ODIM Guatemala Annual Report 2021

Health Care and Education in Guatemala ODIM ANNUAL REPORT 2021 IMPACT

CONTENTS HOW WE WORK .............................................................................................. 3 LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR .......................................................... 4 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW...................................................................................... 6 THE COVID LOW-DOWN................................................................................... 8 HOW OUR MEDICAL CLINICS ARE LEADING THE WAY ................................... 10 ODIM COMBATS MALNUTRITION....................................................................12 OVERVIEW OF PROGRAMS ............................................................................14 MEET JUANITA — OUR IN-HOUSE VIDEOGRAPHER ......................................... 20 #GIVINGTUESDAY PROMOTES GENDER EQUALITY IN RURAL GUATEMALA.....21 REACHING DREAMS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS..................................................... 22 WHY I BECAME A SPONSOR .......................................................................... 24 COME BACK TO GUATEMALA ....................................................................... 25 ULTIMATE GUATEMALA CHALLENGE — THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME ......... 26 ODIM AMBASSADORS ................................................................................... 27 WHERE DO YOUR DONATIONS GO? ............................................................. 28 SPECIAL THANKS! .......................................................................................... 29

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HOW WE WORK At Organization for the Development of the Indigenous Maya (ODIM) we provide community-driven, high quality and culturally competent health and education services to the indigenous communities of San Pablo and San Juan La Laguna in Guatemala.

Our services include two medical clinics staffed by bilingual Spanish/Tz’utujil speaking nurses and a Guatemalan physi‐ cian, as well as a dental clinic. Additionally, ODIM offers six community health and education programs to prevent ill health and promote an elevated quality of life. Our pro‐ grams endeavor to be multi-faceted, evidence-based and cul‐ turally aligned.

At ODIM, foreign and local staff work side by side, com‐ mitted to improving the lives of the people we serve. We employ 42 staff in the two communities of San Pablo and San Juan La Laguna — 25 full-time employees and 17 part-time.

74% of our staff are Tz’utujil Maya, 19% are Guatemalan nationals (but not Tz’utujil) and 7% are foreign. 83% of our staff are women.

Vision: To be a nationally and internationally recognized leader in healthcare and preventative health education.

Mission: To enable access to healthcare and preventative health education for the population, with equality, honesty, and confidentiality, that is focused on programs that promote development and empowerment of the communi‐ ties of San Pablo and San Juan La Laguna.

TO MAKE A DONATION Online: www.odimguatemala.org/donate Check payable to ODIM: Martha Stowe 1527 Waterside Ct. Dallas, Texas, 75218 Contact: executive.director@odimguatemala.org or communications.manager@odimguatemala.org

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor: Sarah Cronin Graphic Design: April Hull Photos: Kincho ilms, Sarah Cronin, Juana jpan, and am n Klomp A special thank you to our printer alph Myers at Mpress ODIM G ATEMALA 2 22 3

A LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR If 2 2 taught us how to deal with panic and crisis, 2 21 taught us patience and resilience.

As the SA and many other rich countries rolled out COVID vaccines to the public, Guatemala was left far behind, along with so many countries in the developing world. We patiently waited our turn and by August 2 21 our whole team had been vaccinated a huge relief for our healthcare providers and community workers who had put themselves at risk to support others.

Our initial concerns about not having vaccines available soon shifted to the realization that the majority of our population did not trust the vaccine. Much of our work in 2 21 was dedicated to creating vaccine information in the local Mayan language Tz’utujil in order to educate our communities about the myths and realities of COVID and the vaccine (page 8).

In September 2 21, ODIM led a collaboration of 1 non-profit organizations across the region in the creation of a video for local television and social media to combat fear and taboo around the vaccine. This was an exciting moment for ODIM we felt one step closer to achieving our vision of becoming recognized as leaders in health education on a national level, and uniting so many organizations created a wave of excitement around the lake.

Our fears around malnutrition due to the pandemic became reality as we saw the numbers coming in. O cial statistics reported that child malnutrition doubled nationwide, and even among our program participants (who receive food supple‐ ments, vitamins and fresh food baskets) we saw parents struggling to keep their babies at a healthy weight due to a lack of income. Thanks to support from the brave ltimate Guatemala Challengers (see page 12), our Healthy Mommy Me program has been able to continue supporting moms and babies through these hardest of times.

Our volunteer teams started trickling back to Guatemala this year and the reality is we need you to come back! ODIM’s communities thrive because of your help, and we are committed to creating safe environments for visitors who want to have a positive impact on these communities during the toughest of times in our recent history. Take a look at page 25 if you are thinking about travel and how it may look during the pandemic.

We were thrilled that Giving Tuesday in 2 21 was a great success and raised over 17, to support our work around Gender Equality (see page 21).

We can only do all of this amazing work because we have an international community driving us forward. This is all because of you and we can’t thank you enough. est wishes from Guatemala on behalf of all the team,

Amy Holly Executive Director 4

“Our volunteer teams started trickling back to Guatemala this year and the reality is…we need you to come back! ODIMʼs communities thrive because of your hel and e are committed to creating safe environments for visitors ho ant to have a ositive im act on these communities during the toughest of times in our recent history.

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OUR IMPACT! 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

3170

MEDICAL AND DENTAL SERVICES

HEALTHY MOMMY

646 new patients registered in our clinics 4,094 treatments for diabetes (Metformin/Insulin) 5,969 laboratory tests 1,637 family planning methods delivered 768 antibiotic treatments 196 prenatal consultations 57

ME

199 mothers and babies enrolled in the program 775 food vouchers delivered to mothers 32 workshops conducted by our health promoters 3 educational videos broadcast on local TV 57 mothers and their babies graduated after 1, days in the program 78% of the babies graduated from our program with a healthy height and weight at age 2

SCHOLARSHIPS ACHIEVING DREAMS 13 students in 2 21 3 graduated High School

ach lower treatments

COVID-19 RESPONSE 14 videos produced about COVID 42 workshops on vaccination offered in programs and at the clinic 100% of ODIM staff are vaccinated 54% of high-risk program participants vaccinated compared to 14.4% of the general population in San Pablo La Laguna (and 33.9% in San Juan La Laguna) 5 employees received free food delivery while in quarantine

