for children with disabilities
Bridging Gaps in Medical Service
Approximately 10.2% of Guatemala's population have disabilities, and roughly 31% of households have at least one household member with a mild or severe disability.
Despite this alarming reality, Guatemala is not providing these families with adequate resources and services. Send Me is offering practical solutions to these families by filling in the gaps of healthcare to help families receive the assistance they need.
That’s one out of every ten neighbors, friends, relatives, co-workers, passers-by, or distant strangers.
Our Ray of Hope program was born out of a compassionate response to the critical needs of children with disabilities observed in rural Guatemalan communities. Witnessing the neglect, lack of resources, inadequate facilities, and a shortage of knowledgeable caregivers, our founders were inspired to act and create a program dedicated to uplifting these exceptional children's lives.
Impact: Since the program’s inception in 2013, Ray of Hope has created access to essential clinical exams and treatments, along with providing proper medications, physical therapy and vital nutritional support for upwards of 70+ children annually. We are dedicated to growing our services and sharing the love of Christ.
Our mission teams build outdoor kitchens, provide beds, clean water and sometimes new homes altogether.
Advocacy:
SURVIVING THE ODDS
Breaking Chains of Despair: a true story
Here, in the central highlands of Guatemala, the silent struggles of rural, indigenous, and impoverished communities often go unnoticed. This is a story that revealed the pressing need for change to us in healthcare in our region.
A 4-year-old child, who was part of our Ray of Hope program, arrived at the local hospital, his life shattered by the reality of malnutrition. Two days later, he was gone. The hospital, limited in resources, declared it was too late. A devastated mother faced a loss beyond comprehension.
Two months later, another child in our Ray of Hope program, we’ll call him Juan, was also battling severe malnutrition. He was facing a similar fate. Doctors predicted he wouldn't survive the night. His mother, burdened by the news, reached out to us. The hospital, lacking the necessary medication, pushed us to find a solution.
Our team, led by our staff nurse, Valeriano, swiftly procured the medication from a nearby pharmacy. However, challenges remained. The hospital couldn't provide a crucial gastro-intestinal exam, and Juan needed it to survive. The hospital's grim prognosis echoed - he would not survive the journey.
A call for change reverberated throughout our staff. who advocated and paid for the exam. Our staff then coordinated transportation to the exam by ambulance. Little Juan not only survived his prognosis, but thrived! He had an easily treatable infection. Medication, and care brought healing.
This story mirrors the stark reality of Guatemala's healthcare statistics, which reflect an under-skilled and under-resourced medical care system that is fraught with discrimination. Those living inside the statistics need advocates and care that the standard system cannot not provide. Juan is a testament to resilience, he is a call for compassion, and a plea for tomorrow. Your support can rewrite this narrative for countless others. Join us in changing the all-too-common story.
The foundation of our work
Eight Pillars
in this section
At Send Me, we understand the importance of family. Family has always been at the center of God’s plan. Jesus taught often about family and the benefits of becoming a part of His family. It is clear to us that when the needs of the family are ignored, the sacrifice of Jesus is nothing less than invisible. In response, we are hard at work to expand our services so that we can do more for families currently under our care. By expanding our services, we can provide a wider range of options to better support families in their daily lives. Whether it's through additional caregiving options, new educational resources, or enhanced lifestyle support, our growth in services will be focused on meeting the diverse and evolving needs of the families of children with disabilities. We believe a strong and healthy family can better serve and contribute to the community.
1
Accessible Comprehensive Care:
Comprehensive care that focuses on clinical, educational, financial, and spiritual support for the development of the child, families can gain access to resources and support that take them out of crisis and into a Christ-centered community.
2
Facility Enhancement:
Our commitment extends to not only improving our own clinical and educational spaces but also the spaces in the home where children learn and grow.
3
Parental Empowerment
Through the provision of workshops and training sessions that include understanding disability, how to manage their child at home from therapies to medication to nutrition; handle emergencies and identify sexual abuse parents and caregivers can be empowered to understand, support and encourage their child at home.
4
Community Outreach:
Supporting the child with disabilities and their families in the community through relationship and awareness can reduce the judgement, stigma, and misconceptions that hinder the acceptance of the disabled child within their family and public communities.
5
Emotional and Practical Support:
Support groups for mothers and caregivers can help to share experiences, provide emotional support, and discuss challenges related to caring for children with disabilities which gives families a newfound sense of belonging.
6
Specialized Therapies and Developmental Programs:
Clinical and educational support including social services improve the families’ health and wellbeing. Through onsite and mobile home health care the child and the caregivers obtain relief, encouragement and support to navigate and overcome the challenges of perpetual poverty.
7
Advocacy and Navigation Services:
The under-resourced healthcare system lacks referrals and follow-up appointments. Caregivers often do not know what to do next, or when to do it. Advocacy services can help families navigate through healthcare, educational, and social service systems that lack a clear path of service and care
8
Community Resource Hub:
A centralized resource hub can offer information on local services, financial assistance programs, and educational resources that fill the gaps we cannot offer. By facilitating partnerships with local businesses, families in need can receive help when needed
Volunteer Expertise Needed
We are actively seeking volunteers with expertise in various fields to contribute to the well-being of our Ray of Hope families. Whether you are a healthcare professional, educator, therapist, or simply have a passion for helping others, your skills are invaluable. By volunteering your time and expertise, you can directly support these children and their families, providing them with the specialized care and attention they need.
How You Can Help
There are several ways you can get involved and make a difference:
Volunteer Your Time: Dedicate your time to work directly with children with disabilities, help us network in the community, providing support, mentorship, and companionship.
Share Your Expertise: If you have professional expertise, consider volunteering or networking to help us create resource materials and provide additional specialized community services, such as special events, parental training, or community awareness sessions.
Make a Donation: Your financial contributions will help fund essential programs and resources for children with disabilities, ensuring they have access to the support they need.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Join us in our mission to serve children with disabilities and make a positive impact in their lives. Whether you choose to volunteer your time, share your expertise, or make a donation, your support will help create a brighter future for these children. Together, we can make a meaningful difference and provide hope and opportunity for children with disabilities. Thank you for considering this important cause.
