It began with a text. An aunt sees a poster for this year’s Iowa MOST mission and wonders if it might help her nephew. She texts a photo of the poster to the parents. They call the number on the poster and talk with local Rotarian David Ramos. He encourages them to come. They leave…
Read MoreWe are excited to say that Iowa MOST in 2020 includes a cataract mission! The need for cataract surgery here is clear. Several years ago Huehuetenango Rotary Club member Dr. Solorzano and Juan Francisco Fernandez, Executive Director of Casa Colibri brought the suggestion to team leader Deb Dunkhase. The Rotary Wheel The success of the…
Read MoreNext to the regular surgery schedule a part of our team was venturing out to a little school tucked half way into the mountain range rising steeply up behind Huehuetenango. It is amazing how the landscape, infrastructure and with it, the standard of living changes within only 30 mins of a bumpy ride in a…
Read MoreOur Sunday starts with good news: The local Rotarian team was able to move a back-up anesthesia unit into the hospital and got it up and running, also we finally found suction containers in our supplies = Both of our OR’s are open for business! The surgery schedule for today lists 7 interventions – tonsillectomy,…
Read MoreThere are so many people we meet here who touch our lives and offer their trust and friendship so that their child has an opportunity to receive medical help. One very special kid is Fernand0–he certainly has a special place in our hearts. Fernando’s father, Ricardo, is a nurse at a private hospital in Guatemala…
Read MoreThe Iowa MOST team is 2 days into surgeries, and there have been a wide variety of needs: tooth extractions, obturators (when the palate cannot be closed), cleft lip, cleft palate, tubes in ears, and a tonsillectomy. Many kids with cleft lip/palate have ENT (Ears, Nose, Throat) needs. The team works together closely, assessing our…
Read MoreWe are excited to start posting about the 2018 Iowa MOST mission! Most of the team arrived on Thursday around 9 p.m. after a long day of travel by plane and by bus. Friday was a day of organization and preparation and things went smoothly enough to allow most of the team a few free…
Read MoreThis week marks the departure of the Iowa MOST team for the 2017 mission to Huehuetenango, Guatemala. It will be the 12th year of this successful Rotary project, thanks in large part to the amazing partnership between the Iowa medical team, District 6000 Rotary Clubs, the Rotary Club of Huehuetenango, and Dr. Oscar Marroquin, and…
Read MoreFebruary 10, 2016 Ash Wednesday … Reflections from Team Member Susie Poulton Today some members of our Iowa MOST team went to visit three schools in the highlands of Guatemala. The sky was cloudless and the scenery was beautiful as we were driven another 5,000 feet into the mountains on very windy roads. The first…
Read MoreReflections from District 6000 Governor Elect Chris Knapp Sunday was the first day of medical procedures at the hospital for Iowa MOST. The surgeons and nursing staff had an excellent day of surgeries and recoveries. The patients had excellent care from our expert team. Additionally, the dental team was also busy with patients. Their patients often…
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