ODIM Guatemala Annual Report 2023

HOWWEWORK

AttheOrganizationfortheDevelopmentoftheIndigenousMaya (ODIM),weprovidecommunity-driven,high-quality,andcul‐turallycompetenthealthandeducationservicestotheindigenous communitiesofSanPabloandSanJuanlaLaguna,inGuatemala. Ourcomprehensivemedicalservicesincludetwoclinicsthatare staffedbyhighlytrainednursesandalocalphysician,whoare fluentinbothSpanishandTz’utujil,aswellasadentalclinic.Our teamofprofessionalsiscommittedtoprovidingexpertandcom‐passionatecaretoeverypatientwhoseeksourservices.Addition‐ally,ODIMoffersfivecommunityhealthandeducationprograms topreventillhealthandpromoteanelevatedqualityoflife.Our programsendeavortobeevidence-based,culturallyaligned,and multi-faceted.

AtODIM,foreignandlocalstaffworksidebyside,committedto improvingthelivesofthepeopleweserve.Weemploy34staffin thethreeneighboringcommunitiesofSanPablo,SanPedro,and SanJuanLaLaguna—23full-timeemployeesand11part-time. 88%ofourstaffareTz’utujilMaya,6%areGuatemalannationals (butnotTz’utujil)and6%areforeign.76%ofourstaffarewomen.

Vision: Tobeanationallyandinternationallyrecognizedleader inhealthcareandpreventativehealtheducation.

Mission:Toenableaccesstoprimaryhealthcareandpreventative healtheducationforthepopulation,withequality,honesty,and confidentiality,thatisfocusedonprogramsthatpromotethe developmentandempowermentofthecommunitiesofSanPablo andSanJuanLaLaguna.

TOMAKEADONATION

ONLINE: www.odimguatemala.org/donate

CHECKPAYABLETOODIM,MAILEDTO: MarthaStowe 1527WatersideCt. Dallas,Texas75218

Contactusatexecutive.director@odimguatemala.org or communications.manager@odimguatemala.org

EDITORIALSTAFF

Editor:VanessaHernández

GraphicDesign:AprilHull

Photos:KinchoFilmsandChristopherEdmonstone

Aspecialthankyoutoourprinter RalphMyersatMpress

©ODIMGUATEMALA2023

ALETTERFROM THEEXECUTIVEDIRECTOR

Withgreatpleasure,IsteppedintotheroleofInterimExecutiveDirector(ED)forthelast fewmonthsof2023.

HavingpreviouslyservedasODIM’sEDfrom2017–2021,ItookoverfromAméricaCastro whowasmovingontonewhorizons,andIgotthechancetotemporarilyjumpbackinto thecommunitiesofSanPabloandSanJuanwhilstODIMbeganitsexecutivesearch.

Sowhatstruckmemostaftertwoyearsaway?

1.Collaboration:

ODIM’sleadersworkwithatrulycollaborativeapproach.Ilovethisteam! Decisionsaremadeensuringthattherightpeopleareinvolved,withrepresenta‐tivesfromSanPabloandSanJuan,andwiththerightexpertiseandperspectives.

2.InnovationandCulturalSensitivity:

IwasthrilledtolearnallaboutODIM’sWomen’sHealthProgram,which focusesonthepreventionofcervicalcancer.Thisdiseasehasamortalityrate sixtimeshigherinGuatemalathanintheUnitedStatesduetoalackof facilitiesandculturalbeliefsaroundcervicalscreening.

ODIMstaffhasdevelopedwaystoaddressthedifficulttopicsso thatweareabletopushboundaries,problem-solve,and innovatewithinaMayaTz’utujilcontextinrural Guatemala.

3.Anincredibleopportunityforvisitors andvolunteers:

SanPabloandSanJuanaresuchmagicalplaces,and supportingODIMreallyoffersanamazingoppor‐tunityforvolunteersfromotherpartsoftheworld tolearnfromtheMayapeopleandtoparticipate increatingpositivechange.Thisissucharare opportunity,withsomanylessonstooffer.

VolunteerteamsworkonthefabulousHIHI program(page14),whichhasadominoeffect onhealth,economics,andtheenvironment. Individualvolunteerscanspendlongerperiodsin ourcommunitiesiftheyhaveaspecificskillanda commitmenttohelpingusraisefunds.

Asweshiftinto2024,weareallexcitedaboutcele‐bratingour2023accomplishmentsandseeingwhat thissmallbutpowerfulorganizationcanachievenext.

BestRegards,

AmyHolly, InterimExecutiveDirector

Empowersomeonewiththegiftofahealthylife! FOLLOWOURQRCODETOGIVEONLINE (www.odimguatemala.org/donate) ormailachecktoMarthaStowe(seepage3)

Fundanurseforadaytoprovideprimarycare

Payforhealthyfoodsupplieseverymonthfor

MakeaneducationalvideoinTzʼutujilforthe

CoverinsulintreatmentforapatientwithtypeII

Fundstaffscholarshipstodeveloplocalskilled

FundourSexualandReproductiveHealthand RightsProject;toincludeaccess,education,

OUR IMPACT!

2,576 medicalservices

315 newpatientsregisteredinourclinics

2,975 laboratorytests

44 PapSmeartesting

1,427 treatmentsfordiabetes(Metformin/Insulin)

629 antibiotictreatments

98 Bachflowertreatments

1,910 familyplanningmethodsdelivered

256 prenatalconsultations

13 specialtytrainingsformedicalstaff

758 dentalservices

448 patientsandprogramparticipantsserved

15 educationalworkshopsfor participants

100 toothbrushesdonatedto patientsinneed

133 mothersandbabiesenrolledintheprogram

919 foodvouchersdeliveredtomothers

77 workshopsconductedbyourhealth promoters

7 supportgroupsessionsformotherscarried outbyourhealthpromoters

22 mothersandtheirbabiesgraduatedafter 1,000daysintheprogram

64% ofthebabieswhograduatedfromour programwithahealthyheightandweight atage2

24 follow-upappointmentstochecktheheight andweightofbabies

330 programbeneficiaries

45% oftheparticipantshavecontrolledsugarlevels 173 foodvouchersdeliveredtodiabetespatients 6 housevisitscarriedouttovulnerablepatients 48 workshopscarriedoutbyourhealthpromoters 203 programbeneficiariesincludingfamilymembers