Schoo

84% successfully completed the school year or advanced to the next grade level 6

DIABETES — LETʼS WALK TOGETHER

38%

of the participants from San Pablo and 33% from San Juan have controlled sugar levels

699 food vouchers delivered to diabetes patients 24 house visits carried out to vulnerable patients 36 workshops carried out by our health promoters 358 people in total benefitted from our program

HIGH IMPACT HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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FAMILIES ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM

91 water filters and 29 stoves installed

385 individuals obtained access to safe drinking water and clean air 46 monitoring and evaluation interviews carried out 1 educational video broadcast on local TV

ADMINISTRATION

23,880

people benefitted from our work on a budget of $347,200 Only 10% went to administration Five new employees were hired in 2021

ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAM 300 bottles of hand sanitizer donated or sold in lakeside communities as well as other departments 60% of San Pablo’s households have a bottle of the ODIM hand sanitizer 49 handicrafts sold 20% of proceeds donated to conservation efforts

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TREES PLANTED

thanks to the proceeds of handicraft sales

54 trees will be planted in 2 22

ADOLESCENT HEALTH 24 adolescents, aged 11 13, graduated in 2 21 from our five-month course 5 educational videos broadcast on local TV 95% comprehension of health topics at the end of the program (compared to 8% at the start)

FUNDRAISING 548 individual donors gave 75, 7 ODIM Ambassadors gave 7 ,8 11 churches donated 23,7 $20,200 was received in grants $16,400 was raised by 4 teams of volunteers $10,000 total patient donations

In 2021, promotions were given to Am rica Evelina Castro Vargas to become Acting Executive Director, Pablo aqueo Sosa Piy to become Laboratory Assistant, and Kelly Josefina Mendoza Cholot o, to become Let’s Walk Together Program Coordinator.

Three staff scholarships were provided in 2 21 to help further our dedicated team’s career and development in the areas of ursing, Administration and Education.

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THE COVID-19 LOWDOWN

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How ODIM responded to the devastating effects of COVID-19 in our communities

TABOO There is significant stigma in our communities around catching COVID. This causes denial, refusal to test for COVID or get vaccinated, resulting in unmitigated spread.

ODIM’S RESPONSE: Our staff are encouraged to talk openly with clients and the community in general about getting COVID tests and about their personal experiences with COVID. ODIM has published regular community videos with individuals sharing their stories.

HAZY FACTS With low testing rates and sporadic test availability, it is very hard to know how many cases there are in our communities.

ODIM’S RESPONSE: Although the Guatemalan govern‐ ment issues color-coded updates for each region, our PPE protocol has remained at ed Alert level since 2 2 because we understand that there is no way of knowing. ased on internal and external studies, we can assume actual case numbers are at least 5 % higher than reported (likely more in San Pablo where testing is extremely uncommon).

VACCINES As with most developing countries, the roll out of vaccines in Guatemala has been extremely slow and complicated com‐ pared to the S, Canada and Europe. Surprisingly, vaccines have been readily available in our communities to all adults since August 2 21 but uptake has been slow. y the end of 2 21 only 2 % of Guatemalans had been fully vaccinated.

ODIM’S RESPONSE: ODIM has led the way in the region to break the taboo around vaccines by disseminating infor‐ mation, giving classes, hosting webinars, and producing and disseminating videos of our own vaccine experiences. As with all of ODIM’s work, these efforts are focused on

ensuring information is spread in Tz’utujil and other local Mayan languages, and led by local community members.

EDUCATION In Guatemala, Spanish is the o cial language, but many of our community members do not speak or understand infor‐ mation in Spanish, as the Mayan language Tz’utujil is their first language. Most information in Guatemala around the pandemic is issued only in Spanish. or many of our com‐ munity members, most information is gathered through family members, neighbors and friends from the commu‐ nity so that misinformation can spread like wildfire.

ODIM’S RESPONSE: ODIM staff received regular training around COVID and vaccines and pass on informa‐ tion formally through our community groups, as well as informally through their contacts in the community. ODIM focuses on spoken information (rather than producing written lea ets) because of high levels of illiteracy.

PARTNERSHIPS In a rare moment in history, we were all focused on the same thing. The Ministry of Health, local governments and nonprofits of every description have all been focused on how to combat, live, and thrive within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. With so much distrust and uncertainty, the importance and trust in non-profits in the region surged and has created excellent opportunities for collaboration.

ODIM’S RESPONSE: ODIM saw this moment as a great opportunity and stepped up our work with our contacts and partners. We created a network of GOs across the Solol department and facilitated the first collaboration of its kind bringing together messages from 1 nonprofits in a video to promote COVID vaccination in five languages.

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OUR MEDICAL CLINICS ARE LEADING THE WAY with Kimberly Celada, Clinic Manager Kimberly is a graduate in Guatemalan Gastronomy and in Preschool Teaching and is currently studying Business Administration at the Panamericana University in Quetzaltenango. She began working at O in as linic anager where she oversees the o erations o O s two medical clinics and dental clinic.

Tell us a little bit about what brought you to ODIM? What drew my attention to ODIM is the great work envi‐ ronment and all the help and education that ODIM offers the communities, as well as the alliances it makes with other organizations, all for the same goal: health.

Health is an issue that many people do not attach importance to due to the lack of places to go or how expensive a private

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consultation is. In ODIM’s clinics, we prioritize our patients and provide them with the resources they need to prevent and treat diseases, which is why it I love working here.

What has the vaccine rollout been like in uate ala?

When the vaccines against covid were first developed, it took almost two months for vaccination to begin in Guatemala.

When the vaccines finally arrived, there were thefts of doses,

corruption and vaccine loss due to poor equipment and mishandling.

Other than O ID this year?

To initiate vaccine rollout, the government prioritized groups of the population. The first to receive vaccines were health personnel, but only within the public sector. o one else had access to vaccines. At ODIM we looked everywhere for the possibility of receiving vaccines, but we were denied because we were considered a private organization.

We are working on a new project together with the Adolescent Health program, which consists of creating informative videos about the different contraceptive methods that we offer. This project is intended to educate people about how the methods work while confronting the fear that exists about using them.

