Growing a Healthy Future

There is just something wonderful about eating a meal with vegetables from your very own garden. For the villagers of Chirixquitzac, vegetables were a luxury... if you could get to the local market and if you could pay the expensive prices.  Now, thanks to the family garden program started by CHOICE Humanitarian (with support from DownEast Home and Clothing) families in the community are selling vegetables instead of buying them. Just take a look at Mauricia Ical's beautiful garden! 

Mauricia in her garden.

Mauricia has already harvested many vegetables including carrots which she was able to sell for $0.50 a piece! Not only is she now able to provide her family with a variety of nutritious vegetables, she can also bring in a little income. Mauricia excitedly told us, "I can now provide better nutrition for good health for my five children." Right now all the women in the community are planting tomatoes and onions.

Thank you for supporting Mauricia and the entire village of Chirixquitzac. Real lasting change is beginning to take place.

Coming Into Focus

For the past ten years, Tux Hermojenes of Xalibe, Guatemala has lived without eyesight. As you might imagine, this has made it very difficult to take care of his family. Even simple tasks became nearly impossible. His story is not unusual, as many Xalibe villagers suffer with treatable medical conditions because they do not have sufficient access to medical care. Last November, CHOICE Humanitarian arranged for Tux, and 30 others like him, to travel 3 hours to the closest medical facility for various treatments.

Tux (left) waiting for his turn.

After a quick procedure, Tux, at the age of 78, finally received his sight back. He was overwhelmed with emotion when he said, "I am so happy to return to my home with sight. I have a deep gratitude in my heart for this opportunity to see again."

Tux with his family.

After the operation.

With the support of CHOICE and companies like Spectrum Health Care, these villagers will never have to wait so long for medical treatment again. They will be able to find relief from their suffering and treatment for their ailments in the new hospital that is being built near their homes. The foundation of the hospital is already in, and once it is complete, villagers will be able receive the treatment they need to live healthy and productive lives.

Hospital foundation

This will have a profound impact on the quality of life for this region of Guatemala. Thank you for supporting these efforts by making medical treatment possible for our friends Guatemala.