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2023 Food For The Poor Healthcare Benevolent Program
The Caribbean and Latin America
HOW TO USE THIS REPORT
Enable access to lifesaving healthcare services for suffering individuals living in poverty across the Caribbean and Latin America.
Project Goal Project DescriptionThe 2023 Food For The Poor Healthcare Benevolent Program helps people without resources receive medical services otherwise unattainable to them.
This ongoing project is renewed every year, and any remaining funds from the previous year will continue to support individuals most in need of medical interventions.
“A new command I give you:
Love one another. As I have loved you,
so you must love one another.”
John 13:34
An Overview of the Caribbean and Latin America
The Caribbean and Latin American regions are still suffering in the aftermath of economic and natural disasters over the past few years. The plight of poor families in these areas has been exacerbated by political instability, crushing inflation and high unemployment rates. Furthermore, the impact of COVID-19 has only worsened the situation, casting a bleak shadow over their future.
Many families in these countries cannot afford education for their children, and the low-paying jobs and unemployment only perpetuate their impoverished state. The high illiteracy rate further adds to their economic woes, contributing to their low standard of living.
The housing situation for the poor is equally dire, with most living in shoddy shacks made from salvaged materials such as tarps, plastic and discarded zinc sheets. These dwellings provide little protection against the weather and lack basic amenities such as indoor plumbing, sanitation and potable water, leading to an increase in the spread of dangerous infections and illnesses.
Nearly 300,000 children under the age of 5 could be saved from death every year if risk factors like unsafe drinking water, sanitation and hand hygiene were addressed.1
Access to medical care is also a significant issue, as many cannot afford to purchase even the most basic necessities, let alone medication. The sick, particularly those with life-threatening conditions, need assistance to obtain proper healthcare.
People living in poverty throughout the Caribbean and Latin America are experiencing a multitude of problems that are affecting the lives of the poorest members of their society. These issues must be addressed urgently to prevent further deterioration in their already precarious situations.
Where We Serve
The following are brief insights into some of the countries where we serve:
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, with Haiti located on the other third. Approximately 23.9%2 of the Dominican population lives in poverty, representing over a quarter million people. FFTP has been working in this country since 2000, lending a helping hand to people without resources.
El Salvador
El Salvador is a densely populated nation in the Western Hemisphere that ranks among the poorest. With a population of over 6.5 million, the country’s limited land and resources have led to a breaking point, resulting in several issues, such as housing shortages. Approximately 22.8%3 of the population lives in poverty. Since 1996, FFTP has been tirelessly working to help those in need among the poor people in El Salvador.
Guatemala
The most populous country in Central America, Guatemala is home to more than 17 million people. Income distribution remains highly unequal, with the wealthiest 20% of the population accounting for more than 51% of Guatemala's overall consumption.4 FFTP began its life-saving work in Guatemala in 1986.
Honduras
Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, possesses the largest income disparity in the region. In 2020, 25.2% of the country lived in extreme poverty, while nearly half of the population lived in poverty.5 FFTP started serving the population of Honduras in 1999.
2 https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/dominicanrepublic/overview
3 https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/elsalvador/overview
4 https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/guatemala/overview
5 https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/honduras/overview
Jamaica
With a population of 2.93 million, Jamaica is the third-largest Caribbean island in size. The island is prone to natural disasters such as hurricanes and flooding, while it struggles with low growth and high public debt. The unemployment rate hit a historic low in 2019 of 7.2%.6 Additionally, crime and violence rates remain high, underscoring the need to address challenges related to youth unemployment, education and social cohesion. FFTP has been working in Jamaica since its founding in 1982.
We humbly request your support in blessing the most vulnerable populations in Latin America and the Caribbean. Your contribution will enable us to provide essential medical care to those suffering, and may even save lives in 2023. We invite you to join us on our journey toward healing and recovery for some of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters.
6 https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/jamaica/overview
Please click the map below to see the Google Maps location for the countries we primarily serve.
