Rotarian Tom Mais introduced Jeannie Jensen, Senior Pastor of the First United Methodist Church, who presented to our club the ongoing mission in Guatemala, the Organization for the Development of the Indigenous Mayan (ODIM). Breaking the cycle of malnutrition and poverty is the over-reaching goal of ODIM in Guatemala, and they seem to making progress with a 40% reduction of malnutrition in their first year. Guatemala's people:
- 15.5 million people
- 20 = average age
- 60% are indigenous Mayan
- 4 rank in the world for chronic malnutrition
- 76% live in extreme poverty
- 72% never finish primary school
ODIM's activities focus on addressing the educational and health care issues of the indigenous people of Guatemala. Two clinics built see between 5,000 and 7,000 people per year.
The following are some of the programs and services that are provided:
- community programs
- medical teams
- construction teams
- diabetes program
- Healthy House program - reduces dirt floors in homes to create a healthier environment
- scholarship program - tutoring, school supplies to get more kids through school
- adolescent youth program - Reduces teenage pregnancies
Several years ago, our Rotary Club donated radiology sonogram equipment that is in use in the clinics. This equipment has proven to save lives of these indigenous Mayan people. Several of our Rotary Club members have made several trips to this area to work in this special ministry over the past several years.