HIGHIMPACTHOME IMPROVEMENTS

FAMILIESENROLLED INTHEPROGRAM

HEALTH 81 waterfilters&70stovesinstalled 334 individualsobtainedaccesstosafedrinkingwater andcleanair

monitoring&evaluationinterviewscarriedout

waterfiltersdonatedtoschoolsinourcommunities 1,680 studentsbenefitedfromcleanwater

6,056 ADMINISTRATION

•Only9%wenttoadministration

•Promotionsweregivento5employees, and4newemployeeswerehired

•24%ofourstaffmemberswereawarded scholarshipsin2023tosupportour dedicatedteam’scareeranddevelopment intheareasofNursing,Administration, andEducation

47 adolescents,aged11–13,graduatedfromour five-monthcourse

54% ofouradolescentsweregirlsand46%wereboys

89% comprehensionofhealthtopicsattheendofthe program(comparedto38%atthestart)

111 individualsattendedour6externaleducational workshops

$110,400

$82,200 wasdonatedby5ODIMAmbassadors

$28,700 donatedby13ChurchesandGroups

$30,000 wasreceivedingrants

$38,200 wasraisedby7teamsofvolunteers

$8,000 wasreceivedintotalpatientdonations

THEDENTALCLINICTHAT CAMEANDCHANGED OURPERSPECTIVE WITHINCOMMUNITIES

IMPACT

OurdentalclinicisuniqueasitistheonlyoneintheSan PabloandSanJuanLaLagunacommunitiesthatoffers affordableprofessionaldentaltreatments,medication,and follow-upappointmentswithahighlyexperienceddentist whotrulycaresabouthispatients.

Wehelpanyoneseekingdentalattention,nomattertheirage, gender,oreconomicstatus,everyoneiswelcometoour services!

CHALLENGES

Dentalhealthawarenessisnotverycommoninourcountry. AccordingtoVillagrán(2019),anaverage12-year-oldchild inGuatemalahasbetween6and10teethwithcavitiesoutof the28teeththeyhaveanditisprojectedthatinashorttime, halfoftheirteethwillbeaffected,lost,orrequirefillingsdue tocavities.Thesenumbersarealarming!

ManyindividualslivinginGuatemalaarestillunableto accessprimaryhealthcareservices.Thisissuehasbeenexac‐erbatedbytheglobalCOVID-19healthcrisis,whichhas hadsignificanteconomicandsocialconsequencesforrural communities.Furthermore,thelimitednumberofdental clinicsinthecountry,combinedwithpeople'smisunder‐standingsaboutdentistry,makeitchallengingtomaintain gooddentalhealth.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Asignificantmilestonewasachievedwiththereopeningof ourdentalclinic,afterbeingclosedforapproximately18 monthsduetotheCOVID-19pandemic.Atthemoment, ourdentalserviceswereonlyavailablewhenMedicalVolun‐teerTeamswerevisitingus.Butnow,thankstotheeffort, commitment,andlogisticsfromourstaffandsupporters,we arethrilledtoannouncethatWE’REMOREREADY THANEVERtoprovidecomprehensivedentalcareforthe entirepopulation!

Anotherachievementwetakegreatprideinisbeingableto changethepatients'perspectivesstepbystep.Patientsoften cometotheirappointmentsseekingquickreliefbyhavingan achingtoothextracted.However,wehavestrivedtoeducate ourpatientsabouttheimportanceofseekingprofessional caretoeffectivelyrestoretheiroralhealth.Takingthetimeto explainthepatient'ssituationandthetreatmentsavailable beforetreatingthemhasbeenessentialinourwork,asithas allowedpeopletodiscoveranothersideofdentistry,which motivatesthemtoreturnandcontinuetakingcareoftheir teeth.Weareproudtobeapartofthistransformationandto empowerourpatientstomakeinformeddecisionsabout theiroralhealth!

GOALS

Weaimtoensurethateveryonehasequalandfairaccessto healthcare.Toachievethisgoal,wearedeterminedtoopena dentalclinicatourChuitinamitClinic,inSanPablola Laguna.Thiscommunityfacessevereresourceconstraints, whichhaveledtoacompletelackofprofessionaldentalcare. Asaresult,theresidentsareforcedtotraveltootherplacesto getdentalcareservices.Canyouimaginethedifficultyof livingwithoutaccesstodentalcare?

AtODIMwefirmlybelievethatpreventionisthekeyto changingpeople'sperspectivesaboutdentistry.However, therearestillmanymisconceptionsaboutdentalhealththat needtobeaddressed,andtothatend,wearefullycommitted tospreadingawarenessabouttheimportanceofdental health.Keepingthatinmind,weareworkingonthe "HealthySmiles"initiativewhichfocusesonpromotingpre‐ventiveactionsinthecommunity.Wearealsopartnering withlike-mindedorganizationsandindividualswhoshare ourvisionandmission.Wehavebeenworkingonthisinitia‐tiveforquitesometimenow,andweareconfidentthatwe willachieveourgoalsoon.

HEALTHYSMILES

Nowyou'reprobablywondering,whatisthe“Healthy Smiles”initiative?TheHealthySmilesprogrambuildsonthe existingworkofthedentalclinicbutfocusesoneducation andpreventativecare.Ourprimarygoalistoprovideeduca‐tiontoallODIMparticipantsandchildreninourcommuni‐tieswhiledevelopingapublicdentalhealthpolicyforthe community.

Themainideaistoimplementapreventiveinterventionthat willdirectlyimpactpeople'sdentalhealth.Weaimtoachieve astateofhealthwherepeoplenotonlyseektofixtheiraching teethbutalsopossesstheknowledgetopreventsuchprob‐lemsthemselvesbeforetheachingstarts.Thus,weaimto promotethenecessarycareandconditionssothatpeopledo nothavetocometoODIMforextractionsbutonlyfor cleaningsandpreventivecare.

