Fall 2010 « Link for Health

Profile: Project HANDS

Project HANDS is a group of people whose goal is to provide healthcare, education and other support to those who, by chance of birth, have lives less fortunate than their own. Their projects are aimed at improving the quality of rural Mayan life by providing healthcare and education.

Healthcare: Because the Maya have little or no access to medical care, the group sends medical teams to run outreach clinics, and surgical teams to perform elective surgery. As an extension to their idea of bringing surgery to the patients, they are working on a long term project to build a small surgical facility or hospitalito in a rural area.

Their trips usually go to rural northern Guatemala, to the departments of Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz and Quiche. On these trips they work closely with their affiliate Partner for Surgery (PfS), a US based NGO. PfS does all the local ground logistics for the trips and Project HANDS provides a small group of about 5-6 people to run the clinics. These clinics are set up in outlying rural areas where the focus is to find patients who need surgery. However, they also bring a small pharmacy with them and try to help all patients who come to the clinics. The patients who require surgery are then scheduled to have their procedures done either by the next Project HANDS surgical team or other volunteer surgical teams.

The group’s next trips to Guatemala will be:

October, 2010 – Triage trip to El Quiche
November, 2010 – Surgery trip to El Quiche

Education: The majority of Mayan women are homemakers, wives and mothers. However, many have much more to offer their families and communities and wish they could. With the Guatemalan healthcare system desperately sagging and in need of everything from equipment, supplies, medications and professionals (throughout the whole country but especially within the indigenous population), it seems a perfect fit to marry these women with careers in the healthcare sector. When twenty one year old Carmen worked with the group as a Q’eqchi translator in one of their outreach clinics, they saw her potential. Upon asking her if she would like to be a nurse she smiled shyly and said “If only…” implying it was something completely out of her reach. But why should it be? That was enough to start the group thinking, and led to Project HANDS funding young women to continue their education and go on to nursing school.

To find out more about Project HANDS, please visit their website.

Profile: Faith in Practice

The mission of Faith In Practice (FIP) is to improve the physical, spiritual, and economic conditions of the poor in Guatemala through short-term surgical, medical and dental mission trips and health-related educational programs. Their mission is based on an ecumenical understanding that as people of God they are called to demonstrate the love and compassion that is an outward sign of God’s presence among us. Faith In Practice’s life-changing medical mission is to minister to the poor, while providing a spiritually enriching experience for their volunteers.

Currently, their medical teams travel to the most remote and poorest parts of Guatemala, setting up makeshift clinics in rural villages. Working side by side Guatemalan volunteers, their medical teams provide general care and make referrals to Obras Sociales del Santo Hermano Pedro (The Obras), now a hospital that houses four state-of-the art operating rooms thanks to Faith In Practice supporters, and to four additional smaller hospitals throughout Guatemala. Patients now have a safe and pleasant place to stay at their guesthouse, the Casa de Fe, while awaiting and recovering from surgery in Antigua. Their public health initiative has seen the development of the VIA/Cryo Program designed to train Guatemalans to identify and treat pre-cancerous cervical cells. They are currently developing a Preventative and Restorative Dental Program. Through these programs, their more than 800 dedicated volunteers served more than 17,000 patients in 2008.

FIP Mission Teams (click here to see 2010 calendar of trips):

Surgical Teams: Faith In Practice medical and dental teams travel to Antigua, Guatemala which is the base for all the teams. All teams volunteer their services for a week, usually traveling from the US on a Saturday and returning on the following Saturday. Teams are divided into a group of health providers who work at the hospital in Antigua and a group which travels to sites and villages in the countryside to provide family practice medicine and dentistry.

Medical and dental professionals working at the Hermano Pedro Hospital and Orphanage for the poor bring all the supplies they expect to use for performing surgery and post operative care. On Sunday, all surgery candidates are seen and reviewed; and a surgical schedule is prepared. The remainder of the week is spent in surgery at the hospital.

Village Teams: Family practice teams bring trunks of medicines and supplies as well and in the course of treating acute illnesses in the villages often encounter people who need surgical care. These patients are referred to the surgical teams working at the hospital. Often the teams are met with busloads of people hoping to receive medical help.

Dental Teams: Dental professionals accompany both the surgical teams and the family practice teams. There is a well-equipped dental clinic at the Hermano Pedro Hospital where general dentistry and extractions are performed and oral hygiene instructions given. Dental professionals who accompany the family practice teams to rural sites concentrate their efforts on pain relief (extractions) and oral hygiene instruction.

Professional Relationships: The professional relationships that develop between U.S. medical and dental personnel and Guatemalan professionals is an added positive impact of the work Faith In Practice is doing. Every year, Faith In Practice endeavors to present post-graduate type learning experiences to the Guatemalan medical community in Antigua and in Guatemala City. Topics have included Ear Infections, Cancer Pain Control, Ovarian Cancer, Knee Surgery, and Hip Replacement Surgery. Guatemalan surgeons are also invited to the OR in Antigua to learn the latest surgical techniques. Faith In Practice believes developing mutual learning and understanding makes sustainable change possible.

