Returning to Guaimaca I bought more paint and working with a smaller group from the neighborhood we continued to clean and paint. We are getting very close to having the building ready for July 1st. I provided the mayor’s office with an outline of our agreement, and next week we will work on the formal agreement. The city council had their second meeting for the month in the building and they all got a chance to really see the whole facility. Now our work has turned to a complete inventory.
Saturday morning I headed back out to Intibuca to see some of the equipment donated in this container and previous containers also.
My visit this week to schools, medical clinics and the hospital have been amazing. I have been able to see dental equipment in use with hand tools we sent. I got see student reading some of the English books we got from a grammar school in Pittsfield. That school also donated cases of new food trays close to five years ago. This most current container had school desks donated by St. Joe’s and therefore had plenty of small spaces for things like the books and trays. I even got to visit the local jail were one of the dental chairs and a lot of the supplies went to. They were especially happy about the syringes we sent.
The visit to the hospital was the most interesting. To be able to see our impact there was most rewarding, I wish others were able to see it. I took pictures and will put a presentation together to show when I get back. This hospital serves not only the people from this city but to all the surrounding towns and even other states. They have just completed a whole new building for mothers and children. It is truly a beautiful building but unfortunately they lack the equipment to actually use the building. First thing they need is 28 hospital beds, we have them ready to go! They also need cribs which BMC has already donated to us. The monitor we sent on in the last containers were mostly for adults. One of the pieces of medical equipment for light therapy is working and the other I have to get a part when I return. I have already contacted BMC to let them know that equipment sent has already been put to use and that I will present a list of current needs that I am hoping they may have in North Adams. One of their biggest needs is 80 garbage cans!
I will back to Guaimaca this weekend and put the final touches on our work there and then get ready to home. Again thanks for everyone help. eddie