In Guatemala, Covid-19 has brought about high levels of unemployment, reports of increased domestic violence, and limited access to health, education and protection services.
Teresa lives with her 11-year-old grandson, Bautista, in Guatemala City. Working in the cemeteries provided Teresa with a steady income until the pandemic came, and the government closed the area.
Teresa was forced to walk for several kilometres to sort through rubbish to find materials to recycle. Due to health issues, she was unable to do this each day and her income was limited to less than $10 a week.
However, through the outreach of a local church – a member of Viva’s partner network in Guatemala – Teresa and Bautista received a food basket and other basic living essentials.
Teresa thanks God and the church, saying, “I never expected to receive this. I have more strength to fight every day, and through these acts of kindness I see how God is present in my life. I thank the people who have made it possible for this food to reach me and my happy grandson!”
Teresa and Bautista were one of around 500 families supported by Red Viva Guatemala with food relief last year.
Another family who has been helped is headed up by Odilia. She is 43 and, after being diagnosed with stomach cancer in February 2020, her husband left her alone with the four children.
They live in a house that measures ten by six metres, with a basic structure of wood and tin. As her health condition and the restrictions of the pandemic have allowed her, she has had some employment cleaning houses, washing and ironing clothes, and through these jobs has been able to provide food to her children.
As members of the local church that she attends learned she was unwell and without the support of her children’s father, they have integrated her into the relief programme of Red Viva Guatemala.
The network has provided the family with food and medicine to support the effects of her cancer treatment. She receives food and cleaning supplies and is given pastoral care for her and her children.
Odilia is grateful for the outreach of the network: “This blessing that comes into our hands will allow us to have that much-needed plate of food every day. My children can see that there are good people in the world who still care about sharing with their neighbour.”
Statistics from Guatemala City’s Management Health System, state that during 2020, the first year of the pandemic, malnutrition increased by 80 per cent, compared to 2019.
The other emergency that affected Guatemala last year was two hurricanes, Eta and Iota, which affected the north and east regions of the country in quick succession last November.
More than 10,000 people were evacuated from their homes, and 40 churches in the network have been supporting some families, initially with food and clothing, and then with psychological support.
Pray for continued provision of food and basic supplies for families, as part of the Central America relief programme.
Pray for protection of health and safety of the pastors and volunteers as they reach out to people in their communities.