HealthCareandEducationinGuatemala
ODIMANNUALREPORT 2022IMPACT
2 CONTENTS HOWWEWORK..............................................................................................3 LETTERFROMTHEEXECUTIVEDIRECTOR..........................................................4 OURIMPACT,2022YEARINREVIEW................................................................6 GETTINGTOKNOWOURMEDICALDIRECTOR.................................................8 TAKINGCAREOFTHECARETAKERwithMelynaCholotíoPérez.......................10 OVERVIEWOFPROGRAMS............................................................................12 WHYDOWEBECOMEVOLUNTEERS?WithDirtyGirlAdventures(DGA)..........16 DR.JEFFREY(CHIP)LUERDING—ATributetoaFriendofODIM........................17 WHYSHOULDYOUCOMETOGUATEMALA?.................................................18 ULTIMATEGUATEMALACHALLENGE—TheAdventureofaLifetime..................19 ODIMAMBASSADORS...................................................................................20 WHEREYOURDONATIONSGO......................................................................21 SPECIALTHANKS...........................................................................................22
HOWWEWORK
AtOrganizationfortheDevelopmentoftheIndigenous Maya(ODIM)weprovidecommunity-driven,highquality andculturallycompetenthealthandeducationservicesto theindigenouscommunitiesofSanPabloandSanJuanLa LagunainGuatemala.
Ourservicesincludetwomedicalclinicsstaffedbybilingual Spanish/Tz’utujilspeakingnursesandaGuatemalanphysi‐cian,aswellasadentalclinic.Additionally,ODIMoffers fivecommunityhealthandeducationprogramstoprevent illhealthandpromoteanelevatedqualityoflife.Ourpro‐gramsendeavortobemulti-faceted,evidence-basedandcul‐turallyaligned.
AtODIM,foreignandlocalstaffworksidebyside,com‐mittedtoimprovingthelivesofthepeopleweserve.We employ36staffinthetwocommunitiesofSanPabloandSan JuanLaLaguna—26full-timeemployeesand10part-time. 81%ofourstaffareTz’utujilMaya,14%areGuatemalan nationals(butnotTz’utujil)and5%areforeign.83%ofour staffarewomen.
Vision: Tobeanationallyandinternationallyrecognized leaderinhealthcareandpreventativehealtheducation.
Mission: Toenableaccesstohealthcareandpreventative healtheducationforthepopulation,withequality,honesty, andconfidentiality,thatisfocusedonprogramsthat promotedevelopmentandempowermentofthecommuni‐tiesofSanPabloandSanJuanLaLaguna.
TOMAKEADONATION
ONLINE: www.odimguatemala.org/donate
CHECKPAYABLETOODIM,MAILEDTO: MarthaStowe
1527WatersideCt. Dallas,Texas75218
Contact:executive.director@odimguatemala.org or communications.manager@odimguatemala.org
EDITORIALSTAFF
Editor:VanessaHernández,ArelyJuarez
GraphicDesign:AprilHull
Photos:DamianSaravia
Aspecialthankyoutoourprinter
RalphMyersatMpress
©ODIMGUATEMALA2022
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ALETTERFROM THEEXECUTIVEDIRECTOR
Astheworldlearnstolivewiththenewnormal,Guatemalacontinuestoshowsigns ofdelaysinhighervaccinationratesandcontinuestofaceagreatchallengetostem theadvanceofthepandemic.TheODIMstaffhaveachieveda100%completionrate ofthevaccinationseriesandboosters,whilethecommunitiesweservecontinueto experienceamuchlowercompletionrate.
Wecontinuetogrow.InGuatemala,theincidenceofcervicalcanceroccupiessecond placeingynecologicalcancersandfirstplaceinwomen’scancerdeathswithan averageof793deathsyearly,whichencouragedustomakeadvancestoofferaccess toqualityprofessionalservicesinwomen’shealth.In2022,weinitiatedSaluddela Mujer(Women’sHealth),aprojecttoprovidewomenaccesstogynecological servicestodetectandpreventvaginaldiseases,especiallycervicalanduterinecancers. WithsupportfromgreatmedicalalliesfromtheU.S.,ourmedicalstaffreceived trainingtodeveloptheirdetectionskillsandtheynowofferteststodetectvarious vaginalinfections.In2023,wehopewewillbeabletoofferPap(Papanicolaou)tests todetectandhelppreventcancer.
Intermsofchronicchildhoodmalnutrition,thedatademonstratethatduringthe pandemic,therateofmalnutritiondoubled,evenamongtheparticipantsinour HealthyMommyandMeprogram,asfamiliesfacedatremendouschallengetofeed themselvesduetoalackofincome.WereceivedsupportfromtheSouthKorean organizationWorldshare,whichprovidedfundsforfreshvegetables,vitamins,and nutritionsupplementstoparticipantsintheHealthyMommyandMeprogram.We arealsoverythankfultotheparticipantsintheUltimateGuatemalaChallenge(see page19)fortheirgreateffortsandforallthedonorswhohelpedraise$21,000.This wasagreataccomplishmentindeed!
AnothermilestonewereachedwashavingourVolunteersbackinGuatemalaafter threeyearsofthepandemic.ThankstothemandthedonorsoftheHighImpact HomeImprovementprogram,weinstalledefficientwood-burningstovesandwater filterstobenefit336peopleinSanPabloandSanJuanLaLaguna.
Althoughthepandemichasstronglyimpactedeverycontextofourwork,wemust facethenewstatisticsandchallengesineducation,accesstohealthcare,malnu‐trition,andtheeconomy.Ourresolvetoprovideaccesstoqualityeducationand healthcareisstrongerthanever.Ourstaffhasdemonstratedthroughoutthese criticalyearsthatwehavenotdeterredfromservingthecommunities.Andnowthat wearecomingoutofthecrisisandconfrontingnewrealities,wewillcontinueour strongcommitmenttoworkforthecommunities.
