Commitment to Guatemala

Posted by Barbara Knowles 
 
Our club recently decided to adopt Guatemala as our sister country. Plans are underway to begin several projects. These embrace our motto of Service Above Self and respond to President D. K. Lee's theme "Make Dreams Real" by reducing child mortality. Areas where Rotary service excels are all represented in our plans - water and sanitation, health and hunger, literacy; parntership and collaboration; sustainable change; travel to build goodwill and better friendships. There is much to do as we begin our journey to Guatemala. Please participate in the International Service Committee meeting Thursday, May 7, at Noon at Barbara's home. RSVP via Clubrunner or email or call me directly. Gracias! Barbara

What do our plans include?

1. Travel to Guatemala November, 2009 as part of a medical/surgical team lead by Healing the Children. This team's focus is pediatric audiolgogy and Ear, Nose and Throat surgery. Our club members will travel light, with most baggage allowance being used to carry urgently needed medical supplies. Rotarians will help in all stages of the medical team's work, choosing roles most comfortable for each individual - for example, scribe for doctors, photographer, data entry, escort for children, soothing families and their children before and after surgery, checking vital signs of children, doing tasks requested by the surgeons, anesthesiologists, audiologists. Our members will also meet with local Rotary clubs to establish friendships and plan for the future.

2. Raising Funds to build a medical/surgical/labor and delivery/dental clinic in the village of Montericco - land has been purchased, a Seattle architect has designed the building, and cost estimates are in the final stages. Our club is taking the lead in reaching out to other Rotary clubs to raise funds necessary to build the clinic. Rotarians who travel to Guatemala in November will have the opportunity to visit the building site, meet the community it will serve and help with construction if they like. Each month the clinic will host visiting University of Washington and other medical students, interns and residents and will serve as a training center for local health providers and villagers. We will have the opportunity to visit regularly to carry out new service projects important to improving the health and well-being of children and families in 8 nearby villages.

3. Delivery of Wheelchairs - our goal is to work with District 5050 and the Wheelchair Foundation to deliver and distribute wheelchairs to Guatemalans. You are essential to the evolution and success of Team Guatemala - please come to our focus meeting Thursday May 7.