Family Planning for Guatemalans Living in Poverty

It is not typical to see men at our Family Planning Mobile Clinics.  Instead, a group of women normally assembles to listen to WINGS’ presentation and chat as they wait their turn to have a private talk with one of our Family Planning Educators.  The room swarms with small children-running, playing, crying, getting fed.  Husbands, boyfriends, and other men are usually out working or uninterested in attending.  However, this day in Santa Clara La Laguna, on the coast of Guatemala´s renowned Lake Atitlan, was different. 

Juana, a 24-year-old housewife, came accompanied not only by her two sons (the older at two-and-a-half years and the younger, a four-month-old bright-eyed baby), but also her husband Ever.  Ever had seen the announcement for WINGS’ mobile clinic in the town hall and was very interested.  On the day of the clinic, he came to make sure his wife’s procedure went well and to take care of the two boys while she was with the doctor. 

Ever is a day laborer and does not always have steady work.  He says despite economic difficulties he wants to be the best dad he can be, and that means “having the least number of children to provide for possible.”

Juana strongly agrees.  She came to the clinic to get a hormonal contraceptive implant which will give her family protection for up to four years.  “At times,” she says, “I feel helpless with our economic situation because I have to take care of the kids and cannot go out and find a job, but this is a way I can take responsibility to help us both feel less stress.”

This couple was satisfied with the decision they made for the wellbeing of their family.  They were also very grateful to WINGS who provided the service at a deeply subsidized price.