We broadcast these videos on local cable and publish them on our social networks so that they have a greater reach.

In April, we finally received the good news that our clinic staff was eligible to be vaccinated, but it wasn’t until the month of May that the rest of the ODIM staff were able to receive their first dose.

Most of the vaccines were donated by other countries, as such, the general public could not choose which brand they wanted they were vaccinated with whatever was distributed to their local health center. At first, we only had Astra eneca, then Sputnik. Several months later, Moderna and Pfizer became available. ow have the vaccinations been receive in the local co unities aroun the lake?

When it was time to vaccinate the general public, misinfor‐ mation created panic among people and many refused to be vaccinated, fearing that the vaccine contained COVID or that a chip was injected to control them or that the vaccine would cause death. As a result of this, the demand for vac‐ cines was initially very low and many doses were lost due to failure to use all of the doses in each bottle.

Little by little, sources of information were created to educate the population and achieve acceptance of the vaccine. ow has ODIM worke to ebunk these yths an rovi e ore e ucation to the co unity?

ODIM held webinars, classes, and produced numerous campaigns. We made videos that were shown on social net‐ works and broadcast on cable television. We held educa‐ tional workshops for patients and community program par‐ ticipants and we trained the ODIM staff so that they themselves could use their example and knowledge to educate their family, friends, and neighbors.

We also made an alliance with the Government Health Center of San Juan so that they would install a vaccination center within our clinics during our normal business hours.

Thanks to this alliance, community members were vacci‐ nated with their first dose in our own Sanjuanerita clinic.

what was your secon ary ocus

Additionally, we have an alliance with the sexual and repro‐ ductive health organization WI GS (ALAS) of Guatemala, which comes to our clinics once a month to carry out days of placement of the copper T I D and Jadelle, a service that we offer completely free of charge.

What are the barriers that wo en in San Pablo an San uan a aguna ace in accessing a ily lanning etho s an how oes ODIM work to a ress these barriers?

In our communities there is still a lot of machismo, and we hear of many men forbidding women to use contraceptive methods. There are also myths about becoming sterile if a method is implanted. It is totally taboo to consider that ado‐ lescents who are not yet married are having sexual relations.

ODIM works hard on this problem through sexual educa‐ tion and gender equity programs to teach women that they have full rights to decide about their bodies. ro your ers ective why is it so i a ily lanning etho s in the co Pablo an San uan?

ortant to o er unities o San

ecause they are communities where there are many young pregnant girls and because there is little education and little attention from the government or other organizations on this issue. Sex education has been left aside when it should be a priority.

With education and access to these methods, unwanted pregnancies are prevented, STIs are prevented, and we reduce poverty, maternal and child malnutrition, maternal deaths, and infant deaths. ny last thoughts?

I feel proud to work in an organization that helps the com‐ munity in many ways, and it gives me great satisfaction to be part of this, as a clinic we are fully committed to providing health and education to people who need it, achieving impact and positive change in our communities.

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ODIM COMBATS MALNUTRITION

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AT THE START OF 2021, as the world began to open again, recovery was painfully slow in Guatemala, with many families and businesses still reeling from the devastating economic hits of the COVID-19 crisis.

Guatemala ranks th in the world for chronic childhood malnutri‐ tion. This situation only worsened during the pandemic as families struggled to make ends meet when the local tourist economy came to a sudden and defining standstill. Malnutrition rates nationally increased two-fold and locally our program leaders reported more than 5 times the usual rates of malnutrition-related growth stunting in children.

It was clear that amidst the uncertainty of a lingering health crisis, we had to act to continue to ensure the food security and wellbeing of community members, particularly moms and babies.

Through a successful series of campaigns and the inspired Trivia ights and virtual cooking events hosted by ODIM staff and sup‐ porters, including local foodie and maestro Chef Dre, we have been able to raise a total of 14,388 specifically to mitigate the effects of malnutrition in the communities where we work.

These donations allowed us to continue to provide food supple‐ ments for underweight babies, pre- and post-natal vitamins for new mothers, and food distribution to vulnerable community members. The food baskets, which we distributed throughout 2 21, included fresh vegetables, eggs, rice, beans, pasta, and forti‐ fied oats to ensure that families had access to healthy food during these uncertain times.

Thank you to everyone who participated in these cam‐ paigns, cooked (or gamed) with us, or even led their own cooking f undraiser in 2021!

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OVERVIEWof PROGRAMS The Organization for the Development of the Indigenous Maya, or ODIM Guatemala provides community-driven healthcare and education in the indigenous towns of San Pablo and San Juan La Laguna.

ODIM also operates a dental clinic, providing patients with cleaning, fillings, and extractions. To date, it remains the only dental clinic of its kind in the region to provide afford‐ able care.

ODIM operates two medical clinics and offers an array of services to patients including primary care, prenatal care, diabetes treatments, medication, family planning, and labo‐ ratory testing.

In addition to operating medical and dental clinics, ODIM runs six community programs addressing a range of com‐ munity needs including childhood malnutrition, adoles‐ cent health, diabetes education, and safe stoves and drinking water.

Patients pay a nominal fee (about 3), but no patients are turned away for lack of funds. Our clinic provides an average of 5, treatments a year to patients, many of whom would otherwise not be able to afford treatment.

These programs are both evidence-based and culturally aligned and are led by members of the community in both Spanish and the Maya language of Tz’utujil.

Reaching Dreams/Alcanzando Sueños BUDGET 22 452 COORDINATOR PAULINA QUIACAIN ODIM’s first community education program, eaching Dreams/Alcanzando Sueños , was founded in 2 8 with the goal of breaking the cycle of poverty for children in San Pablo La Laguna through educational scholarships. our out of ten children in San Pablo are not in school, and 8 % of those who are, drop out before th grade. The majority of families list lack of funds as the principal reason for not being able to continue their child’s education.

Achievements in 2021: Three scholarship students gradu‐ ated from high school this year. Luc a Glenda Leja jpan earned a diploma as a bilingual secretary, and Marvin Antonio jpan Sac and Pedro baldo Culum jpan earned diplomas in business administration. We salute the hard work and accomplishments of these students and the support from their families and sponsors. or just $80 a month you can sponsor one of our students in the scholarship program.

