Grassroots Summer 2007

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Why I Volunteer: Dr. Lorinda Parks and Family Our family found El Alto, Bolivia intriguing when we heard it was all indigenous people living at over 13,000ft. What a challenge! My husband Brad, myself and our children (Zaydra 5 and Nevlyn 3) had spent 10 years living in inner-city Minneapolis. We wanted to experience life …without guns (in our neighborhood and abroad), apart from American wealth and sans private vehicles. I have skills as a family physician and Brad is “Mr. Fixit” in every sense of the word. These talents are a good fit for El Alto; there are lots of medical needs and almost everything breaks frequently. We were attracted to Curamericas because they are working in real neighborhoods providing the sort of prevention and treatment that really saves Brad, Lorinda, Zaydra, and lives. We came in September (spring here) 2006 to volunteer Nevlyn in Senkata, Bolivia for 12-18 months. After 5 months here, we are very proud to be connected to Curamericas. Curamericas clinics treat patients with respect and offer services well above what the public health insurance can offer. Poverty does not lower the expectations for good health in Senkata Clinic! My biggest subject to learn about first hand here has been malnutrition! It is staggering! Curamericas has a very good prevention plan. In addition, treatment for children with malnutrition is free and there are home visits to keep track of the most severe cases; offering the parents education if needed. They administer Vitamin A to all the children to prevent blindness and give talks to all the parents in the waiting room daily on nutrition! The main cause of maternal mortality here is mothers giving birth at home. Curamericas is building an addition to the Senkata Clinic to keep it open more hours so women can come for deliveries. Curamericas also has an ambulance available to transport mothers in labor. Considering there are no private vehicles, it is a very needed service. The Aymaran people that live in El Alto have a very rich heritage. It is wonderful that Curamericas employs local doctors that are sensitive to these traditions. The doctors work very hard and are very humble people. Doctors in Bolivia are not rewarded financially as American doctors are; consequently, their level of dedication is even more admirable. Our children have found lots of friends and are leading the way in mastering Spanish! We all have experienced so many open arms and hearts. As we expected, volunteering through Curamericas has given us much more than we could ever give back! And as for spice of life, it is pretty handy to buy eggs, bread, and most other necessities at the next door tienda!

....................................Bolivia Project Spotlight Four years ago, Curamericas/CSRA (Consejo de Salud Rural Andino) began health activities in the Municipal District No.8 in the city of El Alto. At that time, the Municipal Government had two small clinics, each with one physician and one auxiliary nurse who worked half a day serving an estimated 35,000 people. By working very closely with local neighborhood committees, the efforts of Curamericas/CSRA have increased the number of clinics to five. Three of these clinics provide services 12 hours a day and are staffed collectively with 11 physicians, 1 graduate nurse, 13 auxiliary nurses, 2 dentists, and the corresponding administrative staff to help handle the busy waiting rooms. A woman going into the As a result of the tremendous demand for services at the Senkata clinic, Senkata clinic a grant for approximately $85,000 from the Spanish non-profit foundation Photo courtesy of Linda Velonis ANESVAD was awarded to finance the construction to convert the current facility into a 24 hour maternal and child health clinic. The Municipal Government of El Alto will provide the funds for the equipment. The community eagerly anticipates the clinic to be completed in May of this year. Despite the recent increases in staff, the need for more help still exists. The Director of this area, Franz Trujillo, has enlisted local nursing students, both from the Catholic University in the nearby town of Pucarani as well as from the public university in El Alto to do their field practice in the District No. 8 neighborhoods. This year, over 30 students are helping canvas the district door-to-door with relevant child and maternal health messages!

Dr. Frans Trujillo on a home visit Photo courtesy of Linda Velonis

Guatemala Project Spotlight.............................. With the current child survival grant possibly coming to a close in October of this year, Curamericas Guatemala has worked diligently to continue their efforts in the highlands of northwest Guatemala. Recently, they submitted three proposals to the Ministry of Health for the areas of San Miguel Acatan, San Sebastian Coatan, and Nenton. The Ministry of Health has approved these proposals and the planning stages have begun! The project in San Miguel Acatan will cover 23 communities in the municipality, and will serve a total of 8,303 beneficiaries. For San Sebastian Coatan, the project will be in 22 communities and cover 7620 beneficiaries. In Nenton, the project will cover 22 communities and 10,200. (cont. below)

Thank You to Our Volunteers In December, a team of volunteers traveled to Calhuitz, a tiny, remote village in northwestern Guatemala, to construct an addition to the birthing house there. This will give the women a clean, safe place to come and give birth with trained help rather than giving birth in the home alone. Thank you for assisting this community and giving of yourself and your time! Members of the December team in action

(right) Team members with their new friends

Photos courtesy of Ankush Sharma

I felt a strong sense of satisfaction because I knew that this small structure would go a long way to directly helping the people of Calhuitz. I was particularly amazed by the bravery, hospitality, and strength of the local community. Truly, this was a life changing experience. Stephen R. Benz, Curamericas Global work team volunteer

A little child receives a vaccination at his home in Guatemala These projects will complement the current services such as reducing the rates of malnutrition and the mortality rates of infants and children. The staff of Curamericas Guatemala would like to continue these services for years to come. They have taken the first steps towards sustainability. These projects are considered long-term and will be reviewed annually.