Cooperative Efforts: Faith In Practice makes concerted efforts to keep in touch with sister organizations who are working to improve the life and health of the poor in Central America. Much of the needed change that goes beyond any one organization’s scope can come about by combining resources, time, knowledge and energy.

To learn more about Faith in Practice, please visit their website, Facebook page, Twitter page, or blog.

Announcement: Shalom Foundation Upcoming Trips

The following trips are being sponsored by and/or are associated with The Shalom Foundation. To find out more information, visit their website.

All groups will work in Guatemala City.

Clean Water Trip – Living Waters for the World
Franklin Breakfast Rotary & Kingsport First Presbyterian Church
April 28 – May 3, 2010

Team members will bring clean water systems to Shalom School and The Moore Center for Children’s Health. This team will provide educational literature and classes for students, faculty members and community leaders regarding the importance of clean water and good health. Members will also reach out to the Las Conchas community regarding additional clean water systems for that community and Las Conchas Elementary School. They will spread the Good News as they serve the poor in Guatemala. Led by Dr. John Collins, DDS, Nic Clemmer, Frank Emerson. Contact Allison Bender at abender@theshalomfoundation.org for more information.

Belmont University OT/ PT
May 16 – 22, 2010

For five years, graduate students and faculty members from Belmont University have traveled to Guatemala to provide physical therapy and occupational therapy for children, as well as specialized training for Guatemalan OT/PT students. A team of 40 participants, led by Renee Brown, PT, PhD, Belmont University are planning for another year of service at Hospital Infantil de Infectología y Rehabilitación. The team will also provide instruction to students attending Universidad Mariano Galvez.

Leadership Development Trip, Vanderbilt University
May 21 – 25, 2010

Trip participants will travel with world experts from Vanderbilt University and The Shalom Foundation to learn more about Guatemala and the work being done by Shalom and Vanderbilt in this developing country. The trip will provide a forum for world experts to share their experiences and knowledge of the country, the impact of joint efforts of Vanderbilt and The Shalom Foundation, tours of Shalom Housing worksites, The Moore Center for Children’s Health, Shalom School, and more. Led by Ted Fischer, Director, Latin American Studies, Vanderbilt University; Steve Moore, Chairman, The Shalom Foundation, and Allison Bender, Executive Director, The Shalom Foundation.

Mother to Mother Mission Trip, The Shalom Foundation
May 28 – June 1, 2010

The Shalom Foundation is seeking volunteers who would like to share their love of Christ and children with impoverished women in Guatemala City. This is a great opportunity for mothers to share a wonderful time of service, ministry, spiritual growth and outreach with their own children if they would like to travel together. (Children must be at least 15 to participate.)

The team will prepare for and host a Women’s Health & Wellness Retreat for mothers of Shalom Foundation-sponsored children attending Shalom School. In Guatemala, women are taught very little about basic healthcare and wellness. Poor women rarely see a doctor. Informational classes will be led by medical experts joining the team. It will be special time of learning, bonding, pampering and spiritual renewal for women.

Hendersonville Rotary Dental, Optical & Good Health Clinic
June 12 – 20, 2010

Hendersonville Rotary Club members led by Dr. Bill Taylor and Rip Lebkuecher are planning their second medical trip with The Shalom Foundation in 2010. Dentists, hygienists, eye care professionals, physicians and support team members treated more than 1400 patients while conducting their wellness clinic at Shalom School last year. The Shalom Foundation will be working with all of our Guatemala partners to serve even more individuals this year. Volunteers from this group have participated in medical mission trips to Guatemala for many years.

Housing Mission Trip, The Shalom Foundation
July 2 – 10, 2010

This trip will focus on the construction of homes in the Las Conchas area of Guatemala City, building community with these families and spreading the Good News! Shalom volunteers will also provide a general health and wellness clinic for the community. Participants are welcome from all walks of life. There is a place for everyone! Healthcare workers are encouraged to consider traveling with this team to assist with the clinic. Minimum age requirement is 15 years old.

Housing Mission Trip, The Shalom Foundation
July 30 – August 7, 2010

Pediatric Plastics Surgical Mission Trip, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital
September 11-19, 2010

Leadership & Partner Development Trip
September Date TBD

Housing Mission Trip, The Shalom Foundation
November, 2010 – date TBD

*All upcoming dates are tentative and subject to change.

Profile: Global Dental Relief

Global Dental Relief brings free dental care to impoverished children of Nepal, northern India, Vietnam and Guatemala in partnership with local organizations. Volunteer dentists, hygienists, assistants and non-medical volunteers deliver treatment and preventive care in dental clinics that serve children in schools, orphanages and remote villages.

Travel and logistics for volunteers are coordinated by Global Dental Expeditions, dedicated to humanitarian journeys to serve children in need.

Since 2001, Global Dental has hosted over 600 dedicated dentists, hygienists, dental assistants and non-medical volunteers. Volunteers have treated over 44,000 children with first time and ongoing dental care. Global Dental recalls each population of children every two years to deliver continuous care. After ten years, they see children returning for their third or fourth visits. The results are clear –extractions are rare, restorations small, and children are aware of the importance of diet and consistent oral hygiene. This is the sustainable legacy they strive to leave with every child they treat.

