Discussions with Elisabeth, Professor Botto, and Doug Wendt

I wanted to post some of the things some amazing people have told me about health in and background about Maya Guatemala.
The first involves an interview with Elisabeth Hess, a BYU student who went to Guatemala and took excursions to the Maya villages of K'iche descent. She told me the biggest problems they have faced are job security and food security; in other words, it is quite difficult to save anything for the family.
She said that diarrhea was a huge problem because the water is not sanitary in certain areas. Also, the teeth of even the children are rotting. The men work in the cities, leaving the women in rural areas behind for periods of time. There are twenty three national languages there, and there are many market days. Unfortunately, during rainy season the roads become really muddy, making travel to governmental clinics very difficult.
Lastly, she said that despite their struggles, they are incredibly hard-working.
Next, I talked with Malcolm Botto, a head professor over the Kennedy Center at BYU. He has been to Guatemala among the Mayans and told me he did know of a nurse that works there who can tell me more about Maya health care history. He told me the health care situation in Momostenango is not good and should be investigated.
Finally, I chatted with Doug Wendt, the winner of BYU's 2009 Social Venture Competition called the Tipping Bucket. He also has been to Guatemala among the Mayans and loved the idea of health clinics where they are needed and pointed me to organizations who can help me research more.

This was a long post, but it is well worth the time to research this. I am excited to present more research coming very shortly. Thanks.