Lent is always a time to prepare our hearts to receive Christ yet again. So, in the midst of the bustle of preparations for our teams return, we also prepared our hearts. We knew our U.S. and Guatemalan volunteers were doing the same as they joyfully yearned for the day when we would again meet Jesus in the eyes of our patients and the eyes of each other. As we prepared for our first team to arrive on May 1st!
Our Medical Clinic Program staff are prepared to welcome the Village Medical Clinic teams home! Guatemalan volunteers have organized their communities and our staff have worked beside them on every detail, visiting sites throughout the country finalizing logistics, surveying medical clinic locations, and updating safety protocols. Patients are awaiting our return!
Our Surgical Program staff have conducted orthopedic triage clinics scheduling patients ahead of the first orthopedic team arriving May 1. They are collaborating with Obras and Hilario Galindo on COVID-19 prevention protocols, conducting dry-runs to anticipate and troubleshoot potential issues prior to team arrivals, and working closely with Guatemalan volunteers to make sure their patients receive the care they need.
Monthly Zoom calls with all returning team leaders and additional team-specific roundtables focus on in-depth discussions related to patient care, logistics, safety protocols, supplies, and more.
The warehouse staff has been busy packing and organizing medications and supplies for returning teams. A DeRoyal-sponsored container has arrived in Guatemala with 20 pallets of PPE donated by Henry Schein Cares and PROTEKX. Zimmer Biomet has donated orthopedic knee and hip implants and instrumentation. Additional supplies are also on their way to Guatemala with more to follow!