Each year, this program helps promising junior high and high school students reach their academic goals by offering scholarships, funded by generous sponsors, to cover their school tuition, books, supplies, and uniforms.

ODIM scholarship students also receive supplemental tutoring by ODIM promoters in English, Mathematics, Sexual Education, and Computing as well as complimentary access to primary medical and dental care in our clinics. To give back to their community, students organize monthly community service projects that support local environmental and conservation efforts in their hometown.

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Let’s Walk Together/Caminemos Juntos BUDGET 29 847 COORDINATOR KELLY MENDO A CHOLOTIO Diabetes is a widespread health issue in Guatemala that affects 30 % of men and % of women nationall .

ODIM’s Let’s Walk Together diabetes program provides education about living healthy with the disease, exercise, cooking classes, and bi-weekly support groups. The pro‐ gram’s goal is to empower participants to take control of their health and live the healthiest life possible. Participants also receive health consultations, house visits, regular glucose and A1C checks, and extremely low-cost monthly medicines (at approximately 1.5 per month).

throughout the year. Also, three of our most vulnerable patients learned how to check their own sugar levels and administer their own insulin.

Each year we hel atients with iabetes sy to s an live healthy lives

anage their

ou can sponsor a participant in aminemos untos for $30 a month.

Achievements in 2021: Despite the pandemic lock-down, we continued to educate our participants and community through educational videos in Tz’utujil, produced by our promoters and broadcast on local television. When the gov‐ ernment restrictions allowed it, we took our participants for walks in small groups of eight along the shore of Lake Atitl n. All participants received monthly food vouchers

Healthy Mommy & Me/Mamá y Yo Saludable BUDGET 47 809 COORDINATOR ROSARIO LEJA ODIM’s Healthy Mommy Me program was founded in 2 15 as part of the global movement: 1, days to change the life of a child. Each year we work with 12 mothers and their babies. Guatemala has one of the highest rates of malnutrition in the world, with 47% of children

under age 5 suffering from chronic malnutrition. The longterm consequences for their physical health and intellectual development are devastating. The program includes four methods of intervention: prenatal and postnatal healthcare for mothers and infants up to two years of age, education focused on child development and healthy nutrition using local food sources, monthly distribution of nutritional sup‐ plements, and monthly support groups.

Achievements in 2021: ODIM health promoters con‐ ducted 11 height and weight clinics and 12 presentations for mothers in both towns, including COVID-19 and how to protect the family, and produced 3 informational videos shown on local television stations. 58 children and their mothers graduated from the program. 78% of the children achieved the height and weight appropriate for their age and 22% manifested stunting. Over the year, 1 2 participants received 775 food vouchers.

For just $50 a month you can sponsor a mother and child in this program.

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Adolescent Health/Salud del Adolescente BUDGET 21 474 COORDINATOR BETTY PERE Guatemala has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in all Central America. 84% of women in Guatemala have their first child before they reach age 2 , often earlier. Mean‐ while, the public-school curriculum often truncates or omits

topics on sexual education, and discussion regarding topics of sex is a taboo subject in households of the communities where we work.

ODIM’s Adolescent Health empowers adolescent girls and boys in San Juan and San Pablo la Laguna through compre‐ hensive sexual health education.

Participants learn about gender equality, consent in relation‐ ships, human rights, sexual orientation, birth control methods, physical development, and mental health. We also provide education for parents, family members and teachers.

Achievements in 2021: Twenty-four adolescents from the two communities graduated from the five-month course. In San Pablo La Laguna, the participants increased their knowl‐ edge, as measured by pre and posttests, from 55% to 92%.

Program promoters collaborated with the medical staff to produce a series of videos on sexual orientation and contracep‐ tive methods which aired on local television stations.

High Impact Home Improvements (HIHI)/ Vivienda Saludable BUDGET 27 238 COORDINATOR ARELY ROCIO JUARE FLORES ounded in 2 18, ODIM’s High Impact Home Improve‐ ment program aims to improve the health of low-income families in San Pablo and San Juan through impactful home interventions. amilies in our program receive e cient, wood-burning stoves that reduce or eliminate smoke in the homes and co ltro water filters, which reduce and elimi‐ nate the number of bacteria in drinking water. These two home interventions combat the prevalence of respiratory and intestinal illnesses caused by toxic smoke inhalation and consumption of contaminated water. Each family also receives six educational sessions to learn how to use and maintain these interventions as well as strategies to maintain the overall health and hygiene of the home.

conducted 4 follow-up monitoring visits in households that were past recipients of stoves and filters. ODIM pro‐ moters also produced one video for local television, that focused on how to create and maintain a hygienic home.

Achievements in 2021: A total of 27 households in San Pablo and San Juan received stoves and co ltros, which benefitted 145 individuals. Additionally, ODIM promoters 17

Entrepreneurship Program/Emprendedores B’atz’ib’al BUDGET

12 665

Our newest program is our entrepreneurship program, m rendedores ’atz’i ’al, founded in 2 2 , by ODIM’s scholarship students to learn basic business and marketing skills and corporatism in order to create positive social change in their community.

As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, our entrepreneur stu‐ dents responded to the lack of hand sanitizer and running water in homes of their communities by developing and marketing their own hand sanitizer, based on a WHO-ap‐ proved formulation.

The students also make and market crocheted Christmas deco‐ rations and keychains as well as origami earrings made from corn chip bags to raise funds for community conservation projects.

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COORDINATOR ANA SILVIA SOSA PIY Achievements in 2021: In 2 21, students sold or donated 283 bottles and 17 gallons of hand sanitizer to clinics, households, and businesses in three towns. Thanks to the support of donors, they were also able to deliver free or highly subsidized disinfectant spray to 57% of households in their own hometown of San Pablo la Laguna.

In 2 21, with funds generated through the sale of their cro‐ cheted craft items and in cooperation with the government agency CO AP ( ational Council for Protected Areas), the scholarship students planted 155 trees to address the serious deforestation problem in San Pablo La Laguna. These new entrepreneurs generated enough income to be able to plant another 54 trees in 2 22.

