Project Widows and Elderly (Proyecto Viudas y Ancianos) - The Christmas Gift of Food

I prayed and continue to pray for God to open my eyes to a project or a need where I can help a special group of Guatemalans.

After spending two months in the rural pueblo of Santa Cruz La Laguna and getting to know the people and their circumstances it became clear to me that one of the most urgent problems has to do with the widows and the elderly. There isn’t a reliable social help system for those most in need and especially for those isolated. There are many villages on the north side of the lake that are isolated without a usable road to enter and exit the villages. They have to have everything brought in by boat and that is very expensive. Also, because of the isolation there really isn't a variety of jobs and the area is very poor.

The elderly are often left without assistance from their families who can’t even take care of themselves. The elderly are not able to work and therefore are helpless in may ways to survive.

The widows try to earn money to care for themselves and their children but life is very hard and work is not always available.

Here is is picture of a mom and daughter searching for plastic to sell for money. 

They do this every day and earn a few cents.

I feel that God has opened my eyes to this special group and is asking me to help them in some way. Without a lot of resources at the moment I am trying to discern the best way to help them in some perpetual way but for now I have begun a project to deliver a large portion of typical foods to them just before Christmas. I hope they will be able to not only have food throughout the entire Christmas time but also have hope for a better tomorrow.

Right now I and a few local friends are identifying the widows and elderly in most need and are seeking donations to help purchase the food. As the donations come in we will begin buying the food and preparing the baskets.

We will be filling baskets with essential food items such as: Beans, Rice, Flour, Cooking Oil, Salt and Sugar. The cost of each large basket will be about $25 USD and will include the food items and a small religious Christmas gift for the person / family.

Deliveries will be made the week before Christmas and with their permission we will take pictures to share the experience with you.

If you would like to participate in this life giving project please look for the donation button on the right column of the page on www.CatholicMission.net

Deacon Pat and Liz Kearns (along with local friends) will be personally delivering the gift baskets in the pueblos of Jaibalito, Santa Cruz la Laguna, and a few other small villages.

Thank you and may God always keep you close.

Deacon Patricio