The Fourth Mission -- March 2003

New Services, New Programs, New Friends: March 15-22, 2003

Volunteers of The Chiapas Project returned to Mexico for another week of service to the Zoque people of Ocotepec. This, the fourth trip, was highlighted by an increased number of volunteers, inclusion of ophthalmologists who performed the first eye surgeries in the history of the area, the start of an effort to improve the diet of the people to include more protein, a pilot program to install vents in homes to eliminate the smoke of cooking fires, and the development of a close relationship with the members of the Rotary Club of Chiapa de Corzo.

Our group (9 physicians, 3 dentists, 4 nurses, 1 paramedic, 1 physical therapist, 5 adult volunteers, 14 student volunteers, and of course, 4 Salesian Sisters and Giorgio) gathered in the state capital of Tuxtla Gutierrez on Saturday, March 15th. In addition to the 2 tons of equipment and supplies brought from the U.S., food and small equipment were purchase in Mexico. A caravan of trucks and a bus left for Ocotepec on Sunday morning. The road continues to be built, making the drive much less harrowing than on previous missions. The rest of the day on Sunday was spent setting up the clinics (dental, general medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, ophthalmology), the pharmacy, the kitchen, and an operating room.

During the days on Monday through Wednesday our main clinics were open for business. Approximately 2000 patients were treated and over 5000 prescriptions were filled. Small teams went door-to-door treating invalids in Ocotepec and in the outlaying villages. Smaller clinics were established in the villages to treat those unable to make the hike into Ocotepec.

Our new ophthalmology clinic, manned by Drs. Rosario Sanchez (Mexico), Judith Simon (U.S.), and Anthony Cabrera (Canada), nurses Kathie Lawrence and Joanne Farr, and student volunteers from the U.S. and Mexico, was situated in a building across the street from the main building. Despite encountering a few glitches with the surgical microscope and in establishing a format for running the service, hundreds of patients with eye problems were treated and several cataract surgeries were completed in the operating room adjacent to the main eye clinic. This group of volunteers experienced the joy of having surgical patients return the next day for their post-op check-ups thanking the staff for restoring their sight. All three of these physicians have committed to returning to Ocotepec in August. They hope for more ophthalmologists and for the donation of another surgical microscope in time for the next trip. (Please see "How to Volunteer" and "How to Make a Donation" areas of our website.)

Perhaps the busiest place in Ocotepec during our stay was the pharmacy. Kim Brody again served as our chief pharmacist (especially impressive in that she is only 15 years old). She trained other non-medical volunteers to fill prescriptions, explain to the patients how to take their medications, and the most difficult task - reading the doctors' and nurses' handwriting. Over 5000 prescriptions were compounded and almost all of the medicines brought to Mexico were distributed. The pharmacy is in need of massive quantities of medicines (especially vitamins, anti-parasitics, anti-biotics, analgesics, pediatric doses, anti-inflammatories, etc.) and monetary donations so that we may purchase more meds before the August trip. Readers are encouraged to contact their doctors, asking them to request donations from their pharmaceutical company representatives.

The dental clinic ran smoothly (especially after locating the missing dental drills). Drs. Carlos Aquino Nanez (Tuxtla Gutierrez), Doug Kohlan (Hawaii) and Dave Brody (NJ) were joined by Santa Comacho (Mexico City) and Sam Seamans (honorary Doctors of Dental Sealantology) and MANY adult and student volunteers. Hundreds of teeth were extracted while hundreds of others were restored and/or sealed. Cindy Seamans taught dental hygiene concepts and techniques and distributed thousands of toothbrushes while patients waited their turn. Dental disease is rampant in the area and, prior to the arrival of The Chiapas Project, no care was available. Supplies were obtained at a deep discount from the World Dental Relief organization in Oklahoma. The dental clinic is in need of a sterilizer and monetary donations to purchase more supplies for the upcoming trip. Dentists are needed for our next trip. For some unknown reason, we have had a very difficult time recruiting volunteers. Readers are asked to tell their dentists of our work and refer them to our website.

