Copyright - All Rights Reserved
2005
2005
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This new page is about helping people or organizations in areas that we visit. In January of 2000 Colleen and I
met an indigenous family in the Lake Atitlan area of Guatemala that was interested in a sponsor so their
children could receive some additional education beyond the six years offered in their country. Since then we
have been paying for the education of various of the five children in the family. See this page for their story.
So, the point of this page is to offer you a chance to help a real person with a problem. As we live in Mexico and
travel to various parts of Central America too, we occasionally encounter people who are desperately poor and
just need a little boost. We can't help them all as we have committed to helping our family in Guatemala, but
maybe you would like to help someone one time or over a period of time. If we meet someone who needs some
help, we will write his or her story here and you can respond to us if you are interested in helping. If help is
offered, we will update the story as it changes.
met an indigenous family in the Lake Atitlan area of Guatemala that was interested in a sponsor so their
children could receive some additional education beyond the six years offered in their country. Since then we
have been paying for the education of various of the five children in the family. See this page for their story.
So, the point of this page is to offer you a chance to help a real person with a problem. As we live in Mexico and
travel to various parts of Central America too, we occasionally encounter people who are desperately poor and
just need a little boost. We can't help them all as we have committed to helping our family in Guatemala, but
maybe you would like to help someone one time or over a period of time. If we meet someone who needs some
help, we will write his or her story here and you can respond to us if you are interested in helping. If help is
offered, we will update the story as it changes.
Pablo's Story
Pablo is the person who inspired the idea for this page. He is a man
in his late forties who has worked all his life as a laborer for the
barest of wages. He cannot read or write but can do amazing math
in his head. We met him when we first arrived in Calderitas and he
showed us various parcels of land that might be for sale and told us
the names of the owners. Pablo works as a watchman and general
caretaker for a piece of property that is just down the road from us.
In the months that ensued since first meeting Pablo he has done
some work for us at the local prevailing wage of 150 pesos
(approximately $15 USD) per day and we have learned that he is a
very honest, hardworking and responsible man. He taught us both
how to use a machete and how to keep it sharp and has helped us
clear parts of our land.
in his late forties who has worked all his life as a laborer for the
barest of wages. He cannot read or write but can do amazing math
in his head. We met him when we first arrived in Calderitas and he
showed us various parcels of land that might be for sale and told us
the names of the owners. Pablo works as a watchman and general
caretaker for a piece of property that is just down the road from us.
In the months that ensued since first meeting Pablo he has done
some work for us at the local prevailing wage of 150 pesos
(approximately $15 USD) per day and we have learned that he is a
very honest, hardworking and responsible man. He taught us both
how to use a machete and how to keep it sharp and has helped us
clear parts of our land.
Pablo has a health problem that is rather easily solvable if he had the money. He has kidney stones that have
moved into his bladder and occasionally cause him a great deal of pain and lost days of work until they pass.
He says that he cannot have a regular operation to remove them because he would not be able to work for
many weeks afterward. The doctors have suggested a type of treatment that Pablo calls 'laser' that is not as
invasive and he could be back at work in 2-3 weeks. The operation costs 17,000 pesos - about $1700. Pablo
has saved 4000 pesos toward the surgery but with a family to support it will take him a really long time to save
the rest. Are you interested in helping Pablo? If so, click here to send us a note.
Update 12/31/2005 We have received offers from two members of the Escapees RV Club to help Pablo. He will
return to his doctor after January 6, 2006 to start the process of preparing for the surgery. We will keep you
posted.
Update 12-10-2006 Pablo no longer needs the surgery as the problem seems to have resolved with
medication. Thank you for the offers to help.
moved into his bladder and occasionally cause him a great deal of pain and lost days of work until they pass.
He says that he cannot have a regular operation to remove them because he would not be able to work for
many weeks afterward. The doctors have suggested a type of treatment that Pablo calls 'laser' that is not as
invasive and he could be back at work in 2-3 weeks. The operation costs 17,000 pesos - about $1700. Pablo
has saved 4000 pesos toward the surgery but with a family to support it will take him a really long time to save
the rest. Are you interested in helping Pablo? If so, click here to send us a note.
Update 12/31/2005 We have received offers from two members of the Escapees RV Club to help Pablo. He will
return to his doctor after January 6, 2006 to start the process of preparing for the surgery. We will keep you
posted.
Update 12-10-2006 Pablo no longer needs the surgery as the problem seems to have resolved with
medication. Thank you for the offers to help.
A Helping Hand
Life's Adventures