Dental Clinics

Medical Clinics

BUDGET

BUDGET 112 500 ADMINISTRATOR Medical and Dental KIMBERLY CELADA

22 700

Our Work: Our dental clinic provides cleaning, fillings, and extractions. Many people are accustomed to coming to a dentist for emergencies only, so we are working to encourage more preventive care, through checkups, clean‐ ings and uoride application. Our dentists are also collabo‐ rating with medical staff to ensure that our diabetic patients’ special needs are met.

Achievements in 2021: This year a greater number of treatments were performed for both program participants and regular patients.

We made progress with our uoride campaign, and success‐ fully increased our focus on preventive treatments such as Pit and issure Sealants. We also trained Health Promoters on oral health care and in 2 21, the first workshop on edu‐ cation in Oral Health was held with the participants of the eaching Dreams scholarship program. Our clinic also implemented the use of periapical radiography to give patients a more accurate diagnosis and specialized treat‐ ment plan.

Our work: Our two medical clinics provide high quality, culturally competent, affordable primary health care to the populations of San Pablo and San Juan La Laguna. The providers include bilingual Spanish/Tz’utujil speaking nurses and a physician local to the community. Patients usually pay a donation of 2.5 , though no one is turned away for lack of funds.

Achievements in 2021: We were able to purchase ultra‐ sound equipment for the Chuitinamit clinic to provide quality prenatal care in San Pablo. Our clinic also conducted home visits to mothers who had recently given birth, pro‐ viding them with monitoring and helping families develop a plan for the care of both the mother and child. We also expanded our education and distribution of contraceptive methods and made a valuable alliance with ALAS (Wings) Guatemala to give local women free access to long-term con‐ traceptive methods.

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Meet our In-house Videographer OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, ODIM has increased our efforts to utilize video cam‐ paigns as a tool to broadcast health informa‐ tion and education during the pandemic.

This year we trained local staff on video pro‐ duction and photography so that ODIM could produce our own videos One of those staff members is Juana, who sat down to tell us more about her experience.

Tell us a little about yoursel an what you o at ODIM My name is Juana jpan. I am 24 years old. At ODIM I am a Promoter of the High Impact Home Improvement (HIHI) Program. I started working at ODIM in October 2 19. e ore working at ODIM i you have any e erience with hotogra hy or vi eo ro uction?

The truth is that I had no experience, I didn’t know how to use a professional camera, I had no knowledge in this area at all.

What kin o training were you o ere

by ODIM? At ODIM I have learned many things, espe‐ cially about video production. They gave me the opportunity to receive classes with local photographers on how to take photographs as well as recording and editing videos.

After the classes I had, I started to record and edit videos. ow I know how or when to record a video, how to cut or join videos, add text, add background music, use transitions, apply sound effects, or add images. At first, I was afraid of not doing them well, but little by little, I’m learning more and with each video I make, I’m learning new things.

What kin o vi eos or ro ects have you been art o ? What are you ost rou o ?

The videos I have made are very important for the community I have been making videos 2 20

about COVID-19 and the vaccine, including videos for preg‐ nant or lactating mothers and about the vaccine and that their children should receive it.

I was also part of the videos of the Adolescent Health program where we were interviewing the participants to raise funds.

At the moment, we are working on videos where we talk about contraceptive methods.

The videos that I loved producing were when we inter‐ viewed the teens and their parents inside their homes we got to know our participants more, and they told us their expe‐ riences and the knowledge they got from the program without any hesitancy. I was also surprised about how open the parents were and the way they supported us. an you see the ositive i the co unity?

act these vi eos have ha on

es, because many people don’t have access to good informa‐ tion, especially in Mayan languages. I’ve heard positive com‐ ments from friends and relatives saying that our videos were sources of valuable information for them.

The videos are very important since we, as promoters, when giving a talk, can only share information with eight to ten people at a time because of our COVID safety protocols, but when a video is published, thousands of people can see it at once and thus we are able to transmit the information to a wider audience.

Why is it i ortant to share in or ation in this e iu vi eos ro uce in T utu il an S anish co are to sharing in or ation through te t?

I think it’s important to make videos in Tz utujil because in the community most people understand this language. We also take into account that in parts of Guatemala some people only speak Spanish and it’s important that these videos reach more communities in addition to San Pablo and San Juan La Laguna so we always add Spanish subtitles.

I think it’s easier to transmit information orally and through videos because now most people have a cell phone, and most have access to the internet and they pay more attention when information is transmitted orally.

I also think that we need to keep in mind that some people can t read so the only way for them to receive this informa‐ tion would be through this medium.

What has been the res onse o your a ily an to your vi eos?

rien s

My family and friends support me and have encouraged me to be able to work on these videos. When I started, I had no knowledge of filmmaking, but my family members encour‐ aged me by telling me that no one is born knowing every‐ thing we learn new things every day in life and every day we have new experiences. nything else you want to a

?

I am grateful to ODIM for this opportunity and for trusting me personally. I’m grateful to the people who gave me their support and shared their knowledge and I’m very happy to be part of the creation of these videos that are so important to the community.

#GivingTuesday Promotes Gender Equality in Rural Guatemala This year ODIM Launched a GivingTuesday cam‐ paign for Gender Equality to support our Adolescent Health program.

As part of our campaign, we filmed and produced videos with adolescent participants and their family members and launched an extensive social media campaign to share important statistics on the need for comprehensive sexual health education in Guatemala.

Thanks to the hard work of our Adolescent Health team, the participation of students and their families, and the loving support of our network of donors, we are excited to announce that this campaign raised over 17, in sup‐ port of Gender Equality in rural Guatemala Check out our videos on acebook ODIMGuate 21

REACHING DREAMS for…

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HUMAN RIGHTS with Lucia uc a is a recent graduate of the eaching reams rogram which rovides romising students in San a lo with academic su ort school su lies and tuition scholarshi s.

most of it. It’s important to educate ourselves so that we can have more economic possibilities and a stable life.

Tell e a little about yoursel ?

My parents always treated all of us kids equally, they never made me feel like I was less because I am a woman. They’ve always sup‐ ported me and kept me motivated.

