Finally, after many attempts to set up a program in Guatemala, it seems we have succeeded. In November, Mary Kay traveled to San Juan de Sacateqequez, Guatemala to meet up with a group from GW University. In order to be sure that the set up would be a good fit for MIMA, there was no better confirmation than to visit while a team was already working there. San Juan is about 1 1/2 hours outside of Guatemala City in a rural community with the surgical center nearby the residence. There are two very well equipped Operating Rooms and a rooming house for patients and their families. The team stays at a Retreat House which is comfortable and quite close to the facility. Meals are provided at the house and also at the hospital. Knowing the MIMA team, we would probably make our first stop outside the airport at a grocery store to stock up on our own personal supplies and beverages. Transportation is provided to and from the airport as well as to and from the clinic each day.
The most impressive part though, is that Partner For Surgery has an ongoing program throughout the year and triages patients for the upcoming surgical teams. I can foresee the MIMA team sending volunteers for these Triage Missions as well as for the surgical mission. At this time, we are working on putting together a Gyne Team for September. We are blessed to have a core group of female gyne surgeons from Chicago, and they have already committed to this September trip. We are just awaiting confirmation of the dates that they are available, but we are hoping for the first week of September, 2011 ( the week including Labor Day). We will need a full team of support including scrubs, circulators, anesthesia and pre and post op nurses. Please let anyone you know that may be interested about this opportunity, and visit the abovementioned website for more information.
After a most successful Gyne Surgical trip in Sept, 2011, we have committed to Sept 2012 with the same Gyne team. We are in need of anesthesia providers, OR personelle and pre and post op nurses. The dates that have been confirmed are Sept 22nd to the 30th. There is an optional trip to Antigua for the weekend, but the team will be working from Sunday, the 23rd until the 27th. Airfare is quite reasonable, and you can book on Spirit or AA once you have committed to the team. Lodging and meals is quite reasonable; the team paid only $132 for 6 nights with meals included. The Antigua portion is just for fun, but is also quite reasonable..with hotel rates at about $35 per person per night. Please let me know if you are interested in joinging this team.
Many think it is so kind of me to volunteer my time to MIMA. I quickly correct them. It is not kind of me at all. It is the best gift I can give myself. It is such a rewarding fulfilling experience! Nothing gives me as much satisfaction as seeing the true joy on the faces of those helped by MIMA. The impact MIMA has had quite simply, cannot be put into words.
-Wanda Trable, RN
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