Ourgoalistovisitschoolsandpubliccentersandeducate childrenandthecommunityaboutthemaindentalcarethey shouldtaketoliveahealthierandpain-freelife.Wewould liketofocusonchildrenbetweentheagesof6–12yearsold, astheyaretheonesintheprocessofchangingtheirteeth,pre‐paringthemforproperpreventativecareinthefuture.

Ifyou'dlikemoreinformationaboutvolunteeringinour dentalclinicpleasecontactourVolunteerCoordinatorat volunteer.coordinator@odimguatemala.org

LOOKINGFOR NEWDIRECTIONS

Inanexclusiveinterview,ODIM'sdynamicdirectorsdiscussthefutureoftheorganizationwithgreatpassion andenthusiasm.Dr.AndreaGarcia,thenewlyappointedExecutiveDirector,sharesherexceptionaljourney andthestrengthofODIM'steamwithInterimExecutiveDirector,AmyHolly.Joinusonthisinsightfuljourney asweexplorethenewhorizonsthatODIMispassionatelypursuing.

AmyHolly: Andrea,couldyoushareabitaboutyour journeythateventuallyledyoutotakethehelmatODIM?

AndreaGarcia: Certainly,Amy!Myjourneyhasbeen guidedbyapassionforhelpingothers.Initiallydrawnto Medicine,Isoonrealizeditwasmorethanjustacareer choice—itwasmymeansofpurposefullyrestoringhealth andwell-being.Studyingfoodinsecuritysparkedarealiza‐tionoftheurgencyforeducationandpreventativehealth.

Seekinggrowth,Iembracedresponsibilitiesbeyondthehos‐pital,venturingintoGuatemala'sruralcommunities.The challengesforgedstrongrelationships,honedeffectivecom‐munication,andfosteredcollaboration.In2020,Imovedto Sololá,wherethecalltojoinODIMresonatedtwoyearslater. AligningwithODIM'smission,myloveandcommitment harmonizewithmychildhoodpassionforaidingothers.

AmyHolly: Fromyourperspective,whatstandsoutthe mostabouttheODIMteam?

AndreaGarcia:Diversityisourstrength.Withover80%of ourteambeingnativeTz'utujil,workinginruralcommuni‐tiessharpensourorganizationalmissionandvision.Asa leader,theperspectivesofmydiverseteamareinvaluable. Ourteamrepresentsdifferentcountriesandtowns, enrichingourworkimmeasurably.Ifeelhonoredtobepart ofthistapestry,workingcollaborativelyfortheequalityof Tz'utujilcommunities.

AmyHolly:Now,howdoyouperceiveODIM'simpacton thecommunitiesofSanJuanandSanPablolaLaguna?

AndreaGarcia:WeareproudtosayODIM'simpactisgener‐ational.Fromeducating11-year-oldsonsexualandreproduc‐tiverightstoaiding60+year-oldswithtypeIIdiabetes,ourpro‐gramshavetouchednumeroushouseholds.Inregionswhere primaryhealthcareisscarce,ODIMfillsacrucialvoid.The trustbuiltovertheyearsstemsfromourrelentlesscommitment

toprogramandservicequality,makingODIMabeaconofhelp andguidanceforthecommunitiesweserve.

AmyHolly: Andwouldyouliketosharewithoursup‐porters,whatstrategicvisionguidesODIMinto2024?

AndreaGarcia: Ofcourse!ODIMaspirestobecomea nationallyandinternationallyrecognizedleaderincommu‐nity-drivenhealthcareandeducation.Weaimtofosterbetter relationshipsandcommunicationskills,providingcompas‐sionate,high-qualitymedicalanddentalservices,healthedu‐cation,andscholarshipprogramstotheindigenousMaya communities.Collaboratingwithvolunteers,donors,and alliessharingourvision,weempowercommunitiestoreach theirfullpotentialandenhancetheirqualityoflife.

AmyHolly: Finally,wealreadytalkedaboutourstrengths, impact,andvisionforthefuturebutthatisnotall.Foryou, whatchallengesdoesODIManticipatein2024?

AndreaGarcia: In2024,wefacechallengessuchaslimited resourcesandnewfundingopportunitiestoprovidecompre‐hensivehealthcareandeducationservices.Therepercussions oftheCOVID-19pandemic,extremeweatherevents,and politicalinstabilityalsoaffecttheregion'ssocioeconomiccon‐ditions.Addressingthesechallengeslocallyisourferventgoal, butweseekincreasedsupportfromlocalandforeignvolun‐teers,donors,andalliestorealizeourvisionofabetterworld.

AmyHolly:Anyfinalwordsyouwouldliketoadd?

AndreaGarcia:I'mfilledwithgratitudefortheunwavering support,dedication,andtirelesseffortsofoursupporters.To allofyou:THANKYOU!Yourunwaveringcommitmentto ourcauseistrulyinspiring.Together,wearemakingapro‐foundimpactonourcommunitiesandpavingthewayfora brighterfuture.Fromthebottomofmyheart,thankyou.

AmyHolly:Thankyousomuch,Andrea!

Thisyear,ODIMlaunchedacompelling#GivingTuesdaycampaignfocusedonempow‐eringwomenandfosteringhealthycommunitiestosupportourMedicalClinics. Asapartofourcampaign,weshowcasedpatienttestimonialshighlightinghowourclinics havepositivelyimpactedtheirlives.Additionally,weshedlightonthechallengesfacedby ourpopulationdailyduetolimitedaccesstohealthcareservicesinourruralcommunities. Thankstotheunwaveringsupportofourpatients,thededicationoftheBoardofDirec‐tors,andthegenerosityofournetworkofdonors,weareexcitedtoannouncethatthis campaignraisedover$24,000.Thesefundswillbeinstrumentalinensuringcontinued accesstoprimaryhealthcareservicesforthosewhoneedthemthemost.

OVERVIEWof PROGRAMS

TheOrganizationfortheDevelopmentoftheIndige‐nousMaya,orODIMGuatemalaprovidescommunitydrivenhealthcareandeducationintheindigenous townsofSanPabloandSanJuanLaLaguna.

ODIMoperatestwomedicalclinicsandoffersanarray ofservicestopatientsincluding,primarycare,prenatal care,diabetestreatments,medication,familyplanning, andlaboratorytesting.