My name is Luc a, I am 2 years old. I live in San Pablo with my parents, and I have been in the eaching Dreams program for three years.

What challenges have you ace in ursuing your e ucation?

My mom has diabetes, and she had a relapse so she’s sick. Since I’m the only one who can stay with her, I take care of her. I have siblings, but they are already married. either of my parents received this kind of educational opportunity. My father studied up to 4th grade and my mother never went to school. My father is a day laborer, and my mother is a homemaker.

ave you encountere any obstacles stu ying as a wo an?

What have you ost a reciate in being a artici ant in the rogra ?

I think when the pandemic started, and we created the hand san‐ itizer spray. This gave me a lot of experience in new areas like sales.

At the beginning I was very shy about going out to sell the spray because I’d never sold anything before, but I feel like now I have the confidence to be able to offer a product and speak to a person about it.

What otivate you to oin the Reaching Drea s Progra ?

What changes have you notice within yoursel in these last three years in the rogra both ersonally an aca e ically?

What motivated me was the opportunity to get a diploma and pursue my studies. I was interested in studying before, and then I met Paulina, the eaching Dreams Coordinator, and, thanks be to God, I’ve been able to obtain my diploma as a ilingual Secretary.

Well, not only have I gained a diploma but also my under‐ standing of lots of things has progressed. Personally, three years ago, I struggled to speak in public. or example, if I needed to introduce myself, I could barely share anything. I was not very social. ut now, it’s different, I talk with everyone

What a e you eci e you want to stu y this?

Now that you have gra uate what are your lans or the uture? Do you eel o ti istic?

I was deciding between other courses, but I decided on ilingual Secretary because, honestly, I like business administration but I’m not that great with numbers. I like working with others and working in the community.

What is your i eal uture career?

Well, the way I think about it, wherever there is an opportu‐ nity, that’s where I’ll go If it’s here in my town, or another town or even in another country, I would make the most of whatever comes.

To tell you the truth, I’d really like to travel to another country, like the nited States. According to what I’ve heard, there are more opportunities for work. Also, I’d like to get to know the culture, the people who live there and what they are like. ro your ers ective why is it so i ortant that we invest in e ucation s eci cally in San Pablo? ecause it’s very important that young people are able to go to school and can improve the quality of their lives and that of their parents. Many of our parents did not have that opportunity, so those of us who have the chance to study had better make the

I want to find work, go to university, and earn a degree in Human ights. We see many women suffering from violence from their spouses and I can’t bear to see that. Sometimes women are treated as less than equals. I am positive that I can keep progressing and I’m sure that through continuing my education at a university, I will be able to continue on this path.

Is there anything you’ like to say irectly to our onors?

I am grateful to all the donors, and I am truly very appreciative of them because they have helped me a lot. Even through the COVID-19 pandemic, they never abandoned us, and continued to support us. or anyone who is considering donating, they should definitely donate because the education that donors give us is a noble gesture on their part that helps us. Studying is not easy because it requires money, and in our community there aren’t many possibilities.

My scholarship has given me possibilities for the f uture that I never would have had. Thank you!

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Why We Became a Sponsor What oes being a s onsor ean or both o you an what value has it a e to your li e?

PEG: My first year, in 2 18, most of my interaction with the people of San Juan and San Pablo was in the clinic, in the shops, or on the streets headed to work or school. ut our first visit to a home in 2 19 to install a stove and water filter was eye opening. The poverty level is staggering. The instal‐ lation of a new stove and filter is truly life changing for these families. I think often we use those words lightly, but it is very much the case here.

I know our money is going directly to help families live healthier lives. Our visits to Guatemala have altered my views on poverty, wealth distribution, and immigration.

an you tell us a bit about what you receive ro ODIM about your s onsorshi each year?

PEG: I love seeing the faces and hearing the stories of the people we sponsor. We quickly got an introduction to the scholars after we signed up as sponsors. It will be exciting to see their progress as they continue their education.

We get an update with pictures of our healthy mama and her baby several times a year. The update is in the mother’s own words and it’s clear she recognizes the benefits of the program. Her baby will turn 2 very soon. The baby is beau‐ tiful, healthy, and developing nicely. It is a small amount of money given each month with a very large impact.

MARK: It is gratifying to see the benefits of our mother and child sponsorship. The communication brings a joy and a sense of relief that they are doing well. ave you ha the chance to eet the other an baby you s onsor? I so what was that e erience like?

PEG: We met our young mother in 2 19, the summer we began the sponsorship. She was very young, newly pregnant with her first child, and happy to be a part of a program where she could learn how to be a better mother. Her aunt was in the program already and she was eager to share the experience with her. eing in her home and hearing her story was such a contrast to our own daughter and daughter-inlaw’s pregnancy stories. It was a powerful moment for us.

MARK: It certainly helped me to see that we were going to have an impact on a real person.

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MARK: Sponsorship brings more of a one-on-one connection to how our giving is used. Knowing that a person(s) will benefit helps me to see that it’s about the people, not just a program.

Why shoul so eone rea ing this consi er beco ing a s onsor or ODIM? PEG: ODIM was created in response to a need for affordable and accessible medical care in the small, isolated mountain vil‐ lages. ecause so many of the people they saw in clinic had chronic health issues, as well as the underlying problem of mal‐ nutrition, they saw education as a way to lift the entire family.

I appreciate that ODIM has taken a bottom-up approach to health care and education. They employ local people and train and teach their clients to take control of their own health.

As a sponsor for ODIM, you know exactly where your money is being spent. ou know for whom it is being spent.

Giving an infant the nutrition they need or teaching seniors how to control their diabetes with diet and exercise, even teaching the adolescents about family planning and birth control will have a direct impact on the entire family, perhaps for generations to come.

MARK: One can give to ODIM and let them decide where the money needs to go but the sponsorship programs let people connect with one another and that’s a good thing. ny last wor s?

BOTH: We appreciate our partnership with ODIM. We have truly enjoyed our trips to the lake. Each one has been different, working with different staff members and partici‐ pating in different cultural activities. We look forwardto many more years working together.

COME BACK TO GUATEMALA Why We Need You More Than Ever!

