Pueblo a Pueblo

2008-07-12T05:37:00.000-07:00

GUESS WHO visited the Hospitalito yesterday bringing a mother and her children for check-ups!

2008-07-11T12:00:00.001-07:00

¡Bienvenidos ORIOL!

Congratulations Montse and Xelani!

Everyone involved with Pueblo a pueblo's Maternal Infant and the Panabaj School Sponsorship programs knows Montse the benefits coordinator, and the fabulous work that she does for the mothers, babies and students. On the June 3rd, Montse gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. HIs name, Oriol, is a family name from Montse's home in Catalonia. Everyone is thrilled with the new addition to the community.

2008-07-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

Dr. Kevin Brogan of County Kilkenny in Ireland, visited with his wife and six year-old son Cormac, Dr. Kevin and his wife Siobhan raised a donation of $1526.40 at a small dinner party in their home where they showed photographs of Guatemala. Here Dr. Kevin presents Dr. Chuc and K’aslimaal treasurer Lyn Dickey with the check. We hope that Dr. Kevin will consider returning to volunteer!

2008-07-04T13:56:00.001-07:00

Manuel Ramirez Lacán, pastor of Bethel Church in Santiago Atitlán, presents Hospitalito board treasurer Lyn Dickey with a check for Q820. that will go towards construction of the new hospital. Manuel says that his church hopes to make additional donations in the future.

2008-06-27T19:58:00.000-07:00

Narda’s return!!

Physician Assistant Narda Sherman of Portland, Oregon, returned to HA with her parents today. Narda volunteered in April of 2008, and plans to return to volunteer for three months in November.  This summer, she and her husband and children are living in Antigua, Guatemala for six weeks to study Spanish.  Everyone was happy to see Narda's big smile! They brought a large donation collected by family and friends, of medicine, surgical supplies, children’s books, and clothing.

Susan, Jim, Dr. Chuc with Narda

2008-06-27T19:56:00.000-07:00

Another great visit with our friends from Marin County!

Old friends and supporters of the Hospitalito returned to visit and see the progress made on the new construction site. Jason, Pete Doyle, Bill Cuneo, Terry, Father Ken, Terri, Ginger, Hank and Dorothy. It was great to see familiar faces and to meet some new friends that you brought along. Thanks for all of your help!

2008-06-22T20:08:00.000-07:00

Five year Strategic Plan

June 21st, was the completion date of Hospitalito Atitlán's Strategic Planning session.  Lic. Carlos Alfonso of INTECAP facilitated the five day process, which because of hospital work took several months to complete. However, the work has just begun.  The plan projects into the next five years. Participants were, Dr. Juan Manuel Chuc director, Jose Reanda HA Administrator, Rigoberto Ramirez, Volunteer coordinator Rebeca Petzey, Social workers, Vicenta Chavajay and Chonita Mendoza, Nurses Felipa and Pedro, and Fundación K'aslimaal members, Karina, Kathy and Lyn. Dr. Chuc and Vicenta were chosen to see that the plan is put into action.

2008-06-22T20:07:00.001-07:00

A friend we can count on... Jimmy Hutchinson

We put fetal dopplers on the wish list, because the old ones no longer functioned. Jimmy Hutchinson, from Springfield, Missouri is owner of Hankins Surgical Supply, and is a frequent visitor to the Hospitalito. He pays close attention to the wish list to see what is urgently needed, and always brings something. Jimmy, Dr. Chuc, Lyn Dickey and Professor Lea Pellet.

2008-06-17T17:49:00.001-07:00

On Monday, June 16^th the staff of Hospitalito Atitlán gathered to say thank you and good-bye to volunteer OB/GYN Dr. Tara Creighton. In this photo, Tara is standing with Volunteer Coordinator Rebeca Petzey, seated are Sabrina Kahlbrenner RN (left), here for three months from Germany and medical student Jennifer Jaggi who is completing her six-month study of patient satisfaction. Dr. Tara will be returning to North Carolina.

2008-06-09T05:46:00.001-07:00

THANKS DR. JOSH!!

It was a fast two months for medical supervisor Dr. Joshua Brostoff (center) at Hospitalito Atitlán. When Josh arrived, and found us short staffed he pitched in taking turns and doing consultations, going above and beyond the job description. Today, at his going away party, we tried to convince him that the all flights have been canceled until July due to Tropical Storms Arthur and Alma that have brought constant rains this week. Josh will be missed, but promises to return in two year. Hope that time passes quickly too.

