Family Planning for Guatemalans Living in Poverty

The morning sun of Huehuetenango cast a gentle glow on the walls of the health center. Inside, a small waiting room was filled with nearly a dozen women. Some cradled their infants, snug in colorful scarves against their chests, while their older children played on the floor with little toy cars.

Nurses bustled through the room, each carrying supplies for the WINGS jornada (clinic day). Among them was Karen, one of our newest team members. She rehearsed the information on contraceptive methods in her mind, preparing to share it with the women in the waiting room.

While Karen was presenting the possible side effects of a hormonal implant to the group, a mother entered with two children. She had flowing, long hair and large, tender eyes. She quietly sat at one of the benches at the back of the room, her gaze fixed on Karens’s every gesture. At the end of the presentation, the woman approached Karen and attempted to communicate with hand gestures. Karen made a sincere effort to understand the woman; however, it proved challenging until her four-year-old son stepped in, “My mom doesn’t want any more kids.”

The woman’s name was Esperanza, a 31-year-old mother of five. As a child, she suffered from severe headaches, which were the initial symptoms of meningitis. Unfortunately, the lack of access to health services prevented her from receiving the treatment she needed. The disease deteriorated her hearing and severely limited her ability to communicate.

Karen knew that Esperanza needed to fully comprehend all available options to provide informed consent for any contraceptive method WINGS might provide. She recalled that Dina, our Promotion Manager in Chimaltenango, was learning sign language, aiming to broaden the scope of our inclusive care provision. Karen contacted Dina and briefed her on the situation. In no time, Esperanza was welcomed into a quiet room with Dina on the other side of a video call. Dina signed with her providing thorough explanations and showing deep empathy for her needs.

Esperanza chose a copper IUD because she wanted a long-acting method. Dina explained each part of the consent form in a comprehensive manner before Esperanza added her thumbprint to it, as she did not know how to write.

After taking a pregnancy test, she entered the clinic room. Karen assisted her onto the gurney with a warm, reassuring touch. A few minutes later, Esperanza emerged from the room, her face adorned with a radiant smile, and her eyes glistening with tears of gratitude. She approached Karen and embraced her in a heartfelt hug.

Karen understood that empathy is the most important language we use. 

Dina reached out to Esperanza a few days later to ensure that everything was proceeding smoothly and there were no complications. Esperanza reported that she was in excellent health and overjoyed with the courage she had to attend our jornada.