The Food For The Poor Benevolent Program provides healthcare assistance to the poorest of the poor. Poverty limits people’s access to proper healthcare, causing them to suffer needlessly. This program makes a real difference in the lives of individuals and families who desperately need medical care, but do not have the resources to get help for themselves or their loved ones.
Through this program, we come alongside individuals who are battling significant health concerns that do have viable medical solutions to relieve their pain. So many lives have been transformed over the years, and generations impacted by the critical healthcare received.
The importance of taking action, no matter how small it may seem, is clearly reflected in Hebrews 6:10, which reminds us, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” By supporting the program through donations and prayers, you play a vital role in helping those in need. We encourage everyone to support the program in whatever way they can, knowing that every act of kindness can significantly impact another person's life forever.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
2023 Food For The Poor Benevolent ProgramPersonal Stories
Following are some of the heartwarming stories that developed over the past year. They serve as a testament to the incredible acts of generosity from faithful donors, who have positively impacted the lives of those with nowhere else to turn.
Have a heart for Marcela
Marcela’s journey began in Guatemala on her birthdate, December 31, 2020. Her journey has been extremely difficult. Marcela was born with ectopia cordis, a rare condition where a baby’s heart is either partially or totally outside the chest. Only 8 out of 1 million babies are born with ectopia cordis, and 90% of these babies are either stillborn or die within the first three days of birth. But Marcela was a living and breathing miracle as she continued to grow and develop normally.
Marcela’s parents, Isabel and Edgar, were told by local doctors that their daughter needed a very complex heart surgery requiring the expertise of a thoracic surgeon. When they learned there wasn’t a doctor in Guatemala qualified to perform the surgery, Isabel and Edgar were desperate to find help.
In May 2021, we received a video showing the condition of 5-month-old Marcela. We contacted Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH), one of the best pediatric cardiology hospitals in the US. After reviewing Marcela’s records, diagnostics and assessments, Dr. Sitaram Emani, director of Complex Biventricular Repair Program at BCH, deemed Marcela a good candidate to receive biventricular repair surgery.
The BCH medical team determined that a two-staged surgery would need to be performed to save Marcela’s life. Understanding the situation, BCH graciously offered to perform Marcela’s heart surgeries at a tremendously discounted rate. The cost was still too much for the family.
If Marcela’s life was going to be saved, we knew we needed to share her story because God works through His people’s hearts. After telling our gracious donors about Marcela and her family, the money needed for her two lifesaving surgeries was raised!
In September 2021, Marcela had her first surgery to correct defects in her heart. The procedure was successful, and she returned to Guatemala to grow stronger in preparation for her second surgery.
Isabel shared her deep gratitude, saying, “Thank you for all the medicines and everything Marcela needs. I have no words to thank from the bottom of our hearts. We are very grateful to Food For The Poor and the amazing people who have that great heart to help others.”
On August 8, 2022, Marcela had her second surgery, where all her displaced external organs were repositioned back into her body. She spent several weeks recovering and is currently back home in Guatemala.
Marcela is a living miracle! Because of the support from our loving donors, she is living the life of a normal 2-year-old. Her mom shared that Marcela is in constant motion, as if she is making up for lost time. She currently has a feeding tube to help her grow with a goal to have it removed in about a year.
We continue to provide financial medical assistance to Marcela’s family for supplies related to the feeding tube and her special diet. A cardiologist is also monitoring her at Cardiovascular Surgery Unit of Guatemala UNICAR (Unidad de Cirugía Cardiovascular de Guatemala UNICAR) located in Guatemala City.
"I want to thank all the donors and Food For The Poor,” Isabel said. “Our family is extremely grateful to God and to all the people who have always supported us at all times. I have been blessed to have your support. Always I will be in gratitude for the people that God presented to us on our way during the most difficult times. May God multiply your blessings! Thank you.”
Marcela before her first operation at Boston Children’s Hospital in September 2021.
She was fitted with a brace to protect her exposed heart before her second operation.
