February 2021 Warm greetings to you! We are sending our annual update with the genuine hope that you, your friends and your families are well. A wish that has taken on new significance this year. 2020 has been extremely challenging, especially so for our partners in Guatemala, who have had to deal with COVID-19 in a country of almost non-existent health services for the poor as well as two devastating hurricanes and the resulting floods and loss of crops. In March, the national government implemented a curfew, cancelled public transportation, closed schools and businesses, and severely restricted movement between communities and regions to cope with the 1st wave. All of that helped stem the advance of COVID-19 but disproportionately wreaked havoc on those working in the informal economy and subsistence agriculture. Our partners have been resourceful and determined, however, working together as communities to remain healthy and counteract the effects of the disastrous storms.
In their words, “… really, at this moment we can say that every morning that dawns we feel happy to be alive. We know that we are living through difficult times, but we have to continue each morning with optimism, a will to live.”
Figure 1 Nuevo Horizonte members making soap
Happily, with your donations, Bienestar has been able to support these efforts in very significant ways. And we have had some help! Last year Selkirk College agreed that remaining funds generated from 13 years of fund-raising by the nursing students who participated in the Guatemala practice experience should be directed to Bienestar to support ongoing collaboration with our Guatemalan partners. Bravo to all of the alumni, community benefactors, and Selkirk College for their invaluable contributions to our partnerships which continue to support health and wellness at the grassroots level.