Organization For The Development Of The Indigenous Maya - Odim

ODIM's High Impact Home Improvement program aims to improve the health of low-income families in San Pablo and San Juan through impactful home interventions. Families in our program receive efficient, Onil wood-burning stoves that reduce or eliminate smoke in the homes and Ecofiltro water filters, which reduce or eliminate the number of bacteria in drinking water. These two home interventions combat the prevalence of respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses caused by toxic smoke inhalation and consumption of contaminated water. Each family also receives seven educational sessions to learn how to use and maintain these interventions as well as strategies to maintain the overall health and hygiene of the home. In 2024, international volunteers and ODIM staff installed 61 Onil stoves and 61 Ecofilters, benefiting a total of 239 individuals. ODIM health promoters conducted 93 follow-up evaluation interviews to monitor the use and functioning of the interventions. Additionally, 6 water filters were donated to local public schools, benefiting 814 students and teachers, and 3 stoves were installed in a rural school. Health promoters also produced two instructional videos on the installation and benefits of the Onil stove for publication on social media and local cable TV channels. Health promoters also held workshops for local teachers and parents about the importance of healthy water quality to prevent illnesses.

The Mamá y Yo Saludable (Healthy Mommy and Me) program is aimed at improving maternal and child health to combat malnutrition during the first 1,000 days of a child's life. This program involves a monthly educational seminar and support group for expectant and new mothers through age two years of the child. Participants learn about topics such as healthy nutrition during their pregnancy, breast feeding, child nutrition, cooking techniques, hygiene and infant care, vaccinations, family planning methods, and how to resolve emotional conflicts with spouses and other family members. Support groups are led by local health promoters who have been educated by Guatemalan and international health professionals. In 2024, a total of 104 mothers participated in the program, and they received 418 food baskets or vouchers to purchase food from local merchants during the year. ODIM health promoters conducted 76 in-person workshops with mothers, held 8 support group meetings, and 72 follow-up appointments to check the height and weight of the children. At the end of the year, 10 mothers and their toddlers graduated from their 1,000 days in the program. Based on regular height and weight measurements of the infants and toddlers, 90% of the children from San Juan and San Pablo in the graduation class achieved a healthy height and weight for a two-year old child.

Let's Walk Together/ Caminemos Juntos Diabetes is a widespread health issue in Guatemala that affects 30 % of men and 27%. of women nationally. ODIM's Caminemos Juntos ("Let's Walk Together") diabetes program provides education about living a healthy life with the disease through exercise, cooking classes, and bi-weekly support groups. The program's goal is to empower participants to take control of their health and live the healthiest life possible. Participants also receive health consultations, house visits, regular glucose and A1c checks, and extremely low-cost monthly medicines (at approximately $1.50 per month). Between ODIM's two clinics, we serve over 300 diabetic patients. The majority have Type 2 diabetes. Each year ODIM holds a festival in the community to raise awareness and celebrate our dedicated participants. In 2024, 47 participants were enrolled in the bi-weekly support groups and 67% of them maintained controlled blood sugar levels. ODIM's health promoters conducted workshops for participants and distributed food vouchers so participants could purchase food from local merchants. Health promoters held a community health fair focused on diabetes in San Juan La Laguna with 62 attendees.

The Salud del Adolescente (Adolescent Health) program consists of a five-month course for young people (ages 11-13) from the two communities of San Juan La Laguna and San Pablo La Laguna. Topics include human development and sexuality, birth control, and healthy dating relationships. Graduates serve as peer educators in their communities. In 2024, 45 students (25 girls and 22 boys) graduated from the program. Graduates demonstrated an increase in knowledge from the pre-test to 89% on the post test. Additionally, ODIM health promoters held 3 workshops for parents and teachers on various topics about human sexuality and adolescent development. Health promoters also held four workshops in local schools for 224 students and 14 teachers on sexual rights, sexual harassment, healthy sexual relationships. Nine program graduates conducted a workshop in a rural school for 46 students and two teachers to share their knowledge about human sexuality.

In 2024, ODIM's scholarship program (Alcanzando Sueños) supported 10 children in junior high and senior high school from San Pablo so they could continue their studies. Each scholarship covers school inscriptions, monthly tuition fees, school supplies, uniforms, and annual medical and dental exams. The program involves weekly reinforcement classes at ODIM's Clínica Chuitinamit in San Pablo La Laguna. Once a month students participate in some type of community service project such as planting trees or cleaning trash (60 large bags) along the shores of Lake Atitlán. Students and ODIM staff planted 91 trees in San Pablo La Laguna to combat the deforestation problem. Five of the students will continue their studies as high school students next year and five will be in junior high.