June news!
Woodland volunteers from Desoto Rotary Club, Topeka South RC and Washburn University Nurse School from Kansas are traveled to Guatemala from June 8 to 15 to support the Access Education, Health and Safe Drinking Water that is implemented in the community of Patanatic and surrounding areas in Sololá, Guatemala.
The team focused in distribution/monitoring water filters, cook stoves installation and provision of basic medical checkups to students and families of San Pablo and Patanatic and donation of soccer/basket balls, tooth brush, tooth paste, multivitamins, glucose machines/strips, newborn close, shoes and school supplies.
Washburn Nurse Team was able to provide training about newborn care and nutrition. Mothers and community leaders attend the training. They expressed their gratitude for the training and education materials that was provided to them. The team also was able to perform home visit to provide medical care to the seniors of the Patanatic community and the Pharmacies Lori Murdock was able to visit the home of the newborn babies and provide multivitamins to each of the mothers.
An education session focus in "Children with Learning Disabilities" was provided to the teachers of the Elementary School of Patanatic. This is the first time ever that the Patanatic teachers received this type of training. Ann Barr and Nancy Rhone provided this training to the teachers. This was the first part of a continuos training that will be provided to the Patanatic teachers.
Non medical team visited the elementary schools of San Juan and Patanatic to provide education training about dental care. After the basic training the team distributed tooth brushes to each student and tooth paste to each of the classrooms. The team also was able to monitoring water filters in San Juan, installed 7 cook stoves, 29 water filters in San Luis Patanatic and purchase shoes to 15 students of the Elementary School of Patanatic.
Team members included: Scott Berry, Nancy Rae Garcia, Faron Barr, Lauren Barr, Grace Ann Barr, Mary Beth Fund, Cynthia Hornberger, Joel Edwards, Lenora Edwards, Randall Arndt, Lori Ann Murdock, Kayla Murdock, Nancy Kay Rhone, Roberta Mansfield.
On behalf of the people of Patanatic and San Juan, Woodland express gratitude to each of the members of the June team and also to people and organization that provide In-Kind and cash donations for this trip, that includes: Jamie Stanford, Maria Wilson, Greatest American Bank, De Soto Rotary Club, Topeka South Rotary Club, Jill & Richard Hemphill, Robert Gunther, Peter & Anne Staunffer, Faron/Ann Barr and Lori/Kayla Murdock.
May news!
Rotary International Service Above Self Award to Jorge Coromac
Woodland Charities Vice President Jorge D. Coromac and Rotarian of
District 5710, was recognize by Rotary International with the Service Above
Self Award on May 2nd 2014. The importance of Service Above Self has long been
recognized by Rotarians who understand the power and reward of helping their
friends and neighbors in need.
Rotary International asked current and past Rotary offices to submit
the names and accomplishments of outstanding Rotarians. While Rotary received a
large response, only a maximum of 50 Rotarians receive the Rotary International
Service Above Self Award worldwide.
With this award, Rotary family recognizes the contributions that Jorge
Coromac has made through Rotary over the years.
Jorge received this award because of his extraordinary example of how
each Rotarian can make a difference local and international.
Congratulation Jorge D. Coromac for this international award!
Here are some messages from Jorge's friends:
Wes McCoy This prestigious recognition went to the finest example of a Rotarian,
Rotarian Jorge Coromac.The "Service Above Self" award only goes to
the top 50 Rotarian Leaders in the Rotary World of 1.2 Million Rotarians in
over 200 Countries. Congratulations, my friend!
Patti Bossert Congratulations Jorge!! You are so deserving of this recognition! You
humbly give so much of yourself to others and never ask for anything in return.
You are truly an example of Service Above Self and I am proud to know you!
Abby Zimmerman Congratulations!!!! You deserve this so much Jorge! You've been my role
model since I met you my sophomore year and I hope I can one day change as many
lives as you have. I'm so happy for you!! :D:D:D
Amanda
Swift · Seriously one of the best people ever- congrats Jorge!
John Donovan That's 50 out of 1.2 *million* Rotarians, folks. By contrast,
there are 535 District Governors every year.
It is a big deal!
Bob & Jan Schwartz: Jorge, Just learned about your Service Above Self Award. A magnificent award for a truly deserving person. Sorry Jan and I could not be in attendance but we were there with you in spirit. Keep up the good work—we are proud of you. Bob and Jan Schwartz
Vickie Randel: Jorge D. Coromac receiving the Rotary Service Above Self award. Only fifty Rotarians are chosen for this each year, and no one has ever deserved it more. Thank you, Jorge, for doing good in the world.
April news!
4th Anniversary of the “Centro
Educativo y Salud Patanatic
On April 25, Woodland and the Centro Educativo y Salud Patanatic
celebrated its 4th anniversary serving the people of Patanatic and surrounding
communities in Guatemala.
The community
celebration included: the International walk/run marathon, a soccer tournament, a medical symposium, cultural
activities and the provision of trophies and medals to the winners of the sport
activities.
More than 75 runners participated in the marathon
that includes students, community leaders, teachers and volunteers of Temple
University Pharmacy School.
For first time, the soccer tournament was played
for 4 soccer female teams: Community leader team, 6th grade team, Teacher team
and Temple Uni. team.
During the celebration Temple University received
the "Patanatic Humanitarian Awards" for the aid provided to the
people of Patanatic during the last 4 years.
Thank you to everyone that made this community
celebration a fantastic event that last all day! Thank you! Muchas gracias!
To learn more about this program contact jorgec@woodlandpc.org or visit www.woodlandcharities.org
Temple University travels to Guatemala
Woodland volunteers from Temple University traveled to Guatemala from April 23 to 30. This is the third year that Temple University supports the Access to Education, Health and Safe Drinking Water in Patanatic and surrounding areas.
The team focused in provides school medical checkups to the students of Cerro de Oro and to families of Patanatic. The team also was able to help with the monitoring of water filters and installing cook stoves.
In Patanatic as many other villages in Guatemala
breathing in the toxic fumes while preparing tortillas and food puts Mayan
women and kids at risk for respiratory illnesses, blindness and burns on a
daily basis. It is estimated that 77% of Guatemalan families use wood as their main
fuel source. Families spend a lot of time collecting firewood.
Temple University team was able raise funding for 9
cook stoves that will eliminate smoke 95% in their homes and minimize the use
of fire wood up to 85%. Temple team was
able to install the cook stove during their trip. Without questions this cook
stove will improve the sanitary conditions at homes and will reduce respiratory
diseases.
To learn more about this program contact jorgec@woodlandpc.org or visit www.woodlandcharities.org
“We are very pleased to announce this appointment,” Wes R. McCoy, Woodland Chair, Board of Directors. “Jorge, will bring his experience, leadership and creativity to the humanitarian efforts and a deep sense of commitment to our programs in the Central America region. Jorge has served nonprofits in several program, fundraising, executive and leadership levels, and has an in depth perspective and experience.” 
On May 2014, Jorge, was recognized by Rotary International with the “Service Above Self Award”. Jorge received this award because of his extraordinary example of how each Rotarian can make a difference both locally and internationally and it is awarded only to 50 Rotarians of the 1.2 million members around the world.
“I look forward to continuing to serve and making strong partnerships with individuals, local and international organizations in this new capacity,” remarks Coromac. “My passion to serve in this sector is because I believe that everyone has a tremendous gift to share and it is always an honor to witness the caring, compassion and professional services that volunteers provide to the less fortunate in today world”.
