Stories

15+ years ago, a Peace Corps worker in the department of el Quiché met a family with a smart, lovely daughter who was not able to lead a normal life as she was confined to her bed. Amigos de Guatemala founders, Jan and Bob Hatmaker, were in the same area when the Peace Corps worker was searching for a way to help this young girl. Eventually, they were able to take Miriam to a Doctors Without Borders clinic for treatment. It was discovered that she had numerous tumors that prevented her organs from functioning. After surgery, Miriam and her family were sent home with all of the catheters available – a two week supply. This lifesaving piece of equipment is not readily available in Guatemala and those that are tend to be for men. Every year, Amigos de Guatemala volunteers bring to her a year’s worth of catheters donated by Cure Medical so that she can live another life.