Yolanda

One family that I would really like to share with readers of my blogs is that of Yolanda Ramirez. A mother of seven children ranging from 28 to 10 years old, she is a single parent trying not only to raise her children but to be a caregiver for her 14 year old son who is extremely disabled and has been bedridden with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis since the age of 7. Yolanda is also grieving for the loss of her daughter who died of an enlarged heart at the age of 12 years. She receives no support from the fathers of her children. Yolanda lives on $200 Belize a month, which equates to $100 in U.S. She earns this by the $100 Belize that is given to her by the government, and the one day a week she works as a housecleaner for $25 Belize on Fridays. She tries to supplement her income by purchasing crates of coke and fanta to sell by the bottle. On a good week if the weather is really hot, she can sometimes sell 2 to 4 crates making $10 Belize ($5 U.S.) for every 24 bottles in the crate. Other ways of earning income is to offer her services of ironing for churches. Life is a constant struggle and it can be lonely to be the sole caregiver without having a break.

Saul cannot be left on his own so on the day she works, she must ask for the help of someone to sit with Saul. At the age of 7 Saul was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Symptoms of the condition include swelling joints and pain in the hands and feet. Yolanda's morning starts very early. She must carry Saul into a plastic chair so that she can bathe him and brush his teeth. She has no bathroom, toilet or running water inside her home. Upon meeting Saul, I immediately felt Yolanda's pain when comparing that her son is TJ's age as he will be turning 15 on the 12th of May. I could not imagine how long the days must be for him lying on the sofa. Thank goodness Saul was given a television so that he can at least watch something to entertain him. The cost of raising a disabled child for most people anywhere is a struggle and a worry but for Yolanda in a country with an near non-existent social security program, it is a huge burden. The cost of diapers, baby wipes, lotion, shampoo, Tylenol and vitamins are something that she just cannot afford. She would love to be able to afford a three wheeled chair for Saul so that she can get him outside.

While we were talking one day, she had to come up with test fees for her youngest ten year old son Ronaldo. So many other incidentals that are free in our country are additional hardships for families, but even more for people who live under the poverty level. According to an article in the Belize Anglican News, the official government statistics showed an increase in those living below the poverty line. It used to be 33% and now it is at 43%.

Yolanda's house was built 5 years ago on leased land. She pays $35 per year to lease the land. A generous American man built and paid for Yolanda's house which I assumed was made with salvaged wood. During the rainy season which starts soon, the house floods 2 to 3 feet. She is presently requesting assistance from Pablo Marin, the local MP and Minister of Health. They are looking into the possibility of lifting up ground in her house to put a proper floor in. Presently the floor inside the house consists of tiny ridges and slopes. It would impossible at this point to push a wheelchair inside.

There are so many people who truly deserve financial assistance in Belize. I sincerely feel Yolanda is in genuine need of support. I am not specifically asking friends or family to send money to Yolanda but instead allowing people who were already searching for a cause to help. We are only in Belize for two more weeks and if in that time, anyone wants to join Andy and I in making a one time donation, please contact me by email.