Ifeelverythankfultohavetheopportunitytoleadamarvelousorganization,to contributetoandtoimpactwithpassionandcommitmentthepeopleinthe communitiesofSanPabloandSanJuanLaLaguna.Thisworkweaccomplishwith you,dearallies,forwecouldnotaccomplishitwithoutyourincrediblesupport.I endthisletterwithaheartfilledwithgratitudeforallourODIMallies.Thankyou foraccompanyingusthroughoutthisgreatyear!
AméricaCastro, ExecutiveDirector
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“Anothermilestonewereachedwashaving ourVolunteersbackinGuatemalaafterthree yearsofthepandemic.Thankstothemandthe donorsoftheHighImpactHomeImprovement program,weinstalledefficientwood-burning stovesandwaterfilterstobenefit336people inSanPabloandSanJuanLaLaguna.”
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OUR IMPACT!
2022YEARINREVIEW
2, 314
HEALTHY MOMMY&ME
MEDICALANDDENTALSERVICES
254 newpatientsregisteredinourclinics
1,017 treatmentsfordiabetes(Metformin/Insulin)
2,936 laboratorytests
1,841 familyplanningmethodsdelivered
318 antibiotictreatments
101 prenatalconsultations
85 BachFlowertreatments
COVID-19RESPONSE
12 workshopsonvaccinationoffered inprograms
175 mothersandbabiesenrolledintheprogram
832 foodvouchersdeliveredtomothers
122 workshopsconductedbyourhealthpromoters
32 supportgroupsessionsformotherscarriedout byourhealthpromoters
22 mothersandtheirbabiesgraduatedafter1,000 daysintheprogram
73% ofthebabiesgraduatedfromourprogramwitha healthyheightandweightatage2
73 follow-upappointmentstochecktheheightand weightofbabies
100% ofODIMstaffarevaccinated
149 ODIMparticipantswho arevaccinated
100% ofLet’sWalkTogetherprogramhigh-risk participantsvaccinated,comparedto24.3% ofthegeneralpopulationinSanPablo(and 38.9%inSanJuanLaLaguna)
9 employeesreceivedfreefooddeliverywhile inquarantine
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peoplebenefittedfromourworkonabudgetof$435,100
ACHIEVINGDREAMS (Scholarships)
69% passedontothenextschoolyear
155 treesplantedinthecommunitybyour students
54 handcraftsmadebyourstudentsweresold
30 adolescents,aged11–13,graduated in2022fromourfive-monthcourse
5 educationalvideosbroadcastonlocalTV
91% comprehensionofhealthtopicsattheendof theprogram(comparedto59%atthestart)
111 individualsattendedseveneducationalwork shopscarriedoutbyourhealthpromoters
9 ODIMAmbassadorsgave$92,800 6 churchesdonated$72,100
$36,500 wasreceivedingrants
$26,500 wasraisedbysixteamsofvolunteers
$5,500 wasreceivedintotalpatientdonations
3,627 ADMINISTRATION LETʼSWALKTOGETHER (Diabetes)
HIGHIMPACTHOME
78 waterfiltersand66stovesinstalled 336 individualsobtainedaccesstosafedrinkingwater andcleanair 146 monitoringandevaluationinterviewscarriedout 66
IMPROVEMENTS ADOLESCENTHEALTH
310 FUNDRAISING
480
102 housevisitscarriedouttovulnerablepatients 87 workshopscarriedoutbyourhealthpromoters 33 supportgroupsessionscarriedoutbyourhealth promoters
13 patientswithdiabetes benefitedfromour program
40% ofthepatientsfromSanPabloand45%from SanJuanhavecontrolledsugarlevels
foodvouchersdeliveredtodiabetespatients
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students in2022
INTHEPROGRAM
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Only11%wenttoadministration Eightnewemployeeswerehired FAMILIESENROLLED
INDIVIDUALDONORS GAVE$82,000
GETTINGTOKNOW OURMEDICALDIRECTOR
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Healthcarehasalwaysbeenourmilestone.We’reconstantlylookingfornewwaysto reachmorepeopleinthecommunities,andatthesametimeenhancemedicalattention forourpatients.Thepandemicmadeusrealizehowimportantitwastounifyour MedicalClinicsandEducationalProgramstohavebetterfollow-ups,customizetreat‐ments,andcollectexactdata.
Thisrepresentedahugestepforus!So,weneededanincredibleprofessionalwhocould matchourchallenge,andthat’swhereDr.AndreaGarcíajoinedourteam!
IknewfromaveryyoungagethatIwantedtostudymedicine.Myrolemodelwasmymother, whohadasmallgeneralphysicianclinicinourhomewhenIwasveryyoung.Shepassedaway whenIwas13,andthismademydecisiontobecomeafuturedoctorevenstronger.
IattendedmedicalschoolattheonlypublicUniversityinGuatemala,UniversidaddeSan CarlosdeGuatemala.Fromthere,Iwentstraightintoaresidencyprogramforpediatrics, onlytofindoutthatthehospitalwasnotmyfavoriteplacetopracticemedicine.WhileI couldhelpmanypeopleinthehospital,Ibelievedthatthelackofeducationandpreventa‐tivehealthcarewasthecauseofmostcasesItreated.So,Ifinallydecidedtodoamaster’s programinFoodSecurityandNutritionatINCAPwiththeUniversityofSanCarlos. Understandingthemultiplefactorsfordisease,Isoughtworkincommunityhealth.
HavingworkedinSololá’scommunitiessince2016,Ifellinlovewiththelakeandthe beautifulcommunitiesandwomenIworkedwith.JumpingonboardasMedicalDirector forODIMwasatruehonorandaneasyshiftforme.Unitingmyloveforpreventative healthandtheSololácommunity,workingatODIMhasbeenatrueblessing.
MyworkatODIMasMedicalDirectorfocusesonqualityimprovement,datacollection, andatthesametimeIusemymedicalknowledgetosupportODIM´sleadersintherevi‐sionandexecutionofmedicalattention,programs,andcommunityeducationcurricula.