Patti, a Curamericas Guatemala health educator, makes a home visit

In Honor Of:

Sara Espada Henry Perry

Mrs. Jerry Adams Robert W. Goodman

Doris Eyler Bob and Mary Etta King

All My Family Lillie Perry

Elizabeth Fields Wake Forest Wesley Foundation

Kenneth Benson Anonymous Carrie Blackburn Peter J. Albrecht Fred and Nancy Blackley David Blackley Nancy Blackley David Blackley Davis Blanton Carl and Bette Shafer Ann Blanton

Betty Flanagan Carl and Bette Shafer Florence B. Gaynes David and Ruth Gaynes Jess Gormley Deborah Frohnerath Dawn Griesen Anonymous Dr. Will Harrill Anonymous

Clint and Kalyn Matthews Bill and Beth Snyder Karen Melk Karen and Richard Johnson Bruce Fisher and Tina Manis Florrie Mercer Yolanda Ferguson Bruce and Jean Pate Mt. Zion United Methodist Church (Clyde, NC) Fincher’s Chapel UMW and Fincher’s Chapel UMC Charles and Florrie Mercer Bill Cottingham

Kim Bourassa Kirk Jackson

Sandra Hartford Jean Hartford-Todd

Loyde and Sarah Middleton Jim Middleton

Virginia Broiles Kirk Jackson

Bob and Mary Hartley Barbara Robison

Maude Middleton Marion S. Chamberlain

Rob and Will Byrd Linden Byrd

Betty Jo Hedges Jill and Chuck Ramsey

Martha S. Millsaps Clyde C. Millsaps

Ann Canipe Virginia Canipe

Patricia Mintz and Greg Lieberknecht Anonymous

Bob Caufield Ruth Ann Caufield

Frank Houser Pat Stanfill Edens Anonymous Stephen J. Horner Federation of American Hospitals Research Services Dept. – HCA

Ruth Ann Caufield Henry Perry

Frank and Joyce Houser Henry Perry

Bob and Ruth Ann Caufield Barbara Robison

Bill Jarrett Anonymous

Maggie Carttar Barbara Robison

Dardo Chavez Henry Perry Laura Clark Teresa Wolf Martha Edens Clark Henry Perry Patricia Colhoun Sandy Colhoun Pete Colhoun Alexander Colhoun Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Creed Mrs. Claude Sharpe Kathleen Daniels Dr. and Mrs. Theodore Myers Rev. Robert and Ella Jean Davis Evelyn and Thorton Hawkins Candida deSosa Dr. and Mrs. Alfred Pavot Claire Edwards Mark and Marilyn Edwards Joey Edwards Mark and Marilyn Edwards

Wes Jones Henry Perry Holly Link Wes and Lucy Jones Fern Culbreth Walter F. Hunter Mike Jordan Henry Perry Sophia Alexandra Kahn Dr. Jason Kahn and Melody Fadness

Barbara Robison Maggie Carttar Nat Robison Thomas and Charly Tella Henry Perry Ann Robison Jane Rooks Virginia Canipe Amber Rudder Teresa Wolf Asuncion Santana Carl and Bette Shafer Joyce Eppler Seal Clara Milko Merritt Seshul Anonymous David Shanklin Henry Perry Ankush Sharma Dirk Neyhart Bonnie Jones Shinneman Henry Perry Maxine Stiver Roberta Mahan Ernest and Sheila Sundaram Henry Perry

Ruth Moll Roger and Beverly Parks

Marjorie Terrell David Terrell

My Family Mr. and Mrs. David Terrell

Eve Van Devender Wayne and Amy Van Devender

Marcella Myers Dr. and Mrs. Theodore Myers

Cathy Ward Teresa Wolf

Jill Nobles Teresa Wolf Our Family and Friends Dr. Richard and Kathleen Hirata Our Son Shawn and Helen Svoboda-Barber Cherry Page Peter J. Albrecht

Curamericas Global would like to thank Dr. Frank Houser for his years serving as the Chairman of our Board of Directors. We appreciate his dedication and love for the people in our project areas. His leadership has been an inspiration and driving force behind all we do. Thank you, Dr. Houser.

Annabelle Kropft Eric and Teresa Wolf

Richard and Lila Palmiter Alan R. Palmiter and Fabiola Bojanini

Rachel LaBruyere Anonymous Philip Morris

Brad and Lorinda Parks Hans Peterson and Heidi Morlock

Prentice, Bill, & Rob Weldon Martha Thompson

Jonathan Lee-Melk Trisha Wong Joel J. Beer

Dr. Henry Perry Frank Jordan

The Reverend Dr. Wayne Wiatt Carl and Bette Shafer

Dr. and Mrs. T.K. Li Ralph Corey and Jennifer Li Avery Manchester Henry Perry Pat Martin Henry Perry Cynthia Martinez Teresa Wolf

Holden and Chase Perry C. Robert and Sandra Hartford Lillie B. Perry Scott and Susan Lineberry Carl and Doris Stam Rick Reifenberg James and Jean Reifenberg

Alice Weldon Henry Perry

Juanita Wibker Mike and Lynne Randall Patricia Willson Her loving husband Roger Winsor Michael Winsor Ruth Marie Wolf Eric and Teresa Wolf


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