me, and everyone was so sweet. It was so casual. I fit right in.” Although McGrew does not speak Spanish or any Maya languages, she worked closely with a Mayan interpreter, Gilberto, who volunteered his time to be a leader for his people.
awarded from Migration and Refugee Services of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, because they, too, saw a need for such a tool kit to help both the Maya and health care workers. This project tackles the larger issues of language and culture the Maya face as they try to assimilate to life in the U.S. These issues hold the Maya back from rising above their notoriously underprivileged history and making the best of their futures while maintaining healthy lifestyles. With the success of the tool kit, the MHCP plan to develop additional health care kits in the future.
Gilberto wanted to bring his people closer together, and he saw firsthand the difficulties they encountered. In his native country of Guatemala, he was a student leader and is relatively well educated. He moved to Georgia, and his wife later became pregnant. When it came time for their baby’s delivery, Gilberto and his wife found it very difficult to communicate with health care professionals, as his wife did not speak Although McGrew did not start out her master’s English. They did not know what what their options program with an interest in the Maya people or even were during their stay in the hospital. health care, she quickly adapted and became engaged with the program academically and personally. McAfter this experience, Gilberto voiced that there was Grew has already made two professional presentaa need for health care information, specifically pre- tions at a national and regional conference as a result natal care, to be translated into Mayan languages to of her work. She was also able to write her master assist others who are going through similar experi- thesis on her experience. ences. McGrew mentioned that there are many Maya women who are alone in the U.S., and when they go to Now that she has graduated, McGrew considers purthe hospital, they have no way to communicate their suing her PhD. “The Masters in American Studies needs. program is a serious academic endeavor,” McGrew said. “Although very challenging, I loved all my classContrary to common misconceptions, the Maya es, professors, and classmates. And now that I am people are not Latino or Hispanic—they are Na- thinking about PhD programs, they are willing and tive American. For more than 4,000 years, they have able to help me embark on that next journey.” lived in southern Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula, and throughout Central America. They are one of the few “You have to have a dialogue with your fellow stuNative Americans who continue to primarily use their dents” McGrew advises. “Talk with your professor, native languages and practice their ancient culture. not to just get though the program, but because you There are more than 30 different Maya languages in can learn so much from their experiences.” use today with over 50 different dialects. Women tend to speak primarily their native language, but many of the men speak Spanish as well. Find out more information: Along with others, McGrew and Gilberto worked on MHCP commons.kennesaw.edu/maya-project a national Maya Health Care Tool Kit for health care MAST amst.hss.kennesaw.edu professionals. The project was funded by a contract
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