MyfavoritepartofworkingatODIMisworkingalongsidesuchstrong,intelligent,and empoweredTz’utujilwomen.Ireallybelievethatmycoworkersbringsomuchtothetable andplayavitalroleinthesuccessofODIM’scommunityhealthcareprogramsandclinics. Icontinuouslylearnfromthem.
ItiswidelyknowninGuatemalathataccesstoqualityhealthcareandeducationisavailable tothosewhospeakSpanishandliveinurbanareas.Anyoneoutsidethosecriteriaisatthe mercyoftheunderfundedpublichealthcaresystemwithSpanish-speakingdoctorswho rarelypracticeinthecountry'sruralareas.Livinginscarcitywithoftenunderpaidinformal employmentandagriculturaldayjobs,familieshavedifficultygettingoutofthevillagesto reachapublichealthcarepost.Iftheycanpayforthetransportation,theywillmostlikely needtobuytheirtreatmentbecauseofthelackofmedicinefundedbythegovernment.
Withthisreality,whenacommunityhealthcareprovideroffershelp,education,or medicine,itisnotaneasytaskbecauseofpreviousbadexperiencesofthecommunity members.Thefactthathealthcareprovidersarefromthesamecommunityandspeaktheir languagebreaksbarriersoftenfacedinotherpublicorprivatehealthcareclinics.For example,thefactthatpatientscanlearninTz´utujilaboutwhatdiabetesisandwhatthat meanstotheirbodiesisahugesteptowardovercominglanguageandtrustbarriers.
ODIMisconstantlysearchingforopportunitiestoimprovethequalityofservicesin healthcareandeducation.During2022,weidentifiedtheimportanceofafull-timephysi‐cianwithintheclinicsforODIM.Webelievethiswillsupportourprimarycarenursesin day-to-daypatientcareandgiveODIMauniqueinsightastoneedswithintheclinicand opportunitiesforqualityhealthcareforourcommunitymembers.
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TAKINGCAREOFTHE CARETAKER withMelynaCholotíoPérez
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Asateam,weareusedtotakingcareofothers.Dailywetakecareofpregnantwomen,babies,mothers,teenagers,students, patientswithdiabetes,andallotherkindsofdiseases.Oureducationalprogramsandclinicsareopentoanyoneseeking supportormedicalattention.Nevertheless,in2021thingswerereversed:Someonetookcareofus.
Anincredibledonorsponsoredour36staffmembersbycoveringhealthinsuranceforayear.Thiswasextremelyusefulfor thestaffbecauseitallowedthemtofocusontheirwell-beingalongwiththeirrelatives.
TOGIVEYOUABETTERPERSPECTIVEONIT,WESPOKEWITHMELYNACHOLOTÍOPÉREZ, THEDIRECTOROFCOMMUNITYANDCLINICALPROGRAMS,TODISCUSSHOWTHE HEALTHINSURANCEHELPEDHERWITHHERDISEASE.THISISHERSTORY:
In2012IhadmyfirstvisittotheSanjuaneritaClinicasapatient.Onthewalls oftheclinicIsawaflyerforaworkshopondiabeteswhichcaughtmyattention, soIdecidedtosignup.Lateron,Iheardaboutajobopeningasahealthpro‐moterinthe“Let’sWalkTogether”program,soIappliedandhappilywashired!
In2013Ishiftedtohealthpromoterforthe“ReproductiveHealth”program,andin 2014heldtheCoordinatorpositionofthe“Let’sWalkTogether”and“Reaching Dreams”programs.In2017,IwaspromotedtothepositionofAssistantManagerof CommunityPrograms,whichrepresentedamazinggrowthforme!In2020,I acceptedthepositionofManagerofCommunityPrograms,andfinallyin2023, embracedanewchallengeasDirectorofCommunityandClinicalPrograms.
Inaddition,ODIMgavemeascholarshipin2015thatallowedmetocontinue andfinishedmyClinicalPsychologystudies.Ihavehadseveraleducational trainingprocessesanddiplomas,aswellasinternshipswithdifferenthealthpro‐fessionals.Ilovetoguide,accompany,andlistentopeoplewhointeractwithme orrequestmysupport.ItmakesmefeelincrediblebecauseIcanhelpothersthe samewaythey’vehelpedme.
Abouttheincrediblenews:Whenwereceivedthedonationforhealthinsur‐ance,thefirstthingIthoughtwasthatIwouldhavetheopportunitytoperform mythyroidhormoneteststoverifythedoseofmedication.Itwasablessingto receivethisbenefitbecauseitisthefirsttimesincemyyearsworkingatODIM thatemployeeshavehadallthoseopportunities.
Mycolleaguesareverygratefultothedonortoo.Manyofusmanagedtodo somethingforourhealthafterwaitingalongtime.Severaluseditforthemselves, othersforthehealthoftheirchildren,orotherfamilymemberswithmedical needs,whichisalsoimportant.Everyonewasreallyhappytohavethisgift!
Ithelpedmewithlaboratorytestsandtobuymedicinesthatwereprescribedto me.SoIwasabletohaveaccesstomorecheck-upswithspecialistsandreceived moremedicalattention.
Myheartisfullofjoyknowingthattherearepeoplearoundtheworldwho thinkofusandourwell-being.Mygratitudeisimmensetothedonorforallher kindness,empathy,andcompassiontoODIMemployees.MayGodgive wisdomandblessingstoherlife!
Humanbeingsneedthesupportofsomeoneelseandourincredibledonorhadabig hearttogiveusthatsupportthatbenefitedmorethan30peopleandtheirfamilies.
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OVERVIEWof PROGRAMS
TheOrganizationfortheDevelopmentoftheIndigenous Maya,orODIMGuatemalaprovidescommunity-driven healthcareandeducationintheindigenoustownsofSan PabloandSanJuanLaLaguna.
