Reach Within To Embrace Humanity.mp4

On the Southwest Pacific Coast of Guatemala~ hours away from the hot crowded streets of Guatemala City, is a peaceful scenic destination called Monterrico, Spanish for Rich Mountain. The tourists treasure the beautiful beaches and their good fortune to watch sea turtles hatch.

23,000 Guatemalans reside in 7 small villages within a 30 mile radius of Monterrico. They live without toilets or sewers, and have no systems for water purification, sanitation, garbage collection and electricity. Due to their living conditions, they are prone to malnutrition and disease.

Less than 10 % has access to healthcare. The nearest public clinic is 90 minutes away~ i ~the public hospital is 2 hours away ~

Four years ago, through a Community Health Needs Assessment, the villagers identified their priorities -- they asked for help with the dream of creating the Monterrico Community Clinic and Education Center was born. Rotary Club of Lake Stevens embraced the project as an opportunity to respond to five important Areas of Focus emphasized by Rotary International:

Disease Prevention and Treatment
Water and Sanitation
Maternal and Child Health
Basic Education and Literacy
Economic and Community Development

With the help of many Rotary Clubs and others more than $118,000 was raised to build the 3967 square foot clinic! The local Guatemalan community, closely involved in planning, donated time, skill and labor during construction. Many church groups recruited by CCCG raised funds and traveled to Monterrico to donate skilled labor. At last, the building was dedicated to the community October 8, 2011.

Attending from the US were representatives of Rotary Club of Lake Stevens, Rotary Club of Everett Port Gardner, Rotary Club of La Conner, Healing the Children, Seattle International Foundation, Guatemala Village Health, Group Health, Global Health and University of Washington Family Medicine Residency Programs.

Guatemalan collaborators hosting the event included Centro Cristiano Cultural de Guatemala (CCCG) and Rotary Club of Vista Hermosa. Proudly representing their communities were the village leaders who now help govern the clinic as members of a local advisory board. They have asked that the clinic be called "LaCurvina" to better identify its location.

The clinic is working in conjunction with the local Ministry of Health to provide immunizations, health screening, first aid and prenatal care, including mid-wife training. Features include electronic record keeping, a surgical suite, acute care center, birthing center, pharmacy, dental unit, procedure rooms, and laboratory, as well as a computer and learning center. Fruit bearing shade trees will be planted in the waiting area and watered with gray water collected from the clinic. Two composting toilets on the grounds are a model for this community.
This project represents a powerful international collaboration that is bringing children in rural Guatemala access to health care and providing education and resources to help their families gain new skills and improve their lives.  Gracias to the many groups and individuals who helped Make Dreams Real for the community of Monterrico!

Rotary Club of Lake Stevens thanks the Monterrico Clinic Capital Campaign Supporters including:

Rotary Clubs


The Rotary Foundation
District 5050
District 6540
District 4250
RC Alderwood Terrace
RC Everett
RC Everett Port Gardner
RC Fidalgo Island
RC Gary Indiana and the Legacy Foundation
RC Northshore
RC Sunriver Oregon
RC of Vista Hermosa, Guatemala

Other Supporters
Seattle International Foundation
Healing the Children Oregon and Western Washington
Group Health Global Health
University of Washington Network of Family Medicine
Centro Cristiano Cultural de Guatemala
Guatemala Village Health
New Hope Church, USA
Havelock Wesleyan Church, Canada
Con McCarthy, Ireland
Stroud Water Church, USA
East Point Church, USA

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Rotary Club of Lake Stevens
• Rotary Club of La Conner
• Healing the Children
• Guatemala Village Health
• Group Health
• Guatemala
• gunsmoke1d35