WALKING ALONG SIDE OUR PARTNERS

Tuesday, July 21

Today's Journey

Today the team will complete the installation of Onil clean-burning stoves and Ecofilter water filtration systems in homes around San Pablo La Laguna. In the evening, they'll gather at the home of JoAna Dwyer, ODIM's founder, to learn how to make traditional tortillas and enjoy music shared by members of her caretaker family.

Why This Matters

Mission is about far more than completing projects.

Today's work continues the practical partnership that helps improve health and daily life for families in the Lake Atitlán region. But the day doesn't end when the work is finished. Sharing a meal, learning traditional skills, and enjoying music together are reminders that lasting partnerships are built through friendship, hospitality, and mutual respect.

The Prayer Partner Guide also highlights the broader impact of ODIM's community health ministries. In addition to installing stoves and water filters, ODIM provides primary and dental health care, diabetes support, maternal and infant nutrition programs, adolescent health education, and scholarships that help young people pursue their dreams. These ministries reflect a long-term commitment to walking alongside communities as partners in health, education, and hope.

Reflection

·  ODIM staff and international volunteer teams installed 180 water filters  and 180 energy efficient stoves, benefiting a total of 434 individuals to combat gastrointestinal and upper respiratory illnesses through ODIM’s “High Impact Home Improvement” program.

· Of the 50 patients in the diabetes support program, “Let’s Walk Together,” 55% achieved their personal goals of controlling their A1C level. ODIM staff distributed 200 food baskets to participants.

Twenty-six mothers and babies enrolled in the program graduated after 1,000 days. 88.5% of babies and infants in ODIM’s “Healthy Mommy & Me” program achieved healthy height and weight for their age by graduation. ODIM staff distributed 532 food baskets to mothers.

· All 8 of the junior high and senior high school students in ODIM’s “Reaching Dreams” scholarship program passed on to the next grade.  Three students graduated from high school. Students and staff planted 118 trees in San Pablo La Laguna to address the deforestation problem as part of their community service. 

·  39 adolescents, aged 11-13, graduated from ODIM’s “Adolescent Health” program. 86% of the graduates demonstrated comprehension of health topics at the end of the five-month course. Staff and some student graduates conducted 5 workshops in local schools with 142 students in attendance.

More than a list of accomplishments, ODIM Guatemala is comprised of people who believe this world can be a better, more just place. Working together with volunteers like you, we will continue to make a difference here in 2026…and beyond!