Sitemap

• -  Clinicas Maya
• -  Mission Statement
• -  Donation
• -  Brochure
• -  Map of Lake Atitlan
• -  Contact
• -  Where are we
• -  List of Needs
• -  Our Story
•   a note from our director

• -  Emergency Medical Services
• -  Neighboring Outreach
• -  Orphan Program
• -  La Casa de Luz- Dar la luz

Travelogue

• -  Traveling

• -  Trip July 04
• -  Trip December 2004/2005

• -  Trip December 2006

_____Newsletter______

a note from our director

A note from our Director

Cindy Waterman RN & Midwife

Hello Everyone, and greetings from Cindy Waterman. I wanted to share with you that I have retired from my “directorship” position with Clinicas Maya. It has been ten years that I first arrived in Guatemala on the Lake Atitlan. Somehow it seems more like a lifetime. One of many colors, flavors and lots of chilly peppers. When Manfred and I first decided to create Fundacion Clinicas Maya, the original clinic had been up and running for 3 years, so it seemed possible that in just a few more years the clinic and all the trained indigenous personnel would be ready to manage the clinic themselves,. This was the vision. During 2008 and 2009, we actively looked for another interested group to adopt Clinicas Maya to ensure the future success and Manfred and I could retire. Easier said then done. It was challenging with the current state of the worlds failing economic system. We were introduced to a local Guatemalan group who were interested in taking over the stewardship of our NGO, clinic, and programs. They were from a long standing, well established group of “microfunders”, who took a personal interest and thought they could also introduce “mirco funding” opportunities so needed in our lake area. After the adoption by this group took place, in a short 3 months, it became evident that this new group was not able to fulfill their obligations with Clinicas Maya. So in the intrum, Manfred decided to resume stewardship again and carry the clinic into a new future. All our loyal employes resumed their positions in the clinic and it has been business as usual since then.

  I have moved on and am ready to make my pilgrimage towards Brazil. I will take with me loads of photos and folklore and memories that have enriched my life. I plan to write about these experiences. It was a job well done.  

There now is a functional clinic in the community where there once was none; the Midwives have more skills and better equipment to meet the birthing demands of their families; the schools have an increase in attendance; the homeless and destitute families after Hurricane Stan , now enjoy new homes, belongings and livelihoods due to the increase in construction; there is a better sense of ecological support with pure water, gray water, chemicals, and trash; our medicinal plant gardens support the community with medicines and seed gathering; our orphans and their support families are learning better living and economic skills; the meshing of cultures and ways to live have gradually melded together in a symbiotic way. San Marcos has become a better place since I first moved there. And I believe that it will continue to grow and prosper.

 Clinicas Maya still needs your support for it's well being and I encourage all of you to email them, volunteer when you can and send donations. All your support really does make a difference. So good bye and perhaps we will meet again on the world tour.

Yours truely, cindy

 Print preview      Print the page