As we left El Patrocinio we were blessed with a down hill ride off the volcano and into the sunset. As we made our way back into Guatemala - very quickly I might add - one of the buses got out of the cue!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Internet In Guatemala
We have had two days in a row with very limited internet access in the place we are staying. As a result, anyone relying on that for communications has had to wait for that "Wi-Fi window" to open. Cell phone users strictly dedicated to Wi-Fi have suffered the same fate.
Cell phone users in Canada likely know that they pay more for that luxury than anywhere else on the planet. In Guatemala, a cell phone and a phone plan are very inexpensive. It is not unusual to see people you don't normally expect to have a phone, carrying one here.
There are no land lines in the places we are going so having a cell phone is the one to "connect". Phone companies know this and almost give the phones away. It is actually possible to have a phone, with a SIM card but have no cell phone plan. With this you can take unlimited incoming calls. The phone companies know that eventually, someone has to pay to send a call.
I asked little children to identify my iPhone. None of them seemed to recognize it as an iPhone but they all could tell me it was a cell phone. All that to say, that the cell phone is ubiquitous and here is a late video submission from Day One in Las Trojes!
Cell phone users in Canada likely know that they pay more for that luxury than anywhere else on the planet. In Guatemala, a cell phone and a phone plan are very inexpensive. It is not unusual to see people you don't normally expect to have a phone, carrying one here.
There are no land lines in the places we are going so having a cell phone is the one to "connect". Phone companies know this and almost give the phones away. It is actually possible to have a phone, with a SIM card but have no cell phone plan. With this you can take unlimited incoming calls. The phone companies know that eventually, someone has to pay to send a call.
I asked little children to identify my iPhone. None of them seemed to recognize it as an iPhone but they all could tell me it was a cell phone. All that to say, that the cell phone is ubiquitous and here is a late video submission from Day One in Las Trojes!
Day Two: El Patrocinio, Pacaya
PHARMACY
The small truck that had been parked in the living room was moved out to accommodate the pharmacy. We moved all the boxes in across two or three tables. Then we moved Chris and the team in. Every time he crossed from one side of the small room to the other, he had to be conscious of the rapidly sloping roof. Somehow he managed to keep his head bump free despite his 6’ 5” frame.
DENTAL TEAM
Dr. Jack Cottrell and his wife, Michelle, have been part of the teams since OCT 08. The team to Nicaragua was the first to include dental. This was a major accomplishment since taking equipment into a mobile clinic can easily done; taking what amounts to an entire dental clinic is quite another thing.
Each day a truck load of equipment makes its way to the next location. Besides the obvious things, like dental tools, all the sterilizing equipment, chairs, lights, cleaning tools, drills, and the list goes on, need to be dropped at the next clinic.
Dr. Jack was reminding me today that one of the major things that can be done in this type of dentistry is to restore self-esteem. Men and women are very conscious of cavities that form in between the front teeth. If allowed to progress, it causes the teeth to go black and they can obviously decay to the point of falling out. That later option, while unpleasant, is a common result of never seeing a dentist.
Two women were in the clinic at the same time lying in chairs across the room from each other. One was 39 and the other was 47. Do some quick math and you find that is 86 years. That collectively, was the number of years they had gone without seeing a dentist ... ever! The younger was suffering advanced gum disease and her front teeth were quite black. The other women featured in the photos (before and after above) had significant blackening between her front teeth. Upon closer inspection the extent of darkness was progressing more profoundly behind her teeth (due to cavities).
Here’s the bottom-line. With a bit of care and extra time, Dr. Jack and the other dentists can essentially bring the decay to a halt. This means their teeth, will mostly likely last for the rest of their lives. White teeth, teeth that will never fall out, create dignity and a sense of confidence. It’s remarkable work the dental team is doing.
Pharmacy is anything but the end of the line. In fact, it is the start of well being, continued peace of mind and a chance to heal. Chris knows this and is proud of the work the pharmacy team does.
 |
| Chris Ritskes |
Chris Ritskes is the Chief Pharmacist for Lakeridge Health Port Perry. In Guatemala, Chris and his wife Krista are part of the team providing medicines and vitamins to the families in El Patrocinio. Chris is a veteran, having been a part of all the FTC Canada Medical Teams. I have fond memories of watching his tall frame manage the very first clinic we set up in Honduras.
DENTAL TEAM
 |
| Michelle and Jack |
Each day a truck load of equipment makes its way to the next location. Besides the obvious things, like dental tools, all the sterilizing equipment, chairs, lights, cleaning tools, drills, and the list goes on, need to be dropped at the next clinic.
