Centro Educativo y Salud Patanatic News - January to March 2014

CESP and Woodland Charities coordinate humanitarian aid to Panama and Guatemala.
April 5, 2014

One hundred and twenty-six volunteers among physicians, nurses, dentists, ophthalmologists, student of nursing and medicine travelled to support the Access to Education, Health and Safe Drinking Water program that Woodland implements in Panama and Guatemala during the first three months of  2014.

 With the aim of providing training, capacity, medical and dental checkups to communities that do not have access to this basis service, Woodland coordinates the intervention of volunteer groups such as Xavier University from Cincinnati, OH, Kansas Medical Center International Outreach, K-State from Kansas, Park University from Missouri and South Dakota University school of physiotherapy for delivery and distribution of wheelchairs.

"It is undeniable that the social projection, humanitarian service and the academic and professional quality of each one of the universities which collaborate with Woodland impact positively the life of less fortunate people in Panama and Guatemala. It is an honor to coordinate with these universities that have a great recognition in each of their areas and bring that quality, experience and professionalism at the service of the people in Guatemala and Panama", commented Jorge D. Coromac Vice President of Woodland Charities.

In Panama KU Med International Outreach provide humanitarian aid to 1,053 people who do not have access to health and dental care in the region of Chepo. In Guatemala, Park University, Xavier University and KUMCIO Rotaract were able to provide medical school medical checkups, neonatal care and ophthalmological care to 2,433 people.

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South Dakota University was able to deliver 26 wheelchairs and medical attention to people who never had this vital resource.

K-State University Rotaract build and delivery wood beds for families in need and also help with the monitoring and delivery of water filters in the community of Patanatic and San Pedro. K-State also perform lab test.

"In Woodland, we strive to unify capacities, resources, skills, and abilities to serve those who do not have resources and basic services. During these weeks of intense work, we have seen how professionals and students from each of the universities focus on giving the best of themselves and collaborate very closely both with Panama and Guatemala local volunteers as well as international volunteers from other universities, “commented Coromac.

"Is a great challenge to coordinate all logistical aspects involved prior, during and after sending groups of volunteers to Guatemala and Panama but in Woodland, we developed a strategic dynamic that allows and facilitates multidisciplinary coordination both locally and internationally for example: coordinate arrivals/departures of volunteers, airline tickets, transportation, accommodation, meals, translators, supplies, cultural activities, etc... all is accomplished thanks to the direct presence of Woodland and its partners in each country/community that ultimately allows us to bring aid to those most in need and use each of the volunteers skills/experiences where is most need it", ended Coromac.

This year KUMCIO sent 18 volunteers to Panama, and 22 to Guatemala. Xavier University sent 19 volunteers, Park University sent 26 volunteers and K-State sent 13 volunteers. South Dakota University sent 28 volunteers.  A total of 4,368 hours of volunteering and approximately $14,200 in in-kind donations including: medications, products, school supplies, vitamins, wheelchairs wheelchair, crutches, canes, walkers, production of educational videos / health and sports equipment (balls of football, basketball, and volleyball).

“Thank you infinitely for the professional support and humanitarian work that each of the volunteers from different universities performed in Guatemala because they have helped and significantly impacted the lives of children and families in rural communities in Guatemala and Panama”, mention the nurse Ana Garcia.

"As Guatemalan, I am honored to work, learn and to coordinate with this group of professionals shoulder to shoulder because their example of voluntary and humanitarian service inspires us to continue to help our people."  Our commitment is to continue providing follow up to all cases detected and ensure that people that received medical, ophthalmologic consultation, muti-vitamins and medicine completed the treatment and medicine as was indicated by the medical providers”, said nurse Ana from the Education and Health Center Patanatic/Woodland Guatemala team.

Woodland Charities is an organization focused on the implementation of program with the direct participation of communities, the development of human and technical capacity and to establish mid and long-term collaboration with local and international volunteers/organizations.

Woodland is a non-profit organization registered in Missouri and with the experience of 12 years implementing program and projects in Central America.

To become a Woodland volunteer or to learn more about Woodland and how to support the programs contact Jorge Coromac at jorgec@woodlandpc.org or visit face book Woodland Charities Guatemala or www.woodlandcharities.org