Monterrico Update

Posted by Gary O'Rielly on Feb 07, 2017
 
Our guest speaker February 3, 2017 was Dr. Mike Mallahan accompanied by our former member Barbara Knowles updating us on the Monterrico Education Center and Clinic. Dr. Mallahan commented that because of our Club's good work on the Monterrico project he decided to join the Rotary Club of Mill Creek six years ago and currently the Club President.
 
The Monterrico Clinic is now staffed by Cuban doctors. Most people in Guatemala lack access to proper health care. Currently, the Monterrico Clinic has a audiologist on staff. Monterrico is now a working clinic. Recently, more than 50 people spent their holiday or vacation time serving the Hospital Quirigua Work on evaluations with surgery follow ups and more working on the community outreach clinic.
 
 
Six audio techs are training eight local Guatemalans to learn how to help examine the children with hearing issues. Child entertainment specialists are the most important helpers. When Dr. Mallahan visits the clinic, not only does he work his co-workers hard, they have plenty of hard play time as well.
 
Dr. Mallahan stated that he needs dentists to accompany him to Monterrico. He added that whenever he travels to Monterrico he does have a dentist traveling with him. There is always a need for more dentists. Locally, there is a dental advisory committee working with Dr. Mallahan and Healing the Children. Tracy agreed to work with the advisory committee.
 
There will be a few medical trips going to Guatemala over the next two years- August and November of this year and sometime in 2018. Dr. Mallahan asked if anyone wanted to go next year. Several members expressed interest.
 
A bit of information about the town of Monterrico which is situated on the Pacific coast of Guatemala in the department of Santa Rosa. Guatemala is about the size of the state of Washington. Known for its volcanic black sand beaches and annual influx of sea turtles, the town also serves as a major weekend beach resort for citizens of Guatemala City. Monterrico is a small beach town still mainly an undeveloped touristic designation where you will have the beach to yourself.