ODIMoperatestwomedicalclinicsandoffersanarrayof servicestopatientsincludingprimarycare,prenatalcare, diabetestreatments,medication,familyplanning,andlabo‐ratorytesting.
Patientspayanominalfee(about$3),butnopatientsare turnedawayforlackoffunds.Ourclinicprovidesan averageof5,500treatmentsayeartopatients,manyof whomwouldotherwisenotbeabletoaffordtreatment.
ODIMalsooperatesadentalclinic,providingpatientswith cleaning,fillings,andextractions. Todate,itremainsthe onlydentalclinicofitskindintheregiontoprovideafford‐ablecare.
Inadditiontooperatingmedicalanddentalclinics,ODIM runsfivecommunityprogramsaddressingarangeofcom‐munityneedsincludingchildhoodmalnutrition,adoles‐centhealth,tutoringandenrichmentclassestostudents, diabeteseducation,andsafestovesanddrinkingwater. Theseprogramsarebothevidence-basedandculturally alignedandareledbymembersofthecommunityinboth SpanishandtheMayalanguageofTz’utujil
ReachingDreams/AlcanzandoSueños
BUDGET:$27,050 COORDINATOR:PAULINAQUIACAÍN
ODIM’sfirstcommunityeducationprogram,“Reaching Dreams/AlcanzandoSueños”,wasfoundedin2008withthe goalofbreakingthecycleofpovertyforchildreninSanPablo LaLagunathrougheducationalscholarships.
Fouroutof10childreninSanPabloarenotinschool,and80% ofthosewhoare,dropoutbefore6thgrade.Themajorityof familieslist“lackoffunds”astheprincipalreasonfornotbeing abletocontinuetheirchild’seducation.
Eachyear,thisprogramhelpspromisingjuniorhighand highschoolstudentsreachtheiracademicgoalsbyoffering scholarships,fundedbygeneroussponsors,tocovertheir schooltuition,books,supplies,anduniforms.
ODIMscholarshipstudentsalsoreceivesupplemental tutoringbyODIMpromotersinEnglish,Mathematics, SexualEducation,andComputingaswellascomplimentary accesstoprimarymedicalanddentalcareinourclinics.To givebacktotheircommunity,studentsorganizemonthly communityserviceprojectsthatsupportlocalenvironmental andconservationeffortsintheirhometown.
Achievementsin2022: Weenrolledsevennewstudents andaccomplishedmorethan120reinforcementclasses.In addition,weworkedwithinthecommunitytobecome greener,collecting95sacksofinorganicwasteandplanting 155trees.Ourstaffreceivedmultipletrainingsessionstobe abletoimplementnewlearningstrategieswiththestudents. Wesalutethehardworkofthesestudentsandthesupport fromtheirfamiliesandsponsors.
Forjust$95amonthyoucansponsoroneofourstudents inthescholarshipprogram.
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BUDGET:$30,275
COORDINATOR:KELLYMENDOZACHOLOTÍO
DiabetesisawidespreadhealthissueinGuatemalathat affects30%ofmenand27%ofwomennationally.
ODIM’s“Let’sWalkTogether”diabetesprogramprovides educationaboutlivinghealthywiththedisease,exercise, cookingclasses,andbi-weeklysupportgroups.Thepro‐gram’sgoalistoempowerparticipantstotakecontrolof theirhealthandlivethehealthiestlifepossible.Participants alsoreceivehealthconsultations,housevisits,regularglucose andA1Cchecks,andextremelylow-costmonthlymedicines (atapproximately$1.50permonth).
Achievementsin2022: Seventeenofourmostvulnerable patientslearnedhowtochecktheirownsugarlevelsand administertheirowninsulin.Plus,wewereabletoprovide severalclinicalworkshopsandmedicalappointmentsledby excellentforeigndoctors.Thankstothevitalsupportofour donors,weincreasedthefoodbasketvalueforallparticipants, whichrepresentedahugehelptoourmostvulnerablepatients
who,becauseoftheirseveredisease,havefewerchancesto workinregular-incomejobsintownsaroundtheLake.
Eachyearwehelppatientswithdiabetesmanagetheir symptomsandlivehealthylives.
YoucansponsoraparticipantinCaminemosJuntosfor$35 amonth.
BUDGET:$43,279
COORDINATOR:ROSARIOLEJA
ODIM’s“HealthyMommy&Me”programwasfounded in2015aspartoftheglobalmovement: “1,000daysto changethelifeofachild”.Eachyearweworkwithatleast 120mothersandtheirbabies.Guatemalahasoneofthe highestratesofmalnutritionintheworld,with47%of
childrenunderagefivesufferingfromchronicmalnutrition. Thelong-termconsequencesfortheirphysicalhealthand intellectualdevelopmentaredevastating.Theprogram includesfourmethodsofintervention:prenatalandpost‐natalhealthcareformothersandinfantsuptotwoyearsof age,educationfocusedonchilddevelopmentandhealthy nutritionusinglocalfoodsources,monthlydistributionof nutritionalsupplements,andmonthlysupportgroups.
Achievementsin2022:Keepinginmindthevulnerability ofthegroup,weadaptedourworktomaintainCovidpro‐tocolsbydividingthemomsandbabiesintosmallergroups toreducecrowdingintheclinicspaces.Wearehappytosay wedeliveredprenatalvitamins,foodbaskets,hygienekitsfor babies,andsupplementsforchildrenwithgrowthretarda‐tiontoall175participantsovertheyear.Asforthestaff, theywereinconstanttrainingtolearnhowtotakebetter careofmothersandbabiesinruralcontexts.
Forjust$55amonthyoucansponsoramotherandchild inthisprogram.