Patientspayanominalfee(about$3),butnopatientsare turnedawayforlackoffunds.Ourclinicprovidesmore than3,000treatmentsayeartopatients,manyofwhom wouldotherwisenotbeabletoaffordtreatment.

ODIMalsooperatesadentalclinic,providingpatients withcleaning,fillings,andextractions. Todate,it remainstheonlydentalclinicofitskindintheregionto provideaffordablecare.Inadditiontooperatingmedical anddentalclinics,ODIMrunsfivecommunitypro‐gramsaddressingarangeofcommunityneedsincluding childhoodmalnutrition,scholarships,adolescent health,diabeteseducation,andsafestovesanddrinking water.Theseprogramsarebothevidence-basedandcul‐turallyalignedandareledbymembersofthecommu‐nityinbothSpanishandtheMayalanguageofTz’utujil.

ReachingDreams/AlcanzandoSueños

BUDGET:$29,620

INTERIMCOORDINATOR:JULIETATZAJ

ODIM’sfirstcommunityeducationprogram,“Reaching Dreams/AlcanzandoSueños”,wasfoundedin2008withthe goalofbreakingthecycleofpovertyforchildreninSanPablo LaLagunathrougheducationalscholarships.

Fouroutof10childreninSanPabloarenotinschool,and 80%ofthosewhoare,dropoutbefore6thgrade.The majorityoffamilieslist“lackoffunds”astheprincipalreason fornotbeingabletocontinuetheirchild’seducation.

Eachyear,thisprogramhelpspromisingjuniorhighandhigh schoolstudentsreachtheiracademicgoalsbyofferingscholar‐ships,fundedbygeneroussponsors,tocovertheirschool tuition,books,supplies,anduniforms.

ODIMscholarshipstudentsalsoreceivesupplemental tutoringbyODIMpromotersaswellascomplimentaryaccess toprimarymedicalanddentalcareinourclinics.Togiveback totheircommunity,studentsorganizemonthlycommunity serviceprojectsthatsupportlocalenvironmentalandconser‐vationeffortsintheirhometown.

Achievementsin2023:Wearethrilledtosharethatoneof ourscholarshipstudentsgraduatedfromhighschoolwithan accountingdiploma.Thismarksamilestoneasitisthefirst timeamemberofherfamilywillbeattendingcollege,which isthecoremissionofourprogram.Also,thankstothegen‐eroussupportofoursponsors,tenscholarshipstudentswill beabletocontinuepursuingtheiracademicgoals.Wesalute thehardworkanddedicationofthesestudentsandthe supportfromtheirfamiliesandsponsors.

Forjust$95amonth,youcansponsoroneofourstudentsin thescholarshipprogram.

Let’sWalkTogether/CaminemosJuntos

BUDGET:$31,945

COORDINATOR:KELLYMENDOZACHOLOTÍO

DiabetesisawidespreadhealthissueinGuatemalathat affects30%ofmenand27%ofwomennationally.

ODIM’s“Let’sWalkTogether”diabetesprogramprovides educationaboutlivinghealthywiththedisease,exercise, cookingclasses,andbi-weeklysupportgroups.Theprogram aimstoempowerparticipantstotakecontroloftheirhealth andlivethehealthiestlifepossible.Participantsalsoreceive healthconsultations,housevisits,regularglucoseandA1C checks,andextremelylow-costmonthlymedicines(at approximately$1.50permonth).

Eachyearwehelppatientswithdiabetesmanagetheirsymp‐tomsandlivehealthylives.

Achievementsin2023:Wemadeitourprioritytosupport the30%ofdiabeticpatientswhowereunabletocontroltheir glucoselevelsdespitefollowingthetreatment.Ourprimary goalwastoencouragethemtocontinuefollowingthe

treatment,inordertoachievethedesiredglucoselevels.We havealsowelcomednewpatientsandtheirfamiliestojoinusin supportgroups,exerciseclasses,andfollow-upappointments. Additionally,weprovidedseveralclinicalworkshopsand medicalappointmentsfacilitatedbyexcellentforeigndoctors.

YoucansponsoraparticipantinCaminemosJuntosfor $35amonth.

HealthyMommy&Me/MamáyYoSaludable

BUDGET:$46,710

COORDINATOR:ROSARIOLEJA

ODIM’s“HealthyMommy&Me”programwasfoundedin 2015aspartoftheglobalmovement:“1,000DaystoChange theLifeofaChild”.Eachyearweworkwithatleast120 mothersandtheirbabies.Guatemalahasoneofthehighest ratesofmalnutritionintheworld,with47%ofchildren

underage5sufferingfromchronicmalnutrition.Thelongtermconsequencesfortheirphysicalhealthandintellectual developmentaredevastating.Theprogramincludesfour methodsofintervention:prenatalandpostnatalhealthcare formothersandinfantsuptotwoyearsofage,education focusedonchilddevelopmentandhealthynutritionusing localfoodsources,amonthlydistributionofnutritionalsup‐plements,andmonthlysupportgroups.

Achievementsin2023: ODIMhealthpromoterscon‐ducted12heightandweightsessions,fosteringthehealthy developmentofchildreninbothtowns.Wecelebratedthe graduationof22childrenandtheirmothersfromthe program,whilealsowelcoming34pregnantwomen. Remarkably,64%ofthechildrenachievedappropriateheight andweightfortheirage,withtheremaining36%progressing towardsthisgoal.Overtheyear,weprovided919nutritious foodvouchers,prenatalvitamins,andsupplementsforchil‐drenwithgrowthissuestoall133participants.

Forjust$55amonth, youcansponsoramotherandchild inthisprogram.

AdolescentHealth/SaluddelAdolescente

BUDGET:$32,544

COORDINATOR:BETTYPÉREZ

Guatemalahasoneofthehighestratesofteenagepregnancy inallofCentralAmerica.84%ofwomeninGuatemalahave theirfirstchildbeforetheyreachage20,oftenearlier.Mean‐while,thepublicschoolcurriculumoftentruncatesoromits topicsonsexualeducation,anddiscussionregardingtopics

ofsexisataboosubjectinhouseholdsofthecommunities wherewework.

