Just one day after we had our 3rd annual fundraiser in Denver on December 8th, Dr. Mark Speake and his medical team set out from Florida for a week working with our Guatemala team in Camotan. Because it was Christmas time, Dr. Speake and his team (Betty Plum, Liz Speake and Carlos Aguirre, MD) spent one day in the rural mountains giving out Christmas gifts and nutritious food to over 370 residents of Tular, one of the aldeas (remote villages) we frequently visit. It was a wonderful time. None of the children in this village had ever received a Christmas gift (see below).
Children in Tular receiving their Christmas gifts
It is the collaboration with Dr. Speake and his team that makes what we do in Camotan possible. We link physicians and providers from different parts of the US to collaborate, strengthen and expand the work of Camotan Clinic. Our full time staff in the clinic loves to work with each of the different teams that come from the US. Each team brings in supplies, medications and other materials that are needed in the clinic. As those of you who read these blogs know, we try to have a team from the US every 6 weeks in Guatemala.
For the rest of the week, Dr. Speake and Dr. Aguirre visited mountain villages around Camotan and cared for over 400 patients. Most of these patients would not have received medical care had we not gone to them. As always, sicker patients who needed specialty care, surgery or ongoing complex care were referred to Camotan Clinic for further treatment. Additionally, the Florida team brought school supplies for some of the remote mountain schools. Pencils, crayons, paper binders, and other supplies were given to these schools. Each of the aldeas we visit usually has a small, rudimentary classroom like the one pictured (with Dr. Aguirre) below. Not all of these schools have enough supplies for the children they teach so the donations were greatly appreciated.
Dr. Aguirre with a patient
As always, the week was a wonderful time of bonding between cultures. Each team from the US is warmly received by our full time staff. Every week of work together draws us closer together. Lifelong connections are made. It is always with excitement that our teams greet each other at the beginning of the work week. For some of our US visitors, a trip working in Camotan is a life changing experience.
Our December team
Thank you so much for reading! For those of you who do not or cannot come to Camotan but donate, support and pray for us: thank you! Your support is what makes everything we do possible. Thank you.