Honor the Mother in Your Life by Helping a Mother in Need
Primeros Pasos helps mothers every day.
Our mission is to improve the quality of life of the rural communities in Guatemala through integrated health education programs and access to medical services.
Through the years Primeros Pasos has identified the most significant disparities among women and children and we have focused our programs to target these vulnerable populations. Each year we give mothers the tools to become active participants in their self-care, and as the primary caretakers, the care of their families.
With your gift to Primeros Pasos, we’ll email a printable certificate to your Mom or honoree (be sure to fill out the dedication information on our online donation form). Thank you for your support, and Happy Mother’s Day!
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Help Primeros Pasos End Malnutrition
In 2012 we started our Nutritional Recuperation Program that helped 26 malnourished children recuperate their normal height and weight. We also taught their families about important health topics, ensuring that the children would continue to grow and live a healthy life.
This year we’ll expand the program by working in some of the most remote communities in the Palajunoj Valley with a group of 20 low income pregnant mothers and 30 chronically malnourished children under two years. However, to be able to continue our work we need your help!
For 2013 we’re partnering with One Day’s Wages in order to raise the money we need. One Day’s Wages has agreed to support the project with $8,000 if we manage to raise $2,000. This 80/20 match scheme is the largest portion One Day’s Wages has ever awarded, which proves their belief in the importance of our project.
The 80/20 match scheme means that every dollar you give us has an actual effect of 5 dollars. Help us and the children of the Palajunoj Valley by making a small contribution to our program. Or maybe you can even spare one day’s wage?
Join IAHA’s Board of Directors
Our partners in the states, The Inter-American Health Alliance, are looking for new board members. If you are interested, please see the note at the bottom on how to contact IAHA. And please spread the word to any friends, colleagues or family who might be interested!
About IAHA:
Founded in 2004, IAHA through a rights-based, inclusive approach to healthcare fosters cross-sector collaboration and provides financial and technical support to establish self-sustaining Guatemala-based community health projects serving neglected populations. IAHA’s principle program in 2013 is Primeros Pasos, a rural health clinic located in the Palajunoj Valley in the department of Quetzaltenango (www.primerospasos.org). With an emphasis on providing access to integrated, culturally and linguistically-appropriate preventative health care, Primeros Pasos delivers vital education and direct services to more than 8,000 individuals annually. IAHA is going through a phase of restructuring, is investing in organizational development and is in the process of recruiting new Board Members who are committed to leading our organization into the future.
Board Member Role:
IAHA Board Members serve as ambassadors, helping to fulfill the organization’s mission and uphold its values. As the ultimate leaders of the organization, all members are tasked with providing strategic governance.
Board Member Responsibilities:
Leadership, Governance and Oversight
- Being informed of, and meeting all, legal and fiduciary responsibilities.
- Approving IAHA’s annual budget, audits, and major organizational decisions.
- Leading the development and implementation of IAHA’s strategic plan.
- Developing a monitoring and evaluation plan for IAHA’s strategic objectives and regularly measuring its performance and effectiveness.
- Reviewing agenda and supporting materials prior to Board and committee meetings.
- Assisting the Board President in identifying and recruiting other Board Members.
- Partnering with other Board Members to ensure that Board resolutions are carried out.
- Serving on committees or task forces and taking on special assignments as needed.
- Representing IAHA to stakeholders.
- Ensuring IAHA’s commitment to a diverse Board and program staff that reflects the communities IAHA serves.
- Contributing to an annual performance evaluation of lead program staff.
- Participating in annual Board of Directors self-evaluations.
Fundraising
IAHA Board Members will consider IAHA a philanthropic priority and make annual gifts that reflect that priority. IAHA expects to have all Board Members make an annual contribution of at least $1,000. This can be achieved through a personal donation and/or through other means such as special events, presentations, grant writing support, networking, among others. Ample support will be provided by fellow Board Members and program staff to ensure fundraising goals are met.
Board Terms/Participation:
IAHA’s Board Members serve a four-year term. Board meetings will be held quarterly and committee meetings will be held monthly. Board members are required to attend/participate in all Board meetings. In addition, Board Members are encouraged to visit IAHA’s program in Guatemala on an annual basis and will ideally recruit others to join them in order to grow the organization’s base of support.
Desired Background:
In addition to a belief in our mission, selected Board Members will have achieved leadership stature in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector. Her/his accomplishments will allow her/him to attract other well-qualified, high-performing Board Members and other resources for the organization. Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:
- Extensive professional experience with significant executive leadership accomplishments in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector.
- A commitment to and understanding of IAHA’s beneficiaries, preferably with knowledge and experience of the Guatemalan context.
- Strong communication and networking skills with a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and support for mission-driven causes.
- Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds.
- Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, a sense of humor and a passion for improving the lives of IAHA’s beneficiaries.
Service on IAHA’s Board of Directors is without remuneration. IAHA-related expenses incurred (e.g. travel, supplies, etc.) are considered in-kind donations and are therefore tax-deductible.
Application Information:
If you are interested in applying for the position of IAHA Board Member, please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your qualifications and interest to Josie Silverman, IAHA Board Development Consultant at josie.silverman@gmail.com. To learn more about IAHA, we invite you to visit our website at www.interamericanhealth.org.
Read MoreTEACHING NUTRITION, A Volunteer’s Perspective
I started volunteering with the Primeros Pasos and the Nutritional Recuperation Program in October. The Nutritional Recuperation Program works with chronically malnourished children and their families in the Palajunoj Valley through medical treatment and health education. At the beginning of working with the nutrition program, my artistic and crafting skills were put to the test when Cindy, the nutritionist, asked me to make fruit and vegetable crowns for the kids in the program. Later that week, the clinic hosted a celebration for the kids and mothers of the program for el Día del Niño (Children’s Day). The kids showed their knowledge of what fruits and vegetables they knew by guessing what each crown was and then looked incredibly cute playing outside the clinic wearing them. Later, my artistic skills were once again put to the test when I made visuals for an activity for one of the educational seminars that the mothers in the program attend. What I had not realized before working with the nutrition program was the importance of incorporating visual materials within an educational curriculum, especially when working with communities such as those in the Palajunoj Valley. Guatemala has the lowest literacy rate in Central America, with large disparities between indigenous and non-indigenous communities and between men and women. Many of the moms in the Nutritional Recuperation Program cannot read, so incorporating visual materials is both important and necessary. Creating an educational program and curriculum without relying on written word was a challenge I hadn’t thought about before working with the Nutrition Program.
Read MoreGOODBYE, BYRON!