Marcela’s second operation successfully placed her heart inside her chest. She is now a thriving 2-year-old.
Improving Kelyn's Quality of Life
In August 2019, a healthy baby girl named Kelyn was born in Nicaragua. Living in Ciudad Sandino with her family, Kelyn enjoyed a relatively normal and loving childhood, despite financial woes.
As Kelyn was growing up, she would be left under the care of relatives so her mother could work at a local pharmacy. On June 12, 2021, Kelyn’s life changed tragically. Her uncle mistakenly left a door open, and Kelyn followed him outside. A bus traveling down the street ran over the little girl.
As a result of the accident, Kelyn lost her lower left limb, and it seemed her uterus and reproductive organs were gone as well. This tragedy has made life difficult for Kelyn. She now requires a colostomy bag and catheter. Simple actions like walking are impossible.
When Kelyn’s story was told to us, we immediately sprang into action. Kelyn underwent two procedures at Hospital Vivian Pellas in 2022. During the laparoscopy and cystoscopy procedures, her doctor discovered Kelyn did still have her uterus and an ovary, despite a previous MRI’s findings that did not show these organs. In addition, Kelyn's doctors repositioned her bladder, which had been causing her pain as well as recurrent infections. A large stone in her bladder also was removed. This procedure went well, and her next medical visit will be scheduled soon.
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health
and that all may go well with you,
even as your soul is getting along well.”
3 John 1:2
Kelyn’s first and second procedures have been a success!
We are so grateful for Kelyn’s incredible team of doctors!
“Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them;
and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth.”
Jeremiah 33:6
Rusber Angel Club Foot Procedure
After receiving multiple diagnostic tests, 4-year-old Rusber was diagnosed with clubfoot at the Roosevelt Institute in Bogota, Colombia. Clubfoot is a congenital malformation characterized by a downward and inward deformity of the foot. Treatment for clubfoot usually begins within the first few weeks of life. If left unmanaged, the condition will prevent the person from walking.
Thanks to our donors’ support for the Benevolent Program, Rusber had casts placed on his legs in November 2022. This process of correcting club foot is known as the Ponseti Method, which enables the cast to gradually adjust his feet to their correct position.
Although treatment started later than usual, Rusber’s prognosis is good! He will eventually be fitted for leg braces to ensure his feet stay in the proper position, followed by physical therapy.
Before the procedure, Rusber was never expected to walk.
Thanks to our donors, Rusber is receiving the medical care he needs to live a normal life.
Melany’s life with maxillary osteosarcoma
Thirteen-year-old Melany, from San Salvador, El Salvador, has been diagnosed with maxillary osteosarcoma. This type of cancer originates in the bone tissue of the maxilla, which is the upper jawbone.
Her condition was discovered when Melany underwent a biopsy at a general hospital. She was then referred to the children's national hospital. Unfortunately, this hospital treats patients who are 12 years old and younger. At 13, this places Melany in a precarious situation since her treatment is not covered.
The health system in El Salvador is not well-supported. In 2020, only 9.9%7 of the country’s gross domestic product was spent on healthcare. For non-communicable diseases like cancer, medical services are not covered. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of the population in El Salvador has private medical care. Melany’s family isn’t one of them.
For Melany to survive, she will need surgery to remove the affected bone structure and complete eight rounds of chemotherapy. The surgery is complicated due to the tumor’s location, and Melany needs our help for a fighting chance at life.
Let us be God’s answer to their prayers.
The extreme situations in countries where we work may seem overwhelming, but thanks to generous donors like you, we are a lifeline of hope, faith and love to those who are hurting and most in need.
For families with loved ones suffering from common illnesses to rare and severe medical conditions, prayer is an invaluable resource. For poverty-stricken people in many parts of the Caribbean and Latin America, prayer is the only solution.
Contributions are tax-deductible under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).
"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"Matthew 25:40
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry children and families living in poverty primarily in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, water, medicine, educational materials, homes, support for vulnerable children, care for the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.
About Food For The Poor