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HealthyMommy&Me/MamáyYoSaludable
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Let’sWalkTogether/CaminemosJuntos
BUDGET:$21,158
COORDINATOR:BETTYPÉREZ
Guatemalahasoneofthehighestratesofteenagepregnancyin allCentralAmerica.84%ofwomeninGuatemalahavetheirfirst childbeforetheyreachage20,oftenearlier.Meanwhile,the public-schoolcurriculumoftentruncatesoromitstopicson sexualeducation,anddiscussionregardingtopicsofsexisataboo subjectinhouseholdsofthecommunitieswherewework.
ODIM’sAdolescentHealthempowersyouthinSanPablo andSanJuanlaLagunathroughcomprehensivesexualhealth education.Participantslearnaboutgenderequality,consentin relationships,humanrights,sexualorientation,birthcontrol methods,physicaldevelopment,andmentalhealth.Plus,they becomepeereducatorsintheircommunities.Wealsoprovide educationforparents,familymembersandteachers
Achievementsin2022: Thirtyadolescentsfromthetwo communitiesgraduatedfromthefive-monthcourse.InSan PabloLaLaguna,theparticipantsincreasedtheirknowledge, asmeasuredbypre-andpost-tests,from50%to83%;InSan JuanLaLagunatheincreasewasfrom68%to98%.ODIM promotersledtwelvesupportgroupswiththetopicsofSelfesteem,Alcoholism,andDepression.Plus,60workshopsand fiveeducationalvideosthataimedtoteachthecommunity aboutFamilyplanningmethods,Consent,andsexual harassment.
Forjust$36amonth,youcansponsoroneofourstudents foronemonthofthefive-monthcourse.
HighImpactHomeImprovements(HIHI)/ ViviendaSaludable
BUDGET:$29,350
COORDINATOR:JUANAUJPAN
Foundedin2018,ODIM’sHighImpactHomeImprove‐mentprogramaimstoimprovethehealthoflow-income familiesinSanPabloandSanJuanthroughimpactfulhome interventions.Familiesinourprogramreceiveefficient, wood-burningstovesthatreduceoreliminatesmokeinthe homesand Ecofiltro waterfilters,whichreduceandelimi‐natethenumberofbacteriaindrinkingwater.Thesetwo homeinterventionscombattheprevalenceofrespiratory andintestinalillnessescausedbytoxicsmokeinhalationand consumptionofcontaminatedwater.Eachfamilyalso receivessixeducationalsessionstolearnhowtouseand maintaintheseinterventionsaswellasstrategiestomaintain theoverallhealthandhygieneofthehome.
Achievementsin2022: Atotalof66householdsinSan PabloandSanJuanreceivedstovesandEcofiltros,which benefitted336individuals.Additionally,ODIMpromoters conducted146follow-upmonitoringvisitsinhouseholds
thatwerepastrecipientsofstovesandfilters.Plus,ninefilter unitswerechanged.ODIMpromotersalsoreceivedcon‐stanttrainingfromouralliesandproducedoneinstruc‐tionalvideofocusedonhowtobuildstovestohelpvolun‐teergroups.
For$470youcanprovideanOnilstove,Ecofilter,andclasses foronefamily!
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AdolescentHealth/SaluddelAdolescente
MedicalClinics
BUDGET:$114,489
ADMINISTRATOR(MedicalandDental): MELYNACHOLOTÍOPÉREZ
DIRECTOROFCOMMUNITYAND CLINICALPROGRAMS
Ourtwomedicalclinicsprovidehighquality,culturallycom‐petent,affordableprimaryhealthcaretothepopulationsof SanPabloandSanJuanLaLaguna.Theprovidersinclude bilingualSpanish/Tz’utujilspeakingnursesandaphysician localtothecommunity.Patientsusuallypayadonationof $3,thoughnooneisturnedawayforlackoffunds.
Achievementsin2022: Wereached254newpatientsin thetwocommunities,whichreflectsthestrongtrustpeople haveinourwork.Theclinichealthpromotersalsocon‐tinuedhomevisitstomotherswhohadrecentlygivenbirth, monitoredthemothers’andbabies’health,andhelpedfam‐iliesdevelopaplanforthecareofboththemotherandchild. Atthesametime,weexpandedoureducationanddistribu‐tionofcontraceptivemethodsandreinforcedourvaluable alliancewithALAS(Wings)Guatemalatogivelocalwomen freeaccesstolong-termcontraceptivemethods.
DentalClinics
BUDGET:$22,954
DentistryinGuatemalaischaracterizedbybeingexpensive, anddifficulttoaccess.Ourdentalclinicremainsastheonly oneofitskindwithinSanPabloandSanJuanLaLaguna communities,providingcleaning,fillings,restoration,pulp therapy,andextractionservicestoallpeople.
Ourmaingoalistoteachpeoplethatitisbettertotakecare oftheirteeththantotrytofixthem.Manypatientscometo havetheirteethextractedandareverysurprisedwhenwe showthemthatourjobistheopposite:Strivetosavethem!
Achievementsin2022:Weareback!Afterthelockdown causedbyCOVID-19,allhealthserviceswereaffected,espe‐ciallythedentalservice.ODIM’sdentalclinicwasonbreak forseveralmonthsandinAugustofthisyear,wewereable toformanewteamtoreactivatedentalcare.Thisnewstage comeswithnewproposalsaswemanagedtoreducethe numberofdentalextractionsandincreasethenumberof restorationsinpatients,allthankstoanotherachievement: theacquisitionofnewdentalmaterialsforpulptherapies. PeopleinSanJuanandSanPablolaLagunanowknowthat toothextractionisnottheironlyoption.
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WhyDoWeBecomeVolunteers? WithDirtyGirlAdventures(DGA)
1.Forastart,wewouldliketoknowalittlebitaboutyou.
I’mJennifer-Anoccupationaltherapist,whoworkedinhealthcareforover20years.Ihavetwokids,lovemyfamily,dogs, andbeingoutdoors.
2.HowdidyouendupvolunteeringwithODIM?Whatinspiredyoutocomethefirsttime?
