Information and images by courtesy
Quetzaltenango, July 31, 2026. As part of the support initiatives for children in the country, the Ayúdame a Vivir Foundation (AYUVI) officially inaugurated the new AYUVI Occidente Shelter. This space has been designed and conditioned to provide temporary, dignified, and completely safe accommodation for both children and adolescents facing cancer, including their respective companions, with the firm purpose of reinforcing the comprehensive care provided at the AYUVI Occidente Clinic.
The opening of this shelter constitutes a highly significant step for families residing in the western region of the nation. It is worth noting that approximately 38% of the patients treated by the National Pediatric Oncology Unit (UNOP) come from this region, who usually must make journeys of several hours to undergo their therapies, enduring not only the complex fight against the disease but also the heavy economic, physical, and emotional impacts derived from continuous travel.
With a solid infrastructure spanning 250 square meters, the new facility features seven bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, a kitchen, a laundry room, a storage room, as well as green areas and outdoor spaces. These facilities will make it possible to host nearly 45 patients along with their companions on a rotating basis each month, providing them with free access to essential services that reduce travel times and significantly increase their well-being.
During the inaugural ceremony, Luisa Ávila de Castillo, who serves as the Executive Director of the AYUVI Foundation, emphasized the profound value that this project holds for the institution and for the families dealing with pediatric cancer. In her statements, she pointed out that the center was designed with families in mind to alleviate the burdens caused by long distances, transmitting a message of solidarity and reaffirming the institutional commitment to offering a refuge endowed with tranquility, dignity, and hope.
Likewise, the inaugural event featured speeches by representatives of the UNOP, who explained the positive impact that this work will have on the continuity of treatments and the overall well-being of the minors. Similarly, deeply emotional moments were experienced with the testimony of a mother of a UNOP patient, who recounted the daily difficulties experienced when commuting from their communities of origin to seek specialized medical assistance.
The event also served as a space to publicly recognize the work and support of benefactor partners—among which are Pollo Campero, Pepsi, and Banco G&T Continental—in addition to various donors whose contributions made the construction of this shelter viable, demonstrating the positive impact of joining forces. The construction of these facilities required an approximate investment of 3 million quetzales. The activities concluded through the traditional ribbon-cutting and a guided tour of the areas designed to guarantee the comfort and shelter of the users.
Currently, the AYUVI Occidente Clinic treats an average of 20 patients per day. Through the implementation of this shelter, the goal is for all patients from the western area to remain closer to their homes and strictly comply with their medical appointments, check-ups, and therapies, thus ensuring the success of the clinical process.
This opening consolidates the care model promoted for more than 29 years by the AYUVI Foundation in conjunction with the UNOP. Thanks to the constant support of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, the citizenry, companies, and volunteers, 63% of children and adolescents with cancer in Guatemala manage to receive comprehensive and free treatment, reaffirming the mission that all affected children have the opportunity to receive timely and dignified medical assistance.