The big challenge after the pandemic hit Guatemala has been getting our volunteer teams back in the field and serving our communities in need. This year we redesigned our volunteer opportunities, creating new and innovative experiences that will be life changing for our visitors and our family beneficiaries. We designed a specific COVID-19 health protocol for teams, which has helped us minimize risks and keep volunteers, staff, and community members safe.

What Can You Do At ODIM we seek to provide a unique experience of hospitality, focusing our activities on the sustainability of our programs in the communities where we work.

Adventure Teams: Do you love adventure and exploring the outdoors This is a great opportunity to experience Guatemala by kayaking, hiking, birding, and exploring the volcanoes and mountains that surround ODIM. As a member of an adventure team, you will be able to help ODIM raise funds, all the while you take part in incredible adventures in stunning Lake Atitl n, Guatemala. This is a rewarding way to give as it allows you to experience incredible moments while making a tangible social impact by supporting our community programs.

Medical Teams: Our medical teams are the epitome of the phrase life changing.

ODIM runs two medical clinics, and a dental clinic. All our clinical services are designed around the needs of the community members, many of whom struggle with many chronic health issues, such as diabetes and malnutrition. As a medical volun‐ teer, you get to use your medical expertise in a way that gives back and heals those who need it most. ou will work in our clinics, alongside our supportive local staff who will be eager to learn from you. ou will almost certainly be touched by the genuine warmth of the people you encounter. Help us bring high-quality healthcare to all Home Improvement Team: uild a better life for families literally As a Home Improvement Team member, you will install stoves and Ecofilter water filters to provide clean air and safe drinking water to families in San Juan and San Pablo La Laguna. These high impact installations are critical in reducing respiratory problems and digestive problems caused by contaminated air and water. We are counting on you to provide life changing effects for people in our communities. Our typical con‐ struction teams build between of 1 and 1 stoves a week, giving you the opportu‐ nity to be of maximum service The best part: you don’t have to have any prior con‐ struction experience. Our trained staff will teach you everything you need to know and get you into homes to make lasting, long-term changes.

Cultural Team: Immerse yourself in the Maya Tz’utujil culture by visiting com‐ munities along the shores of Lake Atitl n. On a cultural team, you might study a new language, learn about Maya cosmology, or study with a local artist or weaver in San Juan. ou will also learn more about the challenges faced in local communi‐ ties and how ODIM is working to help the people overcome those challenges. If you are passionate about learning about different cultures and want to have an authentic experience in the heart of the Mayan world, this opportunity is for you TO START ORGANIZING YOUR NEXT TRIP TO GUATEMALA, GET IN TOUCH WITH US VIA EMAIL at VOLUNTEER.COOR INATOR O IM UATEMALA OR

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ULTIMATE GUATEMALA CHALLENGE

The A enture of a Lifeti e ou are walking through a dense tropical jungle, scent of rain in the air. Above you exotic birds sound your arrival. Spider monkeys holler and dance on the branches above, waving their arms. A paw print in the mud signals a jaguar is near, can you hear it o, it’s not a dream, it’s the ltimate Guatemala Challenge ( GC) The Chal‐ lenge is our annual fundraising event, which takes participants through three incredible challenges (4 -mile jungle trek, hike up a volcano, and paddle boarding across Lake Atitl n) during an intense week that stays with you forever.

Why should you take part in the Challenge By taking part in this event, you will be funding the participation of more than 150 mothers and their babies in our “Healthy Mommy and Me” program. ow oes it work?

The total cost of each participant is 1, (which covers hotels, tour guides, food, internal ights, and shuttles). We ask each challenger to fundraise 3, . If you achieve your fundraising goal, ODIM will cover half of your registration, which means you only have to pay 5 to participate To take part, you need to be in good physical shape but you do not need to be an athlete This is a rewarding way to give as it allows you to take part in a once in a lifetime experience with a tangible social impact.

“The Ultimate Guatemala Challenge as a life changing e erience that tested my hysical and mental limits. I as surrounded by ama ing eo le that ins ired me through it.

All to su ort an ama ing cause and organi ation that has given me more than Iʼve given it.

ANDY W. 2021 UGC CHALLENGER

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR JOIN US! EMAIL US AT VOLUNTEER.COOR INATOR O IM UATEMALA.OR 26

ODIM

AMBASSADORS

$7,000

S on sor o one ur clinic mon s th

ODIM AM ASSADO S make a significant financial commitment to support the work of ODIM by pledging to donate 7, a year to cover the complete cost of both of our medical clinics for one month. Our Ambassadors give us the ability to plan for the future, safe in the knowledge that we will have funds for medical staff salaries, medicine, lab testing, subsidized patient care, and enough to pay the electricity bill

ODIM CLINIC AMBASSADORS JANUARY

KAY SOETAERT

FEBRUARY

PAULA SAUDER

MARCH

PAULA SAUDER

APRIL

PAUL COPPING RIM ENTERPRISES

MAY

WE NEED YOU!

JUNE

KAY SOETAERT

JULY

ANNIE ANDER

AUGUST

ANONYMOUS

SEPTEMBER

CHRISTOPHER

MICHELLE FORTNER

OCTOBER

CHRISTOPHER

MICHELLE FORTNER

NOVEMBER

CHRISTOPHER

MICHELLE FORTNER

DECEMBER

STEVE

ONLY 1 MONTH REMAINS! Please get in touch if you or your com any can sign u for the month of May.

TRACI KOON

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WHERE DO YOUR

DONATIONS GO REVENUES

or the fiscal year ending December 31 2 21 ( 371,531.74) Donations from Patients 2.72 — 10 105.74

Donations from ODIM Ambassadors 19.05 — 70 778.11

Donations from Individuals 20.27 — 75 321.39

Donations from Fundraising Events 11.98 — 44 505.70 Donations from Grants 5.45 — 20 251.19 Donations from Volunteer Teams 4.43 — 16 464.29 Donations from Cor orations 1.87 — 6 954.97

Donations from Cam aigns 21.65 — 80 442.21 Donations from S onsors 6.18 — 22.952.70 Donations from Churches Grou s 6.37 — 23 658.63

EXPENSES

or the fiscal year ending December 31 2 21 ( 347,2 9.47)

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Administrative 9.73 — 33 796.26

Healthy Mommy Me 8.40 — 29 152.51

Facility Care Mgmt.