ThreetripstoGuatemala.IchosetocomeonthefirsttripbecauseIwasreallyinspiredbytheworkODIMwasdoingwith theHEALTHYMOMMYANDMEPROGRAM,andIwantedtoseefirsthandhowODIMworked.
3.WhatkeepsbringingyoubacktoODIM?
Itisdefinitelythemissionoftheorganizationandtheeffortthatisputintopromotingthehealthofmommiesandbabies. ItisalsotheeffortputforthbyODIMstafftosupportourfundraisingandtocreateaspecialexperienceforuswhenweare inGuatemala.
4.WhattypeofvolunteeroractivitiesdoyoudowhileyouareinGuatemala?
Ourfavoritevolunteeractivityisalwaysstovebuilding.Thisputsusface-to-facewithMayanfamilies,andwegettoseetheir homesandoftenworkalongsidethefamilies.Thatexperienceissorewardingbecauseweseeanimmediateandconcrete impactwhenwearedonebuildingthestove.
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5.Inyouropinion,whathavebeenthebenefitsof beingavolunteerwithus?Whathasbeenchallenging foryou?
Oneofthebiggestbenefitsistheexposuretoadifferent cultureandadifferentcountry.Also,learningaboutsoli‐daritythroughservice;howimportantitistonotputour expectationsontheexperience,butjustbeopentohearing fromODIMandtheMayanpeopleabouthowwecanhelp. Ialwaysfeelabitanxiousifourgroupisgoingtomeetour fundraisinggoaleachyear,butthemissionofODIMisso compelling,andpeoplearesogenerousandresponsiveto ourrequests.
6.Canyoutellmeanexperienceyouhadwhilebeing avolunteerthatyouappreciateorhadanyimpacton youorsomeoneyouknow?
Severalyearsago,weputstovesinhomesinSanPablo.Itwas reallyimpactfultobeinahomeinthatvillageandseefirst‐handthedifferencesinthecommunities.Itwasareallysmall home,aroominalargercomplex,onanunevensurface.I willneverforgetseeingthecookingutensilsthewomanhad beenusing.Theywerecoveredintarfromcookingoveran openfireforsolong.Seeingthatreallymademeunderstand howmuchODIM'sservicesareneededinSanPablo.
7.Whatwouldyouconsidersomethingyoumisswhen yougobackhomefromGuatemalaandODIM?
Wedefinitelymissthepeople.WemissPetrona’scooking, andtheslowerpaceoflifeweareexposedtowhilein Guatemala.
8.Doyouhaveanywordsforvolunteerteamsor peoplethatarethinkingofcomingtoGuatemala? Anyrecommendations?
Ourgrouphasalwaysfeltsafeandtakencareofwhenweare inGuatemala,thankstoadvancepreparationbyODIM staff.Wehavealwaysbeensupportedinourfundraising effortshereintheUnitedStates.
Don'tbeafraidtomakeafundraisingcommitmentto ODIM.Thisopportunitytoworksidebysideanddevelop connectionswiththeorganizationandrelationshipswith thepeopleisinvaluable.Werecommendhavinganopen heartandmindduringtheexperienceandleavingprecon‐ceivednotionsaboutGuatemalaathome.Beopentothe experienceandsavetimeforadventureandnaturalinterac‐tionswiththeGuatemalanpeople.
DR.JEFFREY(CHIP)LUERDING ATributetoaFriendofODIM
Jeffrey(Chip)Luerding,M.D.,andhiswife,Cindy, firstvisitedGuatemalainFebruary2014andimmedi‐atelyfellinlovewiththecountryanditspeople.Chip visitedGuatemalaattheurgingofhispartner,Martin Kanne,M.D.withwhomhehadpracticedforover thirtyyearsandwhohadworkedinGuatemalaforeven longer.HeaccompaniedDr.Kanneonallfourofhis tripsandreturnedoncewithCindy,beforehisun‐timelyandunexpecteddeathinJanuary2022,justtwo weeksafterreturningfromhislasttriptoGuatemala.
ChipfoundthegoalsandmissionofODIMtofitin withhisaspirationsforhelpingpeopleinGuatemala. Becausehisbelovedmother-in-lawandoldestdaughter hadtypeIdiabetes,hewasparticularlyimpressedwith ODIM’sattentiontodiabeteseducationandcontinu‐ingcare.Healsovisitedtheclinicseachtimehewasin
Guatemala,whereODIM’spersonnelimpressedhim withtheirkindness,professionalism,andcommitmentto theirpatients.
TheHighImpactHomeImprovement(HIHI)program caughthisattention,leadingtoafinancialcontribution toODIM.InJanuary2022,hevisitedmultiplehomes thathadreceivedstovesandwatersystemsandwas pleasedwiththeimprovementsmadeinthelivesofthe families.FollowingChip’smemorialservice,fundswere raisedinhishonorandgenerouslydonatedbyCindyand theirchildrentocharitiesinGuatemala.Notonlydidthe Luerdingfamilyloseagreathusbandandfather,butthe peopleofGuatemalaalsolostadedicatedambassador. Chipwillbegreatlymissedandfondlyrememberedasthe impactofhisdonationliveson.
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WHYSHOULDYOUCOME TOGUATEMALA?
Plan yourtripandgiveusavisit!
WhetheritisyourfirsttimeorsecondtimeinGuatemala.Ifyouarelookingforan intrepidbeautifuldestinationthat’srichinculture,ancientMayanhistory,breathtaking lakes,colorfulcolonialcities,activevolcanoes,andendlessoutdooradventures,thenwe arethecountryyouarelookingfor.
What’snext?Thisyearwearehappytoshareourvolunteeropportunities,creating innovativeexperiencesthatwillbelife-changingforourvisitorsandourfamilybenefi‐ciaries.WedesignedaspecificCOVID-19healthprotocolforteams,whichhashelped usminimizerisksandkeepvolunteers,staff,andcommunitymemberssafe.
