Bienvenidos – Welcome USIHA 2011-2012 Guatemala – Peten
Why Peten?
- According to the North American International Health Medical Educational Consortium Essential topics for IH curriculum are the following:
- Malnutrition
- Family Planning and Population Programs
- Immunizations
- Understanding Cross Cultural Barriers
- Maternal-child health
- Sanitation (clean water, sewage, waste)
- Community Health Care
- Visits to the villages in Petén combine all of these essential curricula within a confined indigenous population
Every Program Needs a Village
Objectives for the villages
- To provide health services to patients in remote areas who have limited access to health care.
- To understand the cultural and socioeconomic issues which influence clinical decision making.
- To “experience personally” the obstacles the poor experience in accessing health care.
Objectives for the student
- To provide health services to patients in remote areas who have limited access to health care.
- To understand the cultural and socioeconomic issues which influence clinical decision making.
- To “experience personally” the obstacles the poor experience in accessing health care.
Reflections
Karen Cavanaugh
In just one month, I was enlightened by a stronger grasp of the Spanish language, a deeper understanding of the Guatemalan people and culture, and clearer idea of how to address the medical needs of the people I served.
Teresa Codini
I live with humility… also with joy and gratitude.
Kyle Buchanan
I constantly struggle with the degree of poverty, disparity…. When trying to make sense of such injustices “Are some humans less human than others?”
Kyle Buchanan
I am constantly reminded of the limits of medicine… I continue to search for my role in situations such as that in Guatemala. I have learned a lot about what it takes to improve the current state of health care in Guatemala, about the daily struggles, and small triumphs of a rich culture — and I hope we have given the people of Guatemala at least half of what I have gained from personal interaction.
Jimmy Obermmeyer
The indigenous Guatemalans are a beautiful example of those who have overcome adversity and found success as a people.
Dorothy Doshida
The most helpful aspects were the Spanish language classes. The ability to communicate is shown by the smiles on the patients’ faces.
Missionaries
to bring the reality of Petén to the students
Brother Martin Shea says : “my life began when I joined Maryknoll”.
Martin provides an insight info life in a village – the village which he established with the refugees from the war.
Susanna Emerick has taught the Health Promoters in Petén for the last 20 years and in Guatemala for 40 years
Her clinic and lab in Las Cruces teaches the students infectious diseases and the challenges of working in resource poor settings.
Social Consciousness
This exposure affects the students in the following ways:
- Changed their world views
- Increased cultural sensitivity
- Enhanced community, social and public health awareness
- Enhanced clinical and communication skills
- More appropriate resource utilization
Cost
$3,300.00 per person
- Administration
- Technical support
- Facility
- Local assistance.
- Transportation in Petén to the villages and clinics
- Spanish class Antigua ( 20 hours)
- Housing Antigua
- Housing Petén with US standards.
- 3 prepared meals
Flight Arrangements
What to Expect in Your Elective
ANTIGUA
Francisco Marroquin Spanish School
One of the most recognized Spanish Schools in Antigua.
A personal instructor provides 20 hours of one on one instruction for 5 days.
Home stay is provided with a traditional Guatemalan family close to the school.
PETEN
“JORNADA DAYS“ are clinical days in which
you will be traveling to a remote village.
Students are advised to bring: your personal stethoscope, flashlight, and pocket treatment manuals.
Students will organized all needed medicine and supplies from USIHA mission house medical supply cabinet.
Weekends will be free for personal travel.
Free Time Suggestions
Antigua
- PACAYA VOLVANO FEE $ 7.00 per person TRANSPORTATION TO THE VOLCANO
Public : $10.00 per person
Private: $94.00 per group - COFFEE FARM
FILADELFIA coffee farm FEE: $ 20.00 ASOTEA coffee farm & museum FEE: $ 6.00
- SAN ANTONIO AGUASCALIENTES TEXTILES Textile FEE: $6.00 PER PERSON Transportation FEE: $10.00
- MUSEUM CASA SANTO DOMINGO FEE: $ 7.00
- SAN JUAN DEL OBISPO MUSEUM
- CHOCOLATE FACTORY FEE: $6.00
- MACADAMIA PLANTACION FEE: $2.00
Peten
- TIKAL FEE: $20.00 per person
- CANOPYING FEE : $ 30.00 per person TRANSPORTATION TO TIKAL
Private per group FEE:$90.00
Public per person FEE: $10.00 - YAXCHA FEE: $ 10 per person
- YAXCHA ECOLODGE FEE: $20-30.00 per person/night
- BELIZE BORDER FEE: $15.00 per person Transportation to and from Belize $40.00
- TAXI FEE $2.00 per person to go to flores.
- TAYAZAL FEE $3.00
- VILLA MAYA HOTEL, SWIMMING POOL AND RESTAURANT.
Optional Weekend Trips
TIKAL
- – The largest national park of the MAYA in Petén
- Hike
- Experience the tropical rain forest
- Hear the holler monkey
- See a diversity of animals in their own habitat
- Swim in Lake Petén Itza
- Try a canopy tour
- Shop on the Island of Flores
- Experience in Yaxcha at sunset
- Have a cup of coffee & read a good book with a view of the island
Evaluation
- The most helpful aspects were the Spanish classes in Antigua & the discussions with Bro. Martin.
- The parts of the program I liked best Spanish training in Antigua, jornadas and the great interaction with villagers, the list of things to bring, overnight stays in the villages, teaching by Father Bill, Mitch, and Dr. Phil, clinic with Dr. Novak, and wonderful accommodations.
- The most helpful to me was being immersed in a culture and being given increased autonomy in making medical decisions. I really liked the formal Spanish classes.
- Jornadas allowed for a lot of autonomy and were helpful when trying to gain medical confidence before beginning residency. Finally I think everyday living combined with Marty’s stories and various field trips provided for well- rounded cultural experience- great combination!!!
- The packing list really helped. Spanish class was fantastic and it was good to stay a little after class in Flores to relax.
- Wow…. How to explain?? I would say the most concrete insights are learning about the situation in Guatemala in the past and present, insight into life in the aldeas, medical knowledge