ODIM’sAdolescentHealthempowersyouthinSanPablo andSanJuanlaLagunathroughcomprehensivesexual healtheducation.Participantslearnaboutgenderequality, consentinrelationships,humanrights,sexualorientation, birthcontrolmethods,physicaldevelopment,andmental health.Plus,theybecomepeereducatorsintheircommuni‐ties.Wealsoprovideeducationforparents,familymembers, andteachers.

Achievementsin2023: Forty-sevenadolescentsfromthe twocommunitiesgraduatedfromthefive-monthcourse.In SanPablolaLaguna,theparticipantsincreasedtheirknowl‐edge,asmeasuredbypreandpost-tests,from38%to97%.In SanJuanlaLaguna,theincreasewasfrom38%to80%. ODIMpromotersalsoled6workshopsinschoolsabout SexualRightswithatotalof22teachersand89students,to teachthecommunityaboutfamilyplanningmethods, consent,andsexualharassment.

HighImpactHomeImprovements(HIHI)/ ViviendaSaludable

BUDGET:$45,959

COORDINATOR: JUANAUJPAN

Foundedin2018,ODIM’sHighImpactHomeImprove‐mentprogramaimstoimprovethehealthoflow-income familiesinSanPabloandSanJuanthroughimpactfulhome interventions.Familiesinourprogramreceiveefficient, wood-burningstovesthatreduceoreliminatesmokeinthe homesandEcofiltrowaterfilters,whichreduceandeliminate thenumberofbacteriaindrinkingwater.Thesetwohome interventionscombattheprevalenceofrespiratoryand intestinalillnessescausedbytoxicsmokeinhalationandcon‐sumptionofcontaminatedwater.Eachfamilyalsoreceives sixeducationalsessionstolearnhowtouseandmaintain theseinterventionsaswellasstrategiestomaintaintheoverall healthandhygieneofthehome.

Achievementsin2023: Atotalof70householdsinSan PabloandSanJuanreceivedstovesandEcofiltros.Thissur‐passedourinitialgoalof47,allthankstothededicationofour volunteers.Asaresult,334individualsinourcommunities

havedirectlybenefited.Furthermore,ourhealthpromoters conducted131monitoringvisitstohouseholdsthathadprevi‐ouslyreceivedstovesandfilterstoensuresustainedbenefits. Additionally,ODIMandEcofiltrojointlydonated16water filterstoschoolsinbothtowns,impactingover1,600students andpromotingaccesstocleandrinkingwater.

For$470youcanprovideanOnilstove,Ecofilter,andclasses foronefamily!

MedicalClinics

BUDGET:$79,227

ADMINISTRATOR(MedicalandDental): MELYNACHOLOTÍO

Ourtwomedicalclinicsprovidehigh-quality,culturallycom‐petent,affordableprimaryhealthcaretothepopulationsof SanPabloandSanJuanlaLaguna.Theprovidersincludebilin‐gualSpanish/Tz’utujil-speakingnursesandaphysicianlocalto thecommunity.Patientsusuallypayadonationof$3,though nooneisturnedawayforlackoffunds.

Achievementsin2023: Thisyear,weprovidedover2,500 medicalconsultationstomorethan315newpatientsinboth ourclinics.Thishighlightsthegrowingneedforaccessible primaryhealthcareservicesinourcommunities.Wealso achievedasignificantmilestonebyputtingintoactionour Women'sHealthInitiative,whichincludedconducting44 successfulpapsmeartests—aservicepreviouslyunavailable inourcommunities.Alongwiththesescreenings,wealso focusedoneducatingwomenabouttheimportanceofearly detectioninpreventingcervicalcancer.

DentalClinics

BUDGET:$31,167

DentistryinGuatemalaischaracterizedbybeingexpensive anddifficulttoaccess.Ourdentalclinicremainstheonlyone ofitskindwithinSanPabloandSanJuanlaLagunacommu‐nities,providingcleaning,fillings,restoration,pulptherapy, andextractionsservicestoallpeople.Ourmaingoalisto teachpeoplethatitisbettertotakecareoftheirteeththanto trytofixthem.Manypatientscometohavetheirteeth extractedandareverysurprisedwhenweshowthemthatour jobistheopposite:Strivetosavethem!

Achievementsin2023:Duringtheyearweconductedover 400consultationsandadministeredmorethan700treat‐mentsincludingcleaning,filling,restoration,extractions, pulptherapy,andfluorideapplication.Onesignificant achievementwasorganizingdentalcareworkshopsforpartic‐ipantsofallagesinourprograms,whichemphasizedthe importanceofpreventivemeasuresandregularcheck-upsto improvetheiroralhealth.

TRANSFORMINGHOMES forHealthierfutures

LetusintroduceyoutoMariaXajil.Shewasbornandraised inSanPablolaLaguna,whereshestillliveswithherhusband andchildren.Mariaisakindandlovingwomandedicatedto takingcareofherhome.Herhusband,JuanCuc,worksasa laborer,toilinginthefieldsdayinanddayout.It'sajobthat demandsstrengthandlonghours,buthedoesittoearn enoughdailyincometofeedhisfamily.Unfortunately,they belongtothe85%ofthepopulationlivinginpovertyinSan PablolaLaguna.

Mariaandherfamilyhavebeenusingopenfirestocookfor manyyears,whichhasresultedintheminhalingsmokedaily.In Guatemala,overhalfofthepopulationusesfirewood,andmost ofthemdosooveropenflames.Openfireshaveveryharmful effects,notonlyonfamilies'financesduetothecostoffirewood butalsoontheenvironmentduetodeforestation.However, theirbiggestimpactisonpeople'shealth.Smoke,accordingto theWorldHealthOrganization,increasesrespiratoryillnessesby 31%,whichinGuatemalaistheleadingcauseofmortalityin childrenunder5yearsold.

ButthisyearbroughtabigchangeforMariaandherfamily!All thankstoourinvaluablevolunteersandtheHighImpactHome Improvements(HIHI)program.

Foundedin2018,theHIHIprogramaimstoimprovethehealth oflow-incomefamiliesthroughimpactfulhomeinterventions. Familiesenrolledinourprogramreceiveefficient,wood-burning stovesthatreduceoreliminateindoorsmoke.Inaddition,they areprovidedwithwaterfiltersthateliminateorreducethe numberofharmfulbacteriaindrinkingwater.

