The Rotary Club of Sweetwater San Diego will conduct a 3 day medical mission in the rural Palajunoj Valley in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala with the local non-profit organization Primeros Pasos ("First Steps") in both its primary care clinic and mobile clinics that travel to the most isolated communities. The region experiences disparities in health outcomes and healthcare access, including high rates of child malnutrition and chronic poverty. Primeros Pasos serves as the only source of reliable health care services for these communities.
With Primeros Pasos and its clinical staff, the Sweetwater San Diego Rotary club will deliver a variety of primary medical care, women's health, dental, and nutritional services to approximately 500 Maya-indigenous child and adult patients. The grant funds would cover the costs of medications, medical and dental supplies, the wage of 1 extra local physician and 2 extra local dentists, and the transportation of the Rotarians, Primeros Pasos staff, and supplies to the clinic and mobile clinics.
Some Rotarian members of the Sweetwater San Diego club attended a similar medical mission to Primeros Pasos in 2015 while 1 member was employed as the Executive Director of the organization, during which they connected with the local Guatemalan Rotary club. Some Rotarian members attending the mission are medical professionals. Remaining closely tied with the organization Primeros Pasos and the community it serves, the grant funds will be meticulously budgeted and managed to directly benefit the health care needs of the Palajunoj Valley communities.
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