Luz Maria Trujillo is a 61-year-old woman from Coacalco, Mexico. Several years ago, she completed her studies as a community-based primary health worker through Give Ye Them To Eat (GYTTE), Advance #07629A. GYTTE is an integrated development program for the rural sector of South-Central Mexico.
Trujillo donates her time to train women in preventative care, traveling many hours by bus to reach the training center. Thankfully, GYTTE has been able to cover her travel expenses because of generous UMC #GivingTuesday donations that came to the project in 2014 and 2015.
Trujillo also has trained many women to become community health workers through GYTTE's "More Than a Bandage" program. Through this community and family health program, women complete their studies in basic health and sanitation, intermediate first-aid, and advanced health courses. The women graduate and serve their families, neighbors, and community on a volunteer basis. They also join medical teams and visit various rural and remote clinics, teaching patients preventative care.
"We thank God and Global Ministries for giving GYTTE yet another way to increase the funding and provide development opportunities for disadvantaged families, so they can progress within their own communities, culture, and country," agreed Terry and Muriel Henderson, retired Global Ministries missionaries who support the program.
But training health-care workers is only part of what UMC #GivingTuesday donations are making possible at GYTTE. The donations are helping to:
- Prepare seminary students for courses on agricultural and livestock development in rural villages where they will be appointed to serve
- Support GYTTE's Alternative Work/Study and Reality Experience (AWARE) Program, where various community groups come to the Tree of Life Training Center for guided tours about the many technologies, construction methods, materials, and livestock management practices taught by GYTTE's staff
- Provide volunteers, interns, and work/study teams to experience rural Mexico and learn about rural development, outreach ministry, and the work of the Methodist Church of Mexico
You can support Give Ye Them To Eat (GYTTE), Advance #07629A, which helps villagers become self-sustaining through agriculture and livestock development, community and family health, and church and faith development. It also offers continuing education for rural pastors.
Adapted from General Board of Global Ministries/The Advance website
The Advance is the accountable, designated-giving arm of The United Methodist Church. The Advance invites contributors to designate support for projects related to the General Board of Global Ministries. Individuals, local churches, organizations, districts and annual conferences may donate to The Advance. One hundred percent of every gift to The Advance goes to the project selected by the giver.