MariawasexcitedtojointheHIHIprogram.Shewenttoallthe trainingsessions,learned,andwaitedeagerlyforthevolunteer teamtoarrive.Acoupleofmonthslatertheteaminstalledthe Onilstoveandherdreambecameareality.

NowMariaandherfamilyhaveanefficientstovewitha chimneythatsignificantlyreducestheamountofsmoke indoors,improvingthequalityofairthattheybreathe.Thisis especiallyimportantasitlessenstheriskofrespiratorydiseases andburns.Moreover,thestovehasresultedina70%reduction inwoodusage,whichhashelpedtheirhouseholdeconomy. Butthat'snotall!

Thankstotheirnewwaterfilter,thefamilyisnowableto consumesafewaterallthetime.Theyareextremelyhappybecause thefiltereliminates100%ofbacteria,parasites,andsolids,aswell as100%ofchlorine,whichreducestherisksofwaterborne diseases. Withthehelpofthiswaterfilter,theyarenowableto purifyrainwaterandwaterfromothersourcesforfree.Thisnot onlyhelpstoensureunlimitedaccesstosafewaterbutalsosaves themvaluableeconomicresourcessincetheynolongerhavetobuy weeklywaterbottlesforcooking,drinking,andotherpurposes.

Thegenerosityofourincrediblevolunteersandthehardworkof ourHIHIteamhavemadeasignificantimpactonthelivesof Maria,Juan,andtheirchildren.Thankstotheirefforts,thefamily isnowabletoliveahealthierlife,somethingthatonceseemedout ofreach.Seeinghowsmallactsofkindnesscanmakeabigdiffer‐enceinpeople'slivesisheartening.Thefamilyexpressestheirdeep gratitudetoallwhosupportedthemthroughtheprogram,witha meaningful"Maltyoox"("Thankyou"inT'zutujil).

WHYSHOULDYOUCOMETO GUATEMALA?

Lifeisanexcitingjourneythatweembarkonthroughourexperiences.Ifyouthinkyouhave alreadyexperiencednatureandculturetothefullest,thenyouneedtovisitGuatemala!Here, youwillfindeverything—frommountains,volcanoes,bluelakes,andbeautifulsunsetsto delicioustraditionalcuisineandfriendlyfamilieswhowillremindyouofthewarmthand kindnessthatconnectsusall.

WHAT'SNEXT?

Weknowyourdesiretocomevisitus,whichiswhywehavecreatednewpersonalizedvolunteer opportunities!Whetheryouarevisitingaloneorwithagroup,thisexperienceissuretochange yourlifeandimpactthelivesofthefamilieswesupport.Yourhelpisvital!

ODIMwilltakeallnecessarymeasurestoensurethesafetyofeveryoneinvolvedwhilecar‐ryingoutcommunitysupportactionsthathavearealandsustainableimpactonfamilies.But that'snotall!IfyouareadventurousyouwillhavetheopportunitytoexploreLakeAtitlanby kayaking,hiking,weaving,birding,visitingartgalleries,learningaboutcoffeeorbees,andpar‐ticipatinginaMayanCeremony;thatallowsyoutoexperiencenatureorcultureondifferent levels.Atthesametime,youwilllearnaboutthechallengesfacedbylocalruralcommunities andhavetheopportunitytogeneratesocialimpactthroughODIMprograms;ofcourse,side bysideoftheMayancommunity!

HomeImprovementVolunteer: Buildabetterlifeforfamilies…literally!AsaHome ImprovementTeammember,youandagroupwillinstallstovesandprovidewaterfiltersfor MayafamiliesinSanJuanandSanPabloLaLaguna.Thesehigh-impactinstallationsarecriticalin reducingrespiratoryproblemsanddigestiveproblemscausedbycontaminatedairandwater.We arecountingonyoutoprovidelife-changingeffectsforpeopleinourcommunities.Ourtypical constructionteamsbuildbetween10and16stovesaweek,givingyoutheopportunitytobeof maximumservice!Thebestpart:youdon’thavetohaveanypriorconstructionexperience.Our trainedstaffwillteachyoueverythingyouneedtoknowandgetyouintohomestomakelasting, long-termchanges.

MedicalVolunteer:Helpusbringhigh-qualityhealthcaretothecommunities!Ourmedical volunteersaretheepitomeofthephrase“life-changing”.ODIMrunstwomedicalclinicsand adentalclinic.Allourclinicalservicesaredesignedaroundtheneedsofthecommunity members,manyofwhomstrugglewithmanychronichealthissues.Whetheryouareworking inagrouporalone,youwillgettouseyourmedicalexpertiseinawaythatgivesbackandheals thosewhoneeditmost.Youwillworkinourclinics,alongsideoursupportivelocalstaffwho willbeeagertolearnfromyou.Youwillalmostcertainlybetouchedbythegenuinewarmthof thepeopleyouencounter.

Professionalvolunteer:Wearehappytowelcomevolunteerswhocanjoinusforaday,a week,orevenseveralmonths.AtODIM,youcandevelopyourskillswhileenjoyingthescenic beautyofLakeAtitlán.Allwhilemakingapositiveimpactonthecommunitybypartici‐patinginourdifferentprograms.IfyoucanspeakSpanishandhavethedesiretomakeadiffer‐ence,wewouldlovetohaveyouonboard!Toparticipateinthisopportunity,youwillneedto raise$1000duringyourtimewithus,thiswilldirectlyhelptheprogramofyourchoice.But don'tworry,wewillprovideyouwithallthenecessaryassistancetohelpyouachievethisgoal.

WhyDoWeBecomeAmbassadors? WithSandyDavis

1.CouldyoupleaseshareabitaboutyourjourneywithODIM,fromyourinitialinvolvementasavolunteerto eventuallybecominganAmbassador?

MyhusbandPhilandIhavealwaysbeenstrongadvocatesforvolunteerwork.Hehasencouragedandsupportedmetovolunteer formissions,bothlocallyintheUSandabroad.Overtheyears,I'verepresentedourfamilyonseveralmissiontrips,including thoseaccompanyingyouth(includingsomeofourchildren)inFirstUMCinMartin,Tennesseeontheirmissiontrips.

