Children of The Americas

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Children of The Americas

COTA enhances the health and well-being of underserved women and children in developing countries through international collaboration.

Children of the Americas started in the 1980's as a group of American volunteers dedicated to improving the health care of rural Guatemalans. Thirty years later we still travel to remote areas of Guatemala every January to deliver donated medical care, surgery, dental care and prosthetics.

05/03/2026

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/mothers-day-stroller-donations

As we approach Mother’s Day, and we honor the mothers in our own lives, I’m asking you to help a mother in Guatemala care for her child who cannot walk.

Every year the Children of the Americas medical mission team meets families whose children depend on them for every move. Without proper mobility equipment, these mothers carry their children for miles, struggle with daily tasks, and watch their sons and daughters miss out on school, play, and family life.

To assist these mothers, we are reaching out to you to help us secure 12 Convaid Cruiser Strollers. Our goal is $20,000. Please consider a gift of $100, $250 or $500.

These lightweight, foldable, medically designed strollers are built for children who are fully dependent on them for mobility. They provide proper positioning, comfort, and safety so mothers can push their children instead of carrying them—freeing them to care for the rest of the family and giving their child dignity and inclusion.

When you give, we will send you a beautiful Mother’s Day gift certificate you can print or forward to honor your mother.

Every dollar counts. Even $25 or $50 helps us get closer to delivering these strollers on our next mission.

With your help, we can improve the lives of many of the families we serve!

03/29/2026

There is a specific stillness that falls over Antigua during Holy Week. Between the heavy scent of incense and the rhythmic step of the cucuruchos, you realize you aren’t just watching history—you’re breathing it in.

Today, we are honoring the devotion and the centuries of tradition that turn these cobblestone streets into a living altar. It’s a reminder that beauty often requires patience, and faith is best expressed together.

03/19/2026

Today is Throwback Thursday, so we’re taking a trip down memory lane to celebrate two pillars of the Children of the Americas family: Henry Elam and Rosemary Vance.

Henry and Rosemary spent years as the "steady hands" of our mission. From Henry’s tireless work on so many trips to Guatemala to Rosemary’s compassionate voice and face of COTA for so many years, their dedication helped build the foundation of what we are today.

Though time has passed, the ripples of their kindness are still felt by the families and children they served. We are so grateful for the chapters of our history that they helped write!

What is your favorite memory of Henry or Rosemary? Share it in the comments below! 👇

03/08/2026

Today, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and spirit of the women of Guatemala. 🇬🇹💜
In rural communities, women are often the heartbeat of the family and the local economy—weaving intricate textiles, tending to crops, and caring for generations. But when health issues like debilitating hernias strike, their ability to lead and provide is compromised.
This International Women’s Day, we are proud to share that our surgical team is focusing on procedures that restore more than just health—they restore agency. By providing general surgeries that were previously out of reach, we are helping women return to their looms, their fields, and their families without the burden of chronic pain.
When you heal a woman, you strengthen a community. Today, we honor our female patients and the incredible women on our medical team who make this work possible. 👩‍⚕️✨

02/23/2026

It has been one month since our team wrapped up in Reu. Here are a few words from a first time volunteer, Xico Gomez.

I had an incredibly fulfilling experience as part of the COTA 2026 team in Retalhuleu, Guatemala. An experience that I now find surprisingly difficult to explain.
Growing up in Mexico and having traveled to other developing countries, I am familiar with extreme poverty. I expected to see scarcity and need at the Retalhuleu Hospital; that did not shock me. What I did not anticipate — and what truly moved me — was the COTA team itself. With minimal instruction but with a shared purpose, everyone worked together doing whatever was needed to help.
Most of the people we served are marginalized, often overlooked, and rarely treated with respect. Yet the COTA team listened to them, cared for them with genuine kindness while honoring their dignity.
I cherished the children’s smiles and the parents’ gratitude, often expressed through simple words like, “May God Bless You.” What moved me the most, however, was the team’s selflessness - the humility, the willingness to serve, and their tireless work without expecting anything in return.
I was deeply impressed by everyone’s dedication: the meticulous preparation before the trip, the kitchen crew providing timely meals, the hand-made blankets, toys, and clothes that traveled so far just to be given away, the caring nurses who took extra time to comfort patients, the kind and patient drivers, the remarkable surgeries, the mutual support to one another, and the constant smiles.
For me, COTA 2026 was not only about the people we helped, it was also a powerful and profound reminder that there are still kind/good people in this world – The COTA Team.
I returned home certain that we had made other people’s lives better forever. It was a humbling and heartwarming experience, and I am deeply grateful to have been part of it.

02/22/2026

Today is recreational sports and fitness day!
In Guatemala, a soccer ball isn't just a toy—it’s a symbol of community, joy, and childhood.
For many of the children we meet, conditions like untreated clubfoot, poorly healed fractures, or congenital anomalies have kept them on the sidelines. They watch from the edge of the dirt pitch, wishing they could join the game.
Today, we are changing that narrative. Our orthopedic team is performing surgeries that do more than "fix" a limb—they restore a childhood. By correcting these conditions, we aren't just providing medical care; we are giving these kids the green light to run, jump, and play.
There is no greater reward than seeing a child kick a ball for the first time without pain. Today is about the right to play and the power of movement.

02/14/2026

This Valentine’s Day, our hearts are in Guatemala. ❤️
While many are celebrating with flowers and candy, our team is celebrating the gift of mobility and health. We were honored to be here providing essential general and orthopedic surgeries to those who have waited a long time for care.
From repairing congenital abnormalities to general procedures that provide much-needed relief, every surgery is a labor of love. Seeing a patient take their first steps post-op or seeing the relief on a family member's face—that is the true "sweetness" of this holiday.
A huge thank you to our incredible team of surgeons, nurses, and volunteers who pour their hearts into every procedure. Happy Valentine’s Day from the OR! 🏥🩺

01/25/2026

Just like these sweet kiddos in Reu, our volunteers our bundled up! Safe travels to all volunteers going home through Snow-mageddon!

01/23/2026

It’s not goodbye, just see you later Reu ❤️Thank you to all our patients, hospital staff, volunteers, and community members who make this team possible.

01/23/2026

The final numbers are in! We are discharging the last few patients from the hospital today.

01/23/2026

So many amazing patients and volunteers for COTA 2026❤️

01/22/2026

Surgeries are done! We are tallying up our numbers and will post soon!

Address

838 East High Street # 282
Lexington, KY
40502

Website

http://childrenoftheamericas.org/

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