2018 Year End Newsletter

THEN AND NOW with GOT MINISTRIES
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God!
1 John 3:1a

​We have served in Santa Maria de Jesus for 7 years total, and officially as GOT Ministries since 2016.  Our mission is to empower and serve the children with disabilities in Guatemala.  The vision creates a journey of relationship and investment. Here are two stories, from THEN to NOW, that demonstrate the progress and change that can be seen by consistently serving the same community of children and families. 

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Become a Therapy Sponsor

Rosario
THEN  
Rosario started in therapy with no capacity to interact with others, demonstrated aggressive behaviors towards her mother, brother, and even the dogs in the streets.  She rarely if ever left her home and never experienced basic play like many other children. She urinated in the therapy room 4 times during her first visit, would only play in her slobber on the ground, and screamed often as a way of communicating.
NOW
Rosario has made so many gains, it is hard not to cry every time I think of how far she has come!!! She responds when hearing her name, she loves playing with water, and even makes eye contact with us often!!  She attends to a toy or task with us for about 5 minutes and spends time on the toilet to work on potty training!!!!!!!! She also learned “soft touch,” and we encourage her verbal communication when she makes soft noises. ​

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Eymi (Amy)
THEN
Eymi relied completely on others when we met her; she stayed at home and did not socialize.  She was not allowed to go to school, because she couldn't walk like the other children. Eymi was born with spina bifida which caused a paralysis of some of the muscles in her legs and feet, as well as the muscles required for toileting.
NOW
She is 6 years old now and just graduated kindergarten! She is learning how to take care of her new donated AFOs, that will help her ankle stability when walking with her walker! Eymi also works on asking for help, taking care of her personal hygiene with her diaper management, and socializing with her peers.

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THEN AND NOW- Celebrations and Goals
 
THEN (2018)

• 26 weeks of therapy provided with 2 OT students, Admeth and Sydney
• Initiation of a job skills program to teach and empower job skills in children with disabilities of New Life School transitioning out of 6th grade.
• Addition of Stephanie Harris as Administrative Coordinator for GOT Ministries
• Collaboration with Therapy Clinics International for developing partnerships opportunities in Guatemala​  

NOW (2019)

• Community Empowerment
  • Partnership with a Guatemalan University to provide their therapy students with a 2-month practicum to collaborate with US therapy students and provide consistent therapy at New Life School.   
• Consistent Therapy Services
  • 40 weeks of services in Santa Maria de Jesus planned with 2 masters and 1 doctorate level therapy student from the US.
• Community Awareness
  • 3 events planned to increase awareness of the value of people with disabilities
• Professional Development
  • Partnership with past OT students for professional presentations and projects, as well as further ministry development.

Please consider sponsoring therapy for a child like Eymi, Rosario, and so many more.  We need your help to make the 1200 hours of therapy possible for 2019.  Each therapy visit only costs $30 to provide- Simply fill out the pledge card included with this letter indicating how many visits you would like to sponsor.

Become a Therapy Sponsor