AtODIMweseektoprovideauniqueexperienceofhospitality,focusingouractivities onthesustainabilityofourprogramsinthecommunitieswherewework.Doyoulove adventureandexploringtheoutdoors?Thisisagreatopportunitytoexperience Guatemalabykayaking,hiking,birding,andexploringthevolcanoesandmountains thatsurroundODIM.Withitsdarkbluewaters,vibrantorangesunrisesandsunsets andthreeactivevolcanoes,LakeAtitlanisatruebeauty.
Thisisarewardingwaytogiveasitallowsyoutoexperienceincrediblemomentswhile makingatangiblesocialimpactbysupportingourcommunityprograms.Youwillalso learnmoreaboutthechallengesfacedinlocalcommunitiesandhowODIMisworking tohelppeopleovercomethosechallenges.Ifyouarepassionateaboutlearningabout differentculturesandwanttohaveanauthenticexperienceintheheartoftheMayan world,thisopportunityisforyou!
HomeImprovementTeam: Buildabetterlifeforfamilies…literally!AsaHome ImprovementTeammember,youwillinstallstovesandEcofilterwaterfilterstoprovide cleanairandsafedrinkingwatertofamiliesinSanJuanandSanPabloLaLaguna.These high-impactinstallationsarecriticalinreducingrespiratoryproblemsanddigestive problemscausedbycontaminatedairandwater.Wearecountingonyoutoprovidelifechangingeffectsforpeopleinourcommunities.Ourtypicalconstructionteamsbuild between10and16stovesaweek,givingyoutheopportunitytobeofmaximumservice! Thebestpart:youdon’thavetohaveanypriorconstructionexperience.Ourtrained staffwillteachyoueverythingyouneedtoknowandgetyouintohomestomake lasting,long-termchanges.
MedicalTeams: Helpusbringhigh-qualityhealthcaretothecommunities!Our medicalteamsaretheepitomeofthephrase“lifechanging”.ODIMoperatestwo medicalclinicsandadentalclinic.Allourclinicalservicesaredesignedaroundtheneeds ofthecommunitymembers,manyofwhomstrugglewithmanychronichealthissues, suchasdiabetesandmalnutrition.Asamedicalvolunteer,yougettouseyourmedical expertiseinawaythatgivesbackandhealsthosewhoneeditmost.Youwillworkinour clinics,alongsideoursupportivelocalstaffwhowillbeeagertolearnfromyou.Youwill almostcertainlybetouchedbythegenuinewarmthofthepeopleyouencounter.
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TOSTARTORGANIZINGYOURNEXTTRIPTOGUATEMALA, GETINTOUCHWITHUSVIAEMAILat VOLUNTEER.COORDINATOR@ODIMGUATEMALA.ORG
ULTIMATE GUATEMALA CHALLENGE TheAdventureofaLifetime
Canyouimaginebeingatouristwhileyouradventureadvocatestoprevent malnutritioninruralareasinGuatemala?Thisisyouropportunity!
Pictureyourselfonatrekthroughcloudforests,coffeegroves,andruralvil‐lages;orgettoseethesunrisefromthetopofoneofthehighestvolcanoesin CentralAmerica…Notyourstyle?Whatifweaddadipintofreshwaterfrom themostbeautifullakeyou’lleversee?Soundslikeoutofamagazinebutit’s ourULTIMATEGUATEMALACHALLENGE!
TheChallengeisourannualfundraisingeventwhichtakesparticipants throughthreeincrediblechallenges(city-to-lakecrosstrek,hikeupavolcano, andpaddleboardingacrossLakeAtitlan)duringanintenseweekthatstays withyouforever.
Whyshouldyoutakepartin theChallenge?
Bytakingpartinthisevent,youwillbefundingtheparticipationof morethan170mothersandtheirbabiesinour“HealthyMommyand Me”program.ThisprogramcouldnotbemorerelevantinGuatemala, wheretheratesofchronicmalnutritionaresomeofthehighestinthe worldandthehighestinLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean.
Howdoesitwork?
Thetotalcostofeachparticipantis$700(whichcovershotels,tourguides, food,andshuttles).Weaskeachchallengertotrytofundraiseanadditional $3,500.Ifyouachieveyourfundraisinggoal,ODIMwillcoverpartofyour registration,whichmeansyouonlyhavetopay$500toparticipate!
Totakepart,youneedtobeingoodphysicalshape…butyoudonotneedto beanathlete!Thisisarewardingwaytogiveasitallowsyoutotakepartina once-in-a-lifetimeexperiencewithatangiblesocialimpact.
WHATAREYOUWAITINGFOR?JOINUS!
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EMAILUSAT VOLUNTEER.COORDINATOR@ODIMGUATEMALA.ORG
MOREINFORMATION!
FOR
ODIM AMBASSADORS
$7,500 Sponsorourclinics onemonth
OurAmbassadorsareourmostpreciousdonors.Theymakeasignificantfinancialcommitment tosupporttheworkofODIMbypledgingtodonate$7,500ayeartocoverthecompletecostof ourmedicalclinicsforonemonth.OurAmbassadorsgiveustheabilitytosuccessfullyplanforthe future,safeintheknowledgethatwewillhavefundsformedicalstaffsalaries,medicine,lab testing,andenoughtopaytheelectricitybill!
ODIMCLINIC AMBASSADORS—2022
JANUARY KAYSOETAERT
FEBRUARY PAULASAUDER
MARCH PAULASAUDER
APRIL PAULCOPPING
MAY PAULCOPPING
JUNE KAYSOETAERT
JULY ANNIEZANDER
AUGUST ANONYMOUS
SEPTEMBER CHRISTOPHER&MICHELLEFORTNER
OCTOBER CHRISTOPHER&MICHELLEFORTNER
NOVEMBER CHRISTOPHER&MICHELLEFORTNER
DECEMBER CAROLINEWILSON
Pleasegetintouch ifyouor
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WESTILLHAVE3 MONTHSOPEN IN2023!
yourcompany cansignupto supportourwork withinthe communities.
