In rural Guatemala, too many women go years without the opportunity to see a medical provider, causing preventable illnesses to remain hidden for too long. However, thanks to your support of the Health for Life program, even women like our client Norma can access “routine” preventive care—the care that ended up saving her life.
Norma’s journey with Friendship Bridge began ten years ago when she joined to grow her business. But years later, it was her access to our Health for Life program, not just credit alone, that changed her life.
“During my Papanicolau exam [last year], I received the news: ‘You have tested positive for HPV [human papillomavirus] and are entering the first stage of cancer,’” she remembers. “I cried deeply. It was painful.” Much of her grief stemmed from having lived the experience before: without access to care, her own mother had passed from cancer previously.
However, this time, the outcome was different: through the Health for Life program, Norma was provided with the resources to seek treatment and is now receiving the care she needs to heal.
“I’m not spending much because they are helping me with the medication and tests,” says Norma. “The only thing I spend money on is transportation and meals—only that, and for this I am very grateful.”
Now, Norma is using her experience to inform others. “I encourage all women to have their Papanicolau exams done, and that they should not be ashamed,” says Norma.
By sharing her story in her community, Norma is not only spreading life-saving awareness, but she is giving many women around her “permission” to make their health a priority too. This simple shift lays a foundation unraveling generations of cultural stigma around women’s health in Guatemala.
Your support of Health for Life has saved the lives of countless women, and in turn created the means for those women to become advocates for others directly in their communities—which is exactly where change begins. With your help, more women can access life-saving preventive care without systemic barriers standing in the way.
“I am grateful to God for helping me, and to Friendship Bridge for their support. Thank God for this organization that is helping me.”— Norma, Friendship Bridge client
Norma's Health for Life
Norma’s Checkup
For women like Norma, preventive care such as the Papanicolaou exam that saved her life is often a luxury. However, several obstacles were cleared for her with the help of your support. Here’s how:
- Capable Care: When Norma’s exam revealed early-stage cancer, her nurse ensured she received prompt follow-up, and she could offer Norma accompaniment to further treatments outside of the Health for Life clinic.
- Financial Accessibility: Norma was able to receive her Papanicolau exam and follow-up care without paying additional costs for them, making treatment accessible at a time when she needed it most.
- Language Inclusion: Norma speaks Kaqchikel, one of 20+ Mayan languages spoken in Guatemala. Her care was provided by a female nurse fluent in Kaqchikel, ensuring she was fully understood, informed, and respected during the process.
- Cultural Understanding: For many women raised with taboos surrounding women’s health, seeking gynecological care can feel intimidating. Health for Life clinics are staffed entirely by women who deliver care familiar to our clients’ traditions and values.
Every day matters when it comes to detecting illness early.
Your support made it possible for Norma to begin seeking critical treatment without delay. With your gift, you can help more women like her access critical preventive health screenings, education, and care.