Our medical clinics were constantly busy, treating ailments ranging from infections and pain to life-threatening conditions. While our doctors and nurses are able to treat acute problems, they cannot treat chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic respiratory ailments, tumors, malnutrition, etc.), as follow-up care is not available. The Chiapas Project's goal of establishing a full-time clinic staffed by Mexican practitioners remains a dream, but seems closer to reality given the progress that has been made in such a short time.

While medical care was being delivered, other volunteers, working with local tradesmen, started two projects aimed at eliminating the causes of many of the medical conditions.

In an effort to increase that amount of protein in the diet, Cindy Seamans has been working with Heifer International, an organization that seeks to provide breeding livestock to poor populations. Joanne Liegner purchased 6 rabbits in Tuxtla and brought them to Ocotepec. Rodiberto Perez (Ernesto's father) and Giorgio built the Taj Mahal of rabbit hutches where Giorgio and Sor Anna Maria will oversee their procreation and eventual distribution to the families in the area. Hopefully, in time, every family will have its own breeding colony. One day we hope to publish the Zoque Rabbit Cookbook.

The other non-medical project began in March addresses the problem of smoke in the homes. Our doctors and nurses have found that the incidence of chronic respiratory problems is very high. We realized that people cook on open fires and the smoke is trapped in the home by the corrugated metal roofs until it fills the home and then escapes through the walls. Four homes were selected by Sor Anna Maria to receive tin vents. Sam Seamans worked with the local tinsmith to develop a design and to arrange for installation. Each of these vents cost USD$30, money having been donated by friends of the Seamans. We are currently investigating a simpler and less costly design so that volunteers in August can work with Ocotepecans to install vents in many homes. Non-medical volunteers are needed for this worthwhile project.

All of The Chiapas Project volunteers, especially first-timers, are overwhelmed by the hospitality of the Zoque people. These people who have so little are incredibly generous with their friendship and gratitude. They share their coffee, chocolate and corn with us as a way of saying thanks. The church services, even for those who do not subscribe to its form, are humbling and wonderful. It is the time that the community comes together. We are privileged to be considered as members of their community. It should be noted that the return of Ernesto Perez Hernandez, the 9 year-old who has been living with the Brody/Liegner family while having life-changing orthopedic treatment, was greeted with joy by all of the people of Ocotepec. Ernesto, born with leg tendons too short to allow him to extend his legs at the knees, walked down the aisle of the church with the aid of a walker. His neighbors stood and applauded this brave little boy who had never stood before his journey to the United States, much less walked on his own.

As always, leaving Ocotepec was very difficult, mitigated only by the knowledge that we will return in August. We returned to Tuxtla Gutierrez and the Camino Real hotel on Thursday. That afternoon saw many of the volunteers enjoying the facilities, particularly the pool. People went out on the town to enjoy the city that evening. On Friday some volunteers toured the spectacular Sumidiero Canyon by boat while others used the time to discover Tuxtla Gutierrez.

On Friday evening we were hosted by the Rotary Club of nearby Chiapa de Corzo. These men and women give their time to their community by establishing a medical clinic and are currently building a school for special-needs children. They have joined with the Rotary Club of Newton, New Jersey to obtain a grant from Rotary International to support the work of The Chiapas Project. Friday night's party included typical Chiapan food (and beer), a mariachi band, and a great sense of brotherhood. We look forward to a long relationship with these fine people.

Our group left Chiapas on Saturday, March 22nd for Mexico City. From there, most people traveled to New Jersey while others went off to Canada, Chicago, Minneapolis and Florida. Since returning, each volunteer has had the opportunity to digest the moments of his or her experiences in Chiapas. Many will return. Others will inspire others to step foreword to help. All will be secure in the knowledge that their efforts have made a difference.

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