Dr. Jack was reminding me today that one of the major things that can be done in this type of dentistry is to restore self-esteem. Men and women are very conscious of cavities that form in between the front teeth. If allowed to progress, it causes the teeth to go black and they can obviously decay to the point of falling out. That later option, while unpleasant, is a common result of never seeing a dentist.
 |
| Before |
 |
| After |
Two women were in the clinic at the same time lying in chairs across the room from each other. One was 39 and the other was 47. Do some quick math and you find that is 86 years. That collectively, was the number of years they had gone without seeing a dentist ... ever! The younger was suffering advanced gum disease and her front teeth were quite black. The other women featured in the photos (before and after above) had significant blackening between her front teeth. Upon closer inspection the extent of darkness was progressing more profoundly behind her teeth (due to cavities).
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Las Trojes: Day One For The Medical Team
Las Trojes is a community just outside the city of Amaltitlan. It is a beautiful area up in the hill country and the location for Day One of the Medical Team Clinics.
Distribution hit the ground running as the prep for each day had been done the night before. Sorting of so many great things like underwear, boots and shoes and assorted clothing. Soccer shirts donated by a Guelph, Ontario soccer association were a huge hit as were the soccer socks!
As I spent most of my time with the doctors, following the activities of two in particular, I have to note one thing: It is as if they had been working in this setting, doing this type of primary care for months as a team. Once the patients began arriving there was only a brief respite for them and their translators to grab lunch.
The phrase, "love is a verb", is one we as a team have embraced. It is not simply about processing as many people as possible with no thought to person or circumstance. It has been amazing to see the team listen and care for those who came asking for our help. It's not about us, as we were reminded when we set off in the morning. It's about the people of Guatemala.
The Dental Team was on site for an hour before the rest of the team. For the first time, our generator decided to be difficult, creating some logistical issues; however, despite the set back the dental team would go on to see 148 patients, a tremendous accomplishment! While extractions were common, restorations were the real joy for the team. This is the opportunity to restore a tooth rather than simply pull it out
Distribution hit the ground running as the prep for each day had been done the night before. Sorting of so many great things like underwear, boots and shoes and assorted clothing. Soccer shirts donated by a Guelph, Ontario soccer association were a huge hit as were the soccer socks!
As I spent most of my time with the doctors, following the activities of two in particular, I have to note one thing: It is as if they had been working in this setting, doing this type of primary care for months as a team. Once the patients began arriving there was only a brief respite for them and their translators to grab lunch.Sunday, November 7, 2010
Life In Guatemala: Getting Adjusted
Our first adjustment in Guatemala was to Guatemala City and the slightly chilly air. I suppose that is not really a grand thing for the Canadians to deal with!
The next adjustment was to the culture and settling in to a new schedule. Today began with essential jobs performed by the smaller teams, doctors, dentist, pharmacy and distribution.
Doctors met to review plans and dentists made last minute adjustments to equipment to ensure everything was in working order.
With a great head start we adjourned for Antigua for a quick visit to the old capital city and then off to a coffee plantation for a final team get together.
It can not be emphasized enough that this type of care, be it medical or dental, can not be afforded by the people we see. We also know that families will often go months, even years without ever seeing to the basic health concerns they experience. This can lead to much bigger problems.
I will also be spending more focused time on 2 team members. They will be the subjects of a mini-documentary so I will be interacting with them daily and bringing their story to life on the screen (not the "big" screen, but the screen nontheless).
Thank you for joining us on this journey, and thank you for your support; it is helping the people of Guatemala in very tangible ways.
The Journey Begins: Toronto to Guatemala
Hi, John Matthews here and your blogger for the week in Guatemala. I hope to post updates, photos and video of our time here. I shot the video below while I was in Toronto, but you at least should know that we are here safely in the heart of Guatemala City and doing well.
While Toronto is far behind - the weather may not be. It was very cool here when we arrived meaning sweaters and jackets required!
Stay tuned for more.
John Matthews
Communications
FTC Canada
While Toronto is far behind - the weather may not be. It was very cool here when we arrived meaning sweaters and jackets required!
Stay tuned for more.
John Matthews
Communications
FTC Canada
Medical Team Safely In Guatemala
The FTC Canada Medical Team is safely on the ground in Guatemala. From Toronoto to Central America (El Salvador to Guatemala) was a tiring day and everyone was ready for a good nights rest.
Various parts of the team are already hard at work. Those teams include, medical, dental, pharmacy and distribution. Stay tuned as the week has only just begun and there will be plenty more to follow.
John Matthews
Communications
FTC Canada
Various parts of the team are already hard at work. Those teams include, medical, dental, pharmacy and distribution. Stay tuned as the week has only just begun and there will be plenty more to follow.
John Matthews
Communications
FTC Canada
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