WelivedinTennesseeforover40yearsandevenwhenwemovedbacktoColoradotobeclosertoourextendedfamily,our commitmenttoserviceremainedunwavering.Phil'sencouragementledmetoODIMGuatemalawiththeFatherDyerUMC Team,evenwhenIwasalreadycommittedtoanothermissiontrip.Sincethen,I'vevisitedODIMseveraltimes,contributing toprojectslikebuildinghomesandsettingupefficientstovesandwaterfilters.Ithasbeenaprivilegetoconnectwiththepeople ofSanJuanandSanPablo.

2.WhathavebeenthemostrewardingaspectsofbecominganAmbassador?

ODIMholdsaspecialplaceinmyheartbecauseofitsempoweringmodel.Seeinglocalshiredandgivenopportunitiesfor advancementwithintheorganizationistrulyinspiring.Moreover,witnessingleadershippositionsbeingheldbymembersof theMayacommunityhasbeenincrediblyrewarding.It'satestamenttotheorganization'scommitmenttoinclusivityand communitydevelopment.

3.Howhasbeinganambassadorimpactedyourfamilyandpersonallife?

Communityprogramshavealwaysbeenclosetomyheart.Fornearly50years,I'vebeeninvolvedwithLaLecheLeague,sup‐portingwomeninbreastfeedingandpromotinggoodnutritionforchildrenandparentsalike.Additionally,asaformerrunner, biker,andwalker,Iunderstandtheimportanceofphysicalandmentalwell-beingthroughexercise.Beinganambassadorfor ODIMhasallowedmetointegratemypassionsforcommunityserviceandhealthadvocacy,enrichingbothmypersonaland familylife.

4.WhatwouldyousaytosomeonereadingthiswhomaybeconsideringbecominganambassadorforODIM?

DuringmyvisittoODIMinDecember2022,itbecameevidentthattheyneededambassadorsfortheupcomingMarch.Phil andIcoincidentallycelebratedourbirthdaysinMarch,soitfeltlikeameaningfulwaytohonorourfamilywhilesupportinga causewedeeplybelievein.

Havinghadaccesstohealthcareandeducationthroughoutourlives,werecognizetheimportanceofextendingtheseopportu‐nitiestoothers,especiallytothechildren,youth,andadultsofSanJuanandSanPablolaLaguna.Wearegratefulfortheability tofinanciallysupportODIMatthistime,andIencourageotherswhoareabletodothesame.TheimpactofODIM'swork onthecommunityistrulyremarkable,andeverycontribution,bigorsmall,makesadifferenceinthelivesofthosetheyserve.

ODIM AMBASSADORS

$7,500 Sponsorourclinics onemonth

OurAmbassadorsareourmostpreciousdonors.Theymakeasignificantfinancialcommitmentto supporttheworkofODIMbypledgingtodonate$7,500ayeartocoverthecompletecostofour medicalclinicsforonemonth.OurAmbassadorsgiveustheopportunitytosuccessfullyplanfor thefuture,safeintheknowledgethatwewillhavefundsformedicalstaffsalaries,medicine,lab testing,andenoughtopaytheelectricitybill!

ODIMCLINICAMBASSADORS

2023

JANUARY KAYSOETAERT

FEBRUARY WENEEDYOU!

MARCH PHILANDSANDYDAVISFAMILY

APRIL PAULCOPPING,RIMENTERPRISES

MAY PAULCOPPING,RIMENTERPRISES

JUNE WENEEDYOU!

JULY WENEEDYOU!

AUGUST ANONYMOUS

SEPTEMBER CHRIS,MICHELLE&THEFORTNERFOUNDATION

OCTOBER CHRIS,MICHELLE&THEFORTNERFOUNDATION

NOVEMBER CHRIS,MICHELLE&THEFORTNERFOUNDATION

DECEMBER WENEEDYOU!

MONTHS

2024! Please getintouchif youoryour companycan signupto supportour workwithinthe communities.

ULTIMATE GUATEMALA CHALLENGE TheAdventureofaLifetime

Canyouimaginebeingatouristwhileyouradventureadvocatestoprevent malnutritioninruralareasinGuatemala?Thisisyouropportunity!

Pictureyourselfonatrekthroughcloudforests,coffeegroves,andruralvil‐lages;orgettoseethesunrisefromthetopofoneofthehighestvolcanoesin CentralAmerica…Notyourstyle?Whatifweaddadipintofreshwaterfrom themostbeautifullakeyou’lleversee?Soundslikeoutofamagazinebutit’s ourULTIMATEGUATEMALACHALLENGE!

TheChallengeisourannualfundraisingeventwhichtakesparticipants throughthreeincrediblechallenges(hikeupavolcano,city-to-lakecrosstrek, andpaddleboardingacrossLakeAtitlan)duringanintenseweekthatstays withyouforever.

Whyshouldyoutakepart?

Bytakingpartinthisevent,youwillbefundingtheparticipationof morethan100mothersandtheirbabiesinour“HealthyMommyand Me”program.ThisprogramcouldnotbemorerelevantinGuatemala, wheretheratesofchronicmalnutritionaresomeofthehighestinthe worldandthehighestinLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean.

Howdoesitwork?

Thetotalcostofeachparticipantis$700,whichcovershotels,tourguides, food,andtransportation.Weaskeachchallengertotrytofundraiseanaddi‐tional$3,500tosupportthe“HealthyMommyandMe”program.Ifyou achieveyourfundraisinggoal,ODIMwillcoverpartofyourregistration, whichmeansyouonlyhavetopay$500toparticipate!

Totakepart,youneedtobeingoodphysicalshape…butyoudonotneedto beanathlete!Thisisarewardingwaytogiveasitallowsyoutotakepartina once-in-a-lifetimeexperiencewithatangiblesocialimpact.

WHEREYOUR DONATIONSGO

TOTALREVENUE

ForthefiscalyearendingDecember31st2023

$353,977

DonationsfromPatients

2%—$8,008

DonationsfromIndividuals

31%—$110,459

DonationsfromCampaigns

7%—$26,128

DonationsfromSponsors

6%—$20,729

DonationsfromChurches/Groups

8%—$28,716

DonationsfromODIMAmbassadors 23%—$82,203

DonationsfromFundraisingEvents 1%—$4,215

DonationsfromGrants 8%—$30,005

DonationsfromVolunteerTeams 11%—$38,249

DonationsfromCorporations 1%—$5,266

EXPENSES

ForthefiscalyearendingDecember31st2023

($421,251)

Administrative

9%—$39,395

FacilityCare&Mgmt.