2008-06-05T05:24:00.001-07:00

A bright idea

As part of our efforts at sustainability, we attempt to keep costs low wherever possible. In April, Randy Loomis and his family visited the Hospitalito for the first time, and commented on the use of energy saving compact flourescent light bulbs. The initial outlay for the bulbs is more, but the long-term savings are greater. When Randy returned home to Connecticut, he purchased the bulbs and sent them with his sister to the Hospitalito. Thanks… we appreciate your donation!

2008-05-08T08:13:00.001-07:00

Professionalizing Hospitalito Atitlán

Vicenta Fidelina Chavajay Cortez, (called “Chenta”) from San Pedro la Laguna, is 29 years old and has been working with NGOs for many years. She graduated as a home economics teacher in 1998; and in October of 2006 received her diploma in Social Work from the University Rafeal Landivar.

Chenta brings lots of experience in community work: in addition to teaching, she worked as a loan officer/educator for five years for Friendship Bridge, a micro-credit program.

Chenta left Mankatitlán Municipal Democracy Project to come to work at Hospitalito Atitlán because it offers the opportunity to directly practice her chosen profession, Social Work, and to continue to work to support the Tz’tujil communities. She and Chonita Mendoza will share an office, and work together in many areas.

2008-05-03T14:01:00.000-07:00

Great Nurses… Great Cooks!

Four young student nurses completed their practicum at the Hospitalito this week, and celebrated their term by preparing a lunch for all the employees. The young Atitlanecos worked hard and learned a lot from our staff and the medical volunteers. Hopefully when they graduate, some of them will return as employees. Apart from their nursing abilities, we know that they can cook! They prepared pulik and suban with a delicious ik. In other words, they made a chicken vegetable and rice soup in a tomato mint sauce, tamales, and hot sauce. The delicious lunch was greatly appreciated by the staff and volunteers.

2008-04-13T17:39:00.000-07:00

Atitlán Bass Club

April 11th was the start of the three-day Atitlán Bass Club Fishing Tournament. Proceeds from the second annual Torneo de Pesca will go to the construction fund for the new Hospitalito Atitlán. In the photo, tournament organizers Allen Stern and Martin Chif present a check for Q5,000 to K’aslimaal secretary Karina Gezelius. Thanks to all of the supporters that made the event possible, the Posada de Santiago, Guatemala Sport Fishing, CEFESA True Value, Martin’s Bait Shop, Pesqueros, El Horno, Naviera Perez, Crossroads Café, Sailfishing PanaMax, Pana Super, Restaurante El Patio, Pesca Deportiva, Suzuki Marine, Texaco Panajachel and Fotos Vinicio

2008-04-10T17:19:00.000-07:00

Volunteer carpenters are always needed and appreciated!

Michael Dickey was called to service at the Hospitalito when the medical records shelving began to fall. Nyla the receptionist was afraid of being buried under a cascade of patient files. It takes all kinds of labor to make a hospital work, and Michael has also been the financial support for his wife Lyn, a long term volunteer on the Hospitalito’s board of directors.

2008-04-10T12:26:00.000-07:00

UNIVERSITY of PENNSYLVANIA PROVOSTS VISIT HOSPITALITO

It was an interesting and delicious lunch at the Resaturante Pescador with representatives of the University of Pennsylvania. The group visited Guatemala for a week to investigate the possibility of expanding their Global Health programs. In Santiago Atitlán they met with the mayor, the Health Department, rescue workers, and the Hospitalito. In this photo,. Dr. Kent Bream (left to right) who has been bringing U Penn students to Atitlán as part of Penn’s Guatemalan Health Initiative, Dr. Juan Manuel Chuc, medical volunteers from Boston; Pediatrician Rob Meyer, Bill Soares, Jenniger Jargi, HA board secretary Karina Gezelius, and from U Penn, Kara, Dr. Bryan Strom Dr. Charlie Branas. Not pictured is Dr. Steve Larson from the University of Pennsylvania.

2008-03-26T05:38:00.000-07:00

Thank you Dr. Jerry and family….

It was a fun and tearful party as we said goodbye to Dr. Jerry, Camy, Zach and Sam last night at Las Milpas. Dr. Jerry came to the Hospitalito last fall to begin his six-month commitment. He served as medical supervisor and Chief of Staff. Zach, age five (under the table) and Sam, three attended the local kindergarten, and made good friends there. In the photo are their physician friends visiting with their children from Ventura, California. The children (and adults) took turns with a piñata, and we all enjoyed delicious pulique (a traditional chicken with tomato mint sauce served on special occasions) for dinner. Thank you all for sharing with us!

