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Stories

Update on Cleft Infant Nutrition program

By Stories

As Director of Operations in Guatemala, I have the responsibility of leading our volunteer Surgical Teams and rural Medical Mission.  My job takes me to the largely forgotten rural areas where hundreds of people await our missions and into the hospitals where we provide our surgeries. 

Fourteen surgical teams and five medical missions were scheduled for this year and due to the Corona Virus, all since early March have had to cancel.  It is highly probable that no volunteer medical teams will be able to come for the remainder of 2020 but most are hoping to return in 2021. I am working to ensure their return and also communicating with our Health Promotors regarding patients awaiting surgery and enquiries from those hoping to be included on our patient list when surgical teams return. Working with members of the Partner for Surgery Board, I have contacted the leaders of canceled teams regarding a donation as we struggle to maintain our programs. Many have been generous and we are deeply grateful for their support.  

For twenty years, we have been filling an unmet need in rural Guatemala by providing medical and surgical care unavailable from the Guatemalan health service. With the impact of the coronavirus and travel restrictions, the need is only increasing. We will be ready to meet that challenge because of your continued assistance. Thank you so

much for your invaluable support.

Warm regards,

Ariel Marroquin

Director of Operations

Letter from Liset Olivet, Executive Director of Asociación Compañero para Cirugía

By Stories

As Executive Director of Partner for Surgery, Guatemala, I stand with all whose health has been directly or indirectly affected by COVID-19 and the brave heroes of the healthcare system. At the same time, I would like to let you know how we have adjusted to the government pandemic restrictions and probable cancellation of all surgical teams for the rest of the year.

Our current focus is to ensure our Cleft Infant Nutrition Program can continue providing child monitoring, formula, and other supplies to the increasing number of participating families. Unfortunately, many of these same families have lost their employment and now are in pressing need of food, so we are providing some essential items and working with other organizations and partners for additional assistance. Fortunately, we have been able to obtain waivers to the travel restrictions so that our health promoters can continue to visit, deliver supplies, and provide education to the families on virus prevention through masks, hand washing, and social distancing. Like many other organizations, we have furloughed some staff, but are maintaining those needed to restart missions whenever possible.

As of June 28th, there were 17,409 recorded cases, 13,491 are active, and 3,170 have recovered. Sadly, 746 Guatemalans have died of COVID-19 and two from other diagnoses. Given the lack of government health services in rural communities, the actual numbers are undoubtedly much higher. We are incredibly appreciative of your continued assistance because, without you, our mission would not survive.

Lastly, I am forever grateful and inspired by the commitment, resilience, and dedication of our Health Promoters and staff who have shown up and take additional steps to stay true to helping the most vulnerable in Guatemala.

Warm regards,

Liset Olivet

Executive Director in Guatemala

Health Promoters in the Time of COVID-19

By Stories
ACPC, our host in Guatemala, currently employs Health Promoters whose job it is to make monthly wellness home visits to the babies awaiting surgery.

When COVID-19 shutdowns began, ACPC was prepared for the possibility that they would not be able to get formula to families in need. They placed formula with the Health Promoters and made sure that each patient’s household had an extra supply, as well.

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Numerous Missions Canceled Due to COVID-19

By Stories
When Guatemala halted all flights from the United States and Canada, Partner for Surgery had to suspend surgical missions for the foreseeable future. In order to ensure the health and well being of the children and families who were waiting, Partner for Surgery’s Guatemalan Health Promoters and staff have stepped up to make sure the children in the Infant Nutrition Program remain healthy as they wait for their surgeries. More than 150 children are depending on our support.

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Update on Partner for Surgery and a Path Forward

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A Message From Partner for Surgery President, Todd Peterson

These are extraordinary times. I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy. My family is adjusting to this “new normal,” doing our best to maintain some daily structure and playing lots of board games! We also feel incredibly blessed, understanding that we are far better off than most in the world.

As in the US and most other countries, the coronavirus pandemic has had a major impact on Guatemala. All travel into the country has been suspended and a curfew is in place from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. in an effort to prevent the spread. These strict measures were necessary because the Guatemalan health system is ill-prepared to test and provide the critical care needed for those who may develop COVID-19. Thankfully, the number of Guatemalan cases has been minimal and we pray this continues.

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Letter From the PfS Board President – December 2019

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Thank you for your help following the Fuego volcano eruption!

Dear Donors,

As you may recall, Partner for Surgery made a special appeal for funds to support burn victims when the Fuego volcano erupted near Antigua in June of 2018. Donations were used for patient travel and other expenses for the numerous trips to the Guatemala City burn clinic where patients received care for over a year. Support was generous and with the remaining funds we were able to purchase some of the very expensive compressive wrap necessary to keep skin grafts in place. The cloth finally arrived from an Asian supplier in October and volunteer surgeon Lourdes Santizo and the hospital staff were very appreciative.

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