11%—$46,892

Communications&Dev.

6%—$24,709

VolunteerCoordination

3%—$13,079

MedicalClinic

19%—$79,228

DentalClinic

7%—$31,167

HealthyMommy&Me

11%—$46,710

AdolescentHealth

8%—$32,544

“LetʼsWalkTogether”Diabetes 8%—$31,945

“ReachingDreams”Scholarship 7%—$29,621

HighImpactHomeImprovement 11%—$45,959

SPECIAL THANKS!

OURFINANCIALPARTNERS

AlpineAirSupportSwitzerland

CaptainDre’s

CityViewFoundation

ColeFamilyFoundation

DirtyGirlAdventures

FortnerFamilyFoundation

MedtronicFoundation

MPress

NorthavenUnitedMethodistChurch MissionandJusticeFund

RIMEnterprisesLLC

TheAdvance|UnitedMethodist

GeneralBoardofGlobalMinistries

VeriskAnalytics

WeAssist

ODIMALLIES(MAJORDONORS)

BarbaraandNickPayne

BrieanneKohrt

Catherine&KyleRutledge

CharlesKoetting

ChrisandMichelleFortner

Luerdingfamily

Dr.MartyKanne

FatherDyerUnitedMethodistChurch

GregBachman

HarveyandTerryBaxter

HenryandMaryEllenIrving

JeanandRobert"Bob"Evans

Jeannie&RickJensen

JeanneMathiesen

JoAnaDwyer

JonSpivak

KaySoetaert

LindaFoxworthy

ManichanhRatts

MaryandBobHarris

MissyandHopeNelson

NelmaWelch

PaulandJulieCopping

PegandMarkHartung

PeterLewis

PhilandBarbaraGibbs

Revs.JackandMartiSoper

RobertEvans

RonWilhelm&KimBatchelor

RuthSchovajsa

SandraandPhilDavis

SharonGale

SuzanneBrevardThomas

Vickie&KentEaton

WestEndUnitedMethodistChurch

ODIMʼS TEAMS&CHURCHES

CaféQuetzal

CountrysideUnitedMethodistChurch

DirtyGirlAdventures

FatherDyerUnitedMethodistChurch

FirstUnitedMethodistChurchof Denton,Texas

ManitowocLakeshoreUMC

MountPleasantUMC

NorthavenUnitedMethodistChurch

OskaloosaUnitedMethodistWomen

PlatteWoodsUnitedMethodistChurch

St.AndrewUnitedMethodistChurch

TrinityUnitedMethodistChurch

UniversityUMCUnitedMethodist Women

WesleyUnitedMethodistChurch

WestEndUnitedMethodistChurch

ODIMʼS LOCALPARTNERS

AlmadeColores

AmigosdeSantaCruz

AzoteaDeli

CasaMaterna

CentroMaya

CooperativaNuevoHorizonte Ecofiltro

ElDirectorio

FlorIxcaco

GuatemalaMinistryofHealthand SocialAssistance(Publichealthcare clinicsinSanPabloand SanJuanlaLaguna)

HospitalitoAtitlan

HouseofJade

MAIA

SavingMothers

SUPAtitlan

UniversidadSanCarlosdeGuatemala UniversidadMesoamericana

WINGSGuatemala

OUREXPERTS

AlmaPioquinto

AmyHolly

AprilHull

CarolynBoley

Dr.BrieanneKohrt,CaliforniaState UniversityLA

DuniaLuciaRoncalDuque

ElaineBennett,Ph.D

KianaHarish

KimBatchelor,MPH

LindaFoxworthy,FNP

ManichanhRatts,PA-C

MaríaAlejandraGuizlerBonilla

NicolasCumez

TeahCaine,MD

TreyHarrell,MD

VickieEaton

BOARD

OrganizationfortheDevelopmentoftheIndigenous MayaisaUSregistered501(c)(3)

OurBoardofDirectorsisresponsibleforguidingthe strategicdirectionoftheorganization,andisaccountable forouractions—legally,financially,andmorally.

TheBoardofDirectors

RonWilhelm,Ph.D.........................................President

Rev.JeannieJensen..........................................Secretary

JackieBenjamin................................................Director

JeanneMathiesen.............................................Treasurer

HarveyBaxter,J.D...........................................Director

PaulCopping...................................................Director

LindaFoxworthy..............................................Director

KEYLEADERS

DIDYOUKNOW?

LAKEATITLÁN,whereourclinicsarelocated,isone ofthemostpopulartouristattractionsinGuatemala? Itisevennominatedforconsiderationasoneofthe sevenwondersoftheworld.Thislakeemergedaround 84,000 yearsagoafteravolcaniceruptionandis situated1,500metersabovesealevel.Itis18kilometers longandreachesdepthsofupto341meters,makingit thedeepestlakeinCentralAmerica.

OurKeyLeaderteamisresponsibleforprovidingeffectiveseniorleadershiptotheorganization, bydevelopingouroverarchingstrategyandensuringitssuccessfulimplementation.

TheKeyLeaderTeam

AmyHolly.............................................InterimExecutiveDirector

AndreaGarcía.......................................MedicalDirector

PedroMéndez........................................FinancialManager

AnaSilviaSosa.......................................HumanResourcesManager

MelynaCholotío...................................DirectorofCommunity&ClinicalPrograms

JulietaTzaj.............................................CommunityHealth&EducationProgramsManager

VanessaHernández...............................CommunicationsManager

CristhianFernandez..............................FundraisingManager

VanessaQuesada...................................VolunteerManager

Forindividualcontactdetailsgoto: www.odimguatemala.org/contact-us

ODIMGUATEMALA

ClínicaChuítinamit,SanPabloLa Laguna,Sololá,Guatemala

ClínicaSanjuanerita,SanJuanLa Laguna,Sololá,Guatemala

odimguatemala.org

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