Our day began with a morning devotional and a great breakfast. We left Martha’s ranch for the hour plus
drive through Pinalejo and up and around several mountains to El Venado. This small village is less than a mile up
another hill from the Guatemalan border.
This was the second year El Venado has been on the HAF ministry
list. Once we arrived, the single male
school teacher divided his 21 students into four groups according to age so
that the HAF team of Alan, Kathy, Tommy, Daniel (our translator) along with Marleni
and Lenis, (two AP student helpers) could conduct a hygiene clinic. The children demonstrated correct hand
washing technique.
The children then “enjoyed” de-worming medicine, and then demonstrated tooth brushing technique, followed by a fluoride rinse,
After the students were finished 30 other villagers, both
adults and children, joined the hygiene line.
A light rain fell the entire time.
While we were conducting the hygiene clinic, Dr. Tino, ably
assisted by Maynor and Itzamarie, (another AP student helper) opened their
medical clinic just down the street.
They saw 35 patients during the morning, most of them leaving with one
or more medicines to help with their ailments. All who could afford to do so
left a payment of 5 Lempira (about 25¢) for this service.
Most of the patients were there to treat simple illnesses,
usually for their children, but one patient brought excitement to the whole
room. As Dr. Tino was using the new
fetal heart monitor, the mother-to-be discovered, along with everyone else,
that she was carrying twins! What a joy
to be able to share this with the community.
As soon as school was dismissed at noon the team set up the
eye clinic and enjoyed sandwiches for lunch.
At 1:00 p.m. some 26 folks had their eyes examined and 25 pairs of
glasses were fitted and distributed. The
trip home took and hour and a half due to the rain.
No comments:
Post a Comment