WHEREYOUR DONATIONSGO
REVENUES
ForthefiscalyearendingDecember31st2022
($391,323)
DonationsfromPatients
1.43%—$5,580
DonationsfromIndividuals
20.27%—$82,064
DonationsfromCampaigns
8.04%—$31,463
DonationsfromSponsors
4.80%—$18,776
DonationsfromChurches/Groups
18.44%—$72,148
EXPENSES
ForthefiscalyearendingDecember31st2022
($388,158)
Administrative
11%—$43,623
FacilityCare&Mgmt.
13%—$50,875
Communications&Dev.
9%—$36,165
VolunteerCoordination
3%—$11,755
MedicalClinic
21%—$82,741
DentalClinic
4%—$14,244
DonationsfromODIMAmbassadors
23.74%—$92,895
DonationsfromFundraisingEvents
6.36%—$24,869
DonationsfromGrants
9.33%—$36,527
DonationsfromVolunteerTeams
6.76%—$26,500
DonationsfromCorporations
0.13%—$498
HealthyMommy&Me
12%—$47,232
AdolescentHealth
6%—$21,864
LetʼsWalkTogether
7%—$26,547
ReachingDreams
5%—$20,257
HighImpactHouseImprovement
8%—$32,849
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SPECIAL THANKS!
OURFINANCIALPARTNERS
ColoradoCollege
MedtronicFoundation
R.I.MEnterprisesLLC
DirtyGirlAdventures
SoroptimistInternationalLeidenAurora NorthavenUnitedMethodistChurch
HumanDevelopmentFund
TheAdvance|UnitedMethodist
GeneralBoardofGlobalMinistries
CityViewFoundation
ColeFamilyFoundation
A&ASteelEnterprises
MPress
ODIMALLIES(MAJOR DONORS)
AnnieZander
Barbara&NickPayne
BrieanneKohrt
CarolineWilson&CharlesKoetting
Cat&KyleRutledge
Chris&MichelleFortner
Dr.MartinKanne
FatherDyerUMC
GregBachman
Harvey&TerryBaxter
Henry&MaryEllenIrving
Rev.Jack&Rev.MartiSoper
Jeannie&RichJensen
Jean&RobertEvans
Chip&CindyLuerding
JoAnaDwyer
KaySoetaert
LindaFoxworthy
Mary&BobHarris
ManichanhRatts,PA-C
Paul&JulieCopping
PaulaSauder
Phil&BarbaraGibbs
RonWilhelm&KimBatchelor
Robert&CeceliaResnik
SandraDavis
SharonGale
SuzanneBrevardThomas
Vickie&KentEaton
WestEndUMC
ODIMʼSTEAMS&CHURCHES
FatherDyerUMC
WestEndUMC
NorthavenUMC
St.AndrewUMC
FirstUnitedMethodistChurchof Denton,Texas
TrinityUMC
CafeQuetzal
PlatteWoodsUnitedMethodistChurch
TopekaFirstUMC
ODIMʼSLOCALPARTNERS
AMISanLucas
AmigosdeSantaCruzNGO
CasaMaterna
DaysforGirlsGuatemala
UniversidadRafaelLandivar
Natün
HospitalitoAtitlan
MAIA
Konojel
LaIguanaPerdida
Mayanza
MulticoloresGuatemala
ProyectoSaludyPaz
SavingMothers(SalvandoMadres)
TropicanaHostel
VisionGuatemala
WINGSGuatemala(Asociación AlasdeGuatemala)
Wuqu'Kawoq
CentroMaya
AlmadeColores
NationalHospitalofSololáandthe governmenthealthcentersofSan Pablo,SanJuan,SanPedroand
SanMarcosLaLaguna
EntreMundos
ElDirectorioGuatemala
OUREXPERTS
Dr.BrieanneKohrt,CaliforniaState UniversityLA
TeahCaine,MD
TreyHarrell,MD
ManichanhRatts,PA-C
AlmaPioquinto
CarolynBoley,NP
LindaFoxworthy,FNP
KimBatchelor,MPH
NicolasCumez
KianaHarish
MaríaAlejandraGuizlerBonilla
Licda.DuniaLuciaRoncalDuque
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BOARD
OrganizationfortheDevelopmentof theIndigenousMayaisaUSregistered 501(c)(3)
OurBoardofDirectorsisresponsiblefor guidingthestrategicdirectionofthe organization,andisaccountableforour actions—legally,financiallyandmorally.
TheBoardofDirectors
RonWilhelm,Ph.D.President
Rev.JeannieJensenSecretary
JackieBenjamin Treasurer
JeanneMathiesen Director
JeremyJohnson,D.O.Director
HarveyBaxter,J.D.Director
PaulCopping Director
KEYLEADERS
OurKeyLeaderTeamisresponsibleforprovidingeffectiveseniorleadershiptotheorganization, bydevelopingouroverarchingstrategyandensuringitssuccessfulimplementation.
TheKeyLeaderTeam
AméricaCastroExecutiveDirector
AndreaGarcía MedicalDirector
PedroMendez FinanceManager
AnaSilviaSosaHumanTalentManager
MelynaCholotíoPérezDirectorofCommunityandClinicalPrograms
JulietaTzaj ManagerofCommunityPrograms
ArelyJuarez ManagerofVolunteerPrograms
VanessaHernándezManagerofCommunicationsandFundraising
Forindividualcontactdetailsgotowww.odimguatemala.org/contact-us
TOMAKEADONATION ONLINE: www.odimguatemala.org/donate CHECKPAYABLETOODIM,MAILEDTO: MarthaStowe 1527WatersideCt. Dallas,Texas75218 23
ODIMGUATEMALA
ClínicaChuitinamit,SanPabloLa Laguna,Sololá,Guatemala
ClínicaSanjuanerita,SanJuanLa Laguna,Sololá,Guatemala
odimguatemala.org
OdimGuate guatemalaodim