in Guatemala has lagged behind other countries in the region -- and worldwide -- for many decades.”
Spoken during the 2011 United Nations General Assembly, this statement continues to ring true today, especially for indigenous women living in rural Guatemala.
In Guatemala, rural, indigenous women have severely limited access to healthcare services and education. Only 29% of indigenous women use a skilled medical attendant while giving birth (USAID). Indigenous women experience higher and disproportionate rates of maternal mortality -- up to three times more than non-indigenous Guatemalan women (UNGA).
Women are not the only ones affected by an extreme lack of resources-- there are profound consequences for children as well. Among indigenous communities, the rate of infant mortality is 40 deaths per 1,000 live births, 10 deaths higher than non-indigenous populations (USAID). And 50% of Guatemalan children under age 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition (WFP).
Here at Pueblo a Pueblo, we work closely with young indigenous mothers in rural Guatemalan communities. To better understand the lived challenges of mothers in these areas, we visited three women from our Maternal Child Health (MCH) project and listened to their stories.
Chukmuk, a town along the coast of Lake Atitlan
We first traveled to Chukmuk to speak with Maria Imelda Reavida. Maria is 25 years old and her son Salvador is three and a half years old.
Maria Imelda Reavida
“I think the greatest challenge mothers in my community face is the lack of resources. When our child is sick, what do we do? The medical services are limited here. There’s no pharmacy for medicine.
"This was my concern when I was pregnant. Where would I find medical services to make sure my baby was healthy? That is how I first got into contact with Pueblo a Pueblo -- my neighbors told me that I could receive medical care through their program.”
"This was my concern when I was pregnant. Where would I find medical services to make sure my baby was healthy? That is how I first got into contact with Pueblo a Pueblo -- my neighbors told me that I could receive medical care through their program.”
Maria and Salvador
“Through the MCH project, I’ve been able to take Salvador to the doctor. In the past year, we visited the clinic six times. He is healthy now.”
Tzan’chaj, another small town along Lake Atitlan (photo courtesy of Grace Chun)
We then traveled south to visit Concepcion Canis in Tzan’chaj, a small town along Lake Atitlan. Concepcion is 24 years old and her baby Sofia is three months old.
Concepcion Canis
“Being a single mom is hard. I don’t have the support of a partner to help feed my baby. I just had surgery because of some complications after giving birth, and now I can’t breastfeed. We don’t have many resources to get Sofia the right type of formula that the doctor said she should be drinking. I think this is a challenge that all mothers in my community face -- feeding our children well.”
Concepcion with baby Sofia
“I got connected to Pueblo a Pueblo during my pregnancy. A former member of the MCH program told me about it. They supported me throughout my pregnancy, and continued to follow up during my postpartum period. Right now they’re trying to help Sofia get the right type of nutrition.”
On the way to Dolores’ home in Tzan’chaj
The last mother we visited was Dolores Amaga Pelzey, who also lives in Tzan’chaj. Dolores is 16 years old and her son Josue is one year and five months old.
Dolores and Josue
“My sister was part of the MCH program, and got me involved when I became pregnant last year. It was hard to be pregnant and alone at my age.
“When I was giving birth, there were some complications, and the doctors at the local hospital had to intervene. Pueblo a Pueblo supported me during that period.”
“When I was giving birth, there were some complications, and the doctors at the local hospital had to intervene. Pueblo a Pueblo supported me during that period.”
Dolores and her extended family
“When situations like that happen here, it’s hard for many women. There aren’t a lot of resources here for medical services.”
The stories of Maria, Concepcion, and Dolores illustrate some of the greater challenges indigenous women face in rural Guatemalan communities. Realizing the need for medical services and education for mothers and infants, we began our Maternal Child Health project in 2006.
Since then, we have witnessed how improved access to pre- and post-natal care, and medical attention for infants, have empowered women and children in rural Guatemala. And through our monthly health workshops, mothers in our program are equipped with knowledge that they are sharing with other women in their communities.
The cycle of empowerment can continue only with your support. Your help makes it possible to reach more women like Maria, Concepcion, and Dolores, and their children. Please consider sponsoring a Maternal Child Health mother today or making a donation to the MCH project.
Since then, we have witnessed how improved access to pre- and post-natal care, and medical attention for infants, have empowered women and children in rural Guatemala. And through our monthly health workshops, mothers in our program are equipped with knowledge that they are sharing with other women in their communities.
The cycle of empowerment can continue only with your support. Your help makes it possible to reach more women like Maria, Concepcion, and Dolores, and their children. Please consider sponsoring a Maternal Child Health mother today or making a donation to the MCH project.
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