2008-03-24T04:50:00.000-07:00

Good Friday

An example of the truly amazing alfombras (carpets) made of colored sawdust that cover the streets of Santiago Atitlán. These incredible works of art are created by youth groups of the Catholic Church, and last only a few hours because the procession will pass over them during the night. The huge coffin which bears the body of Christ is carried by more than 30 young men out of the church at 4 PM and passes thru the streets, over the alfombras all through the night entering the church again at 6 in the morning.

2008-03-19T20:22:00.001-07:00

Hospitalito Atitlán staff and volunteers

Following a meeting today, we felt it was time to update the photo for the web site. Many will recognize the faces of the employees, the local volunteer nurses, and others volunteering from Spain, Australia, Harvard, and obviously, Dr. Jerry Noah about to return to California.

2008-03-13T04:24:00.000-07:00

The Construction Commission met with the Architects from the Ministry of Health today on site to discuss recommendations made by all the architects involved in new Hospitalito. In the photo: from the Panajachel architectural firm Tierra Linda; construction supervisor Noe Perez, and architect Molly Molander, K'aslimaal board members on the construction commission; Juan Tziná, Dr. Juan Manuel Chuc and Lyn Dickey, representatives from the Ministry of Health in Guatemala City; Architect Leonardo Arzu, Arzu's assistant, and senior architectural student Monica Serrano who is doing her senior project on the Hospitalito in the office of TIerra Linda. Missing from the photo is the Hospital architect, volunteer David Schele, and Larry Finnegan from the board of Pueblo a pueblo, inc.

2008-03-10T06:37:00.000-07:00

€1000 donation from County Cork, Ireland towards construction of the permanent Hospitalito Atitlán.

You never know whom you might meet at a rock festival, and it surprised K’aslimaal board members to meet Father Padriag Kough at the 2008 Festival Atitlán fundraiser for construction of the new Hospitalito. He attended at the recommendation of a friend, when he told her he was looking for an organization to which he could deliver a donation entrusted to him by a friend from Ireland.

Board member Kathy Searle gave the group a tour of the temporary hospital, and the next day they returned with a check. The donation came from, Ms. Eileen Forrest Corbally, of Leamlara in Co. Cork.

Pictured left to right, K’aslimaal member Kathy Searle Acevedo, Mary Ann Cantillion of Vancouver, Canada, Father Pádraig and Mary Ann Morris of Antigua Guatemala and Nelson BC Canada.

2008-03-06T18:11:00.000-08:00

QUEEN SOFIA DONATES MEDICINES TO HOSPITALITO ATITLAN!

It took a lot of work and more than a year for this donations of medicines to arrive from the QUEEN OF SPAIN. More than a year ago, Club Rotario Guatemala Oeste and the Asociación K'aslimaal began the paperwork to apply for the donation. On March 5th, Jose Reanda (center) traveled to Guatemala City to meet the flight from Iberian Airlines to accept the donation of more than 51,000 EUROS worth of medicines donated to Hospitalito Atitlán. In this picture is (left to right) Rotary president Robert Way, Jeff of the Spanish pharmaceutical company that made the donation, Rotarian Mario Rosito, Hospitalito Administrator Jose Reanda, Mynor Mendoza from AMICELCO, and Rotarian dentist Oscar who volunteers frequently at HA.

2008-03-06T18:08:00.000-08:00

A CLEANING DAY

On Tuesday 27^th of February the Santiago Atitlán’s Town Council organized a town wide cleaning day with the local schools. Early in the morning the streets were full of older children picking up trash, and then the garbage was gathered inside “costales” and brought to the town dump with pick up trucks.

Even though there is still much more to be done in the sense of garbage consciousness… It was the first community effort to give Santiago Atitlán a clean face!

2008-03-05T08:40:00.000-08:00

LEARNING ABOUT GUATEMALAN TAX LAW

Last Tuesday, February 19th, Lic. Erick Palma (tax consultant) and Lic.Oscar Piedrasanta (lawyer) trained the Pueblo a Pueblo staff and a board member on issues related the Guatemalan tax system.

The class was designed to prepare Pueblo a Pueblo staff to begin fundraising in Guatemala. This effort will further our mission which is to empower Guatemalan individuals, organizations and communities to improve their own lives by facilitating access to services, commodities and financial resources.

2008-03-05T08:38:00.000-08:00

EASTER PROCESSIONS BEGINS!

Every Friday afternoon for six weeks, beginning with Lent, a procession leaves the Catholic Church. The Parroquia was built in 1548, and this year the bell tower is under renovation.