In Guatemala, the group works in conjunction with Behrhorst Partners for Development in Chimaltenango.

This year, the group will host clinics beginning July 23 and November 19. To learn more about Global Dental, please visit their website.

Profile: Project C.U.R.E.

One day, one hospital, one patient at a time, PROJECT C.U.R.E. is changing the world!

PROJECT C.U.R.E. (Commission on Urgent Relief & Equipment) was founded in 1987 to help meet the need for medical supplies, equipment and services around the world. PROJECT C.U.R.E. builds sustainable healthcare infrastructure by providing the medical supplies and equipment that medical personnel need to deliver healthcare to their communities. Since its inception, PROJECT C.U.R.E. has delivered medical relief to needy people in more than 120 countries.

Programs: PROJECT C.U.R.E.’s unique programs are designed to help meet the needs for medical supplies and equipment and medical services in developing nations around the world.

PROCURE: PROJECT C.U.R.E. collects donations of new and overstock medical supplies and working equipment from medical manufacturers, wholesale suppliers, hospitals and clinics. PROJECT C.U.R.E. volunteers sort supplies and test equipment in preparation for delivery to hospitals and clinics around the world.
CORPS: PROJECT C.U.R.E.’s CORPS involves volunteer individuals and groups in the local “hands-on” mission of changing their world. There is no such thing as “just a volunteer” at PROJECT C.U.R.E.
CARGO: Through its CARGO container projects, PROJECT C.U.R.E. delivers donated medical supplies and equipment to hospitals and clinics in countries around the world. Containers are approximately the size of a semi-truck trailer. An average CARGO container provides approximately $400,000 (wholesale) in donated medical equipment and supplies.
KITS: C.U.R.E. KITS are specially prepared boxes containing essential medical supplies and instruments to be carried as luggage on an international flight. C.U.R.E. KITS are designed to meet the needs for short-term medical missions abroad and can be shipped directly to the traveler’s home.
Kits for Kids: An exciting, educational and hands-on project for community groups, students, and families to get involved in Project C.U.R.E.’s mission of “Delivering Health and Hope to the World,” C.U.R.E. Kits for Kids provide home healthcare supplies to parents of children ages zero to 15.
CLINICS: Through C.U.R.E. CLINICS, groups of volunteer medical professionals travel internationally to PROJECT C.U.R.E. recipient sites where they assist in-country doctors and nurses in providing medical services to people in need. From November 27 – December 10, 2010, Project C.U.R.E. will send a medical team to Clinica San Juanerita, located in San Juan La Laguna, Solola District. The local sponsors request that the team work side by side with the local doctor and nurse practitioner and provide health instruction to the community. The team will also travel across Lake Atitlan to El Hospitalito in Santiago for several days to provide general patient care.

To learn more about PROJECT C.U.R.E., please visit their website.

Announcement: Volunteer Opportunity with Project C.U.R.E.

The people of San Juan La Laguna need your help!

Project C.U.R.E. is seeking experienced family practice doctors, dentists, and nurses are to staff a clinic in San Juan La Laguna from November 27 – December 10, 2010. Prominent diseases and areas of treatment include gastrointestinal, fungal infections, respiratory, hypertension, and gynecology.

The cost for this trip is $2,000 including airfare, accommodations, in-country transportation and meals. The work at the clinic can be followed by a short leisure trip around Santiago touring various markets, coffee farms, and nature preserves, and a drive to Antigua, a quaint Spanish city that has been preserved in its original form.

To participate in this rewarding and wonderful opportunity please contact jeanfeist@projectcure.org.

Profile: Orphan Resources International

Orphan Resources International (ORI) believes that every child is special and that God has a plan for each of their lives. Their mission and goal is to aid the children of this world, who through no fault of their own, have found themselves orphaned and alone. They wish to show them that God and many other people do indeed love them.

They aim to provide aid to orphanages in Guatemala, with the vision to expand to other Latin American countries. By supplying physical necessities and volunteers, they help with the care of the orphans and improve the facilities so that the lives of the orphans can be improved for as long as they stay.
To break the cycle of poverty, abandonment and despair, they provide spiritual, vocational and personal development training so that the children may learn and fulfill the purpose that God has for their lives.

One of the ways they show them their love is by improving living conditions at the orphanages. They take food, clothes, toys, and work crews into the orphanages to do construction and remodeling projects and also make sure they have time to give plenty of love. They also wish to make people aware that the greatest need these children have is a place to call home and the love of a family. Currently their organization is only working in Guatemala, but the needs of just this one country are staggering. The number of orphans grows daily. Please pray for these children and their organization as they try to reach out to their needs.

ORI takes work teams to Guatemala every month from January – October. Typical Team activities may include construction, painting, house cleaning, yard work, child care, or any other activities which will improve the children’s living situation. Work teams are housed at a mission complex and transported to their work projects on a daily basis. The average cost for a one week trip with airfare ranges from $1,000 to $1,500.

To learn more about Orphan Resources International, please visit their website. To view their 2010 schedule, please click here.

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