11.93 — 41 419

Adolescent Health 4.47 — 15 516.65

Communications Dev. 9.38 — 32 573.30

“Letʼs Walk Together Scholarshi 6.43 — 22 329.50

Volunteer Coordination 3.89 — 13 520.55

“Reaching Dreams Scholarshi 4.34 — 15 085.27

Medical Clinic 28.76 — 99.858.79

High Im act House Im rovement 5.43 — 18 839.56

Dental Clinic 4.29 — 14 897.81

Entre reneur Program 2.94 — 10 220.08

SPECIAL

THANKS! OUR FINANCIAL PARTNERS California State niversity Los Angeles Colorado College Cynthia Lynn Grubb Living Trust Dirty Girl Adventures MPress LLC Medtronics oundation orthaven nited Methodist Church Human Development und .I.M Enterprises LLC enaissance Charitable oundation Soroptimist International Leiden Aurora Strawberry Jam GO The Advance General oard of Global Ministries of the nited Meth. Church nique atik ODIM ALLIES MAJOR DONORS Annie ander arbara and ick Payne Caroline Wilson Cat Kyle utledge Charles and Joanne Mills Chris and Michelle ortner Chuck and Clara Trimmer Dr. Martin Kanne Geralyn Smitherman Grant itchie, Jr. Greg achman Harvey and Terry axter Jack and Marti Soper James oye Jan Sanders Jean and obert Evans Jeannie ick Jensen Chip Cindy Luerding JoAna Dwyer K.J. Eckard Kay Soetaert Linda oxworthy Mary ob Harris Paul and Julie Copping Paula Sauder Phil and arbara Gibbs

on Wilhelm Kim atchelor Sandra Davis Sharon Gale Steve and Traci Koon Suzanne revard Thomas Vickie Kent Eaton West End MC

MAIA Mark Elmy The our Pillars Mayan amilies Mayanza Multicolores Guatemala ational Hospital of Solol and the government health centers of San Other ODIM Allies (Major Donors) Pablo, San Juan, San Pedro and San from 2020 not listed currently: Marcos La Laguna obert Cecelia esnik Operaci n Sonrisa Guatemala Proyecto Salud y Paz OUR TEAMS CHURCHES S P Atitl n West End MC, ashville, T Saving Mothers (Salvando Madres) East End MC, ashville, T Tropicana Hostel ather Dyer MC, reckenridge, CO Tui’k uch’ Lew (Helping the Earth) Trinity MC, Gainesville, L Vision Guatemala orthaven MC, Dallas, T St. Andrew MC, Highlands anch, CO WI GS Guatemala (Asociaci n Alas de Guatemala) Topeka Countryside MC, Topeka, KS Wuqu Kawoq Topeka irst MC, Topeka, KS Vida estaurant irst MC, Denton, T niversity Park MC, Dallas, T OUR EXPERTS irst MC Emporia, KS Dr. rieanne Kohrt, California State Platte Woods MC, Kansas City, MO niversity LA Moody Memorial MC, Galveston, T Teah Caine, MD Manichanh atts, PA-C OUR LOCAL PARTNERS Linda oxworthy, P AMI San Lucas Kim atchelor, MPH Amigos de Santa Cruz Casa Aq ab al Casa Materna Centro Maya Alma de Colores Days for Girls Guatemala EPS M Santa Lucia tatl n riendship ridge (Puente de Amistad) undamaya House of Jade (Casa de Jade) Hospitalito Atitl n Impacto Infinito International Hands in Service Johnson Sebastian ajil jpan/ Marley Studios Konojel La Iguana Perdida

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HOW YOU CA A A

Give someone a chance for a healthy life!

25

Fund a nurse for a day for the community

80

Pay for healthy food su lies every month for one family for a year

250

Make an educational video in T ʼutu il for local TV

350

Enroll a family into HIHI to receive education a safe stove and a ater lter

1,000 30,000

Fund a staff scholarshi to develo local skilled orkers

Fund our Se ual and Re roductive Health and Rights Pro ect to include access education and ghting taboos

Give online at odimguatemala.org/donate or mail a check to Martha Stowe (see page

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C

BOARD Organization for the Development of the Indigenous Maya is a S registered 5 1(c)(3) Our oard of Directors is responsible for guiding the strategic direction of the organization, and is accountable for our actions — legally, financially and morally.

The Board of irectors on Wilhelm, Ph.D. ev. Jeannie Jensen Jackie enjamin Jeremy Johnson, D.O. Harvey axter, J.D. Mary Harris, Ph.D. Paul Copping Amy Holly

President Secretary Treasurer

Ex o cio

DID YOU KNOW? Did you know that Lake Atitl n, Guatemala is surrounded by three volcanoes: Volcan Atitl n (3,537 m), Volcan Tolim n (3,158 m) and Volcan San Pedro (2,995 m) The villages around Lake Atitl n are also home to an astounding diversity of plant and animal life with 23 unique bird species and 798 unique plant species (Global ature und).

One of the most notorious bird species found locally is the uetzal — Guatemala’s national bird (and also the name of the Guatemalan currency) which can be found in the village of Santiago, Atitl n.

But don t take our word for it come see for yourself!

KEY LEADERS Our Key Leader Team is responsible for providing effective senior leadership to the organization, by developing our overarching strategy and ensuring its successful implementation.

The ey eader Team Amy Holly Stephany Gir n Pedro Mendez Am rica Castro Kimberly Celada Melyna Cholot o Julieta Tzaj Sarah Cronin Marta icay

Executive Director Director of Programs inance Manager Human Talent Manager Clinic Manager Manager of Community Health Education Programs Assistant Manager of Community Health Education Programs Manager of Communications undraising Volunteer Coordinator

or individual contact details go to www.odimguatemala.org/contact us

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ODIM GUATEMALA Cl nica Chuitinamit San Pablo La Laguna Solol Guatemala Cl nica San uanerita San Juan La Laguna Solol Guatemala odimguatemala.org OdimGuate guatemalaodim guatemalaodim

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