Agape In Action - Guatemala
Agape In Action (Agape En Accion)
Guatemala 
Summary
This medical ministry serves indigenous Mayan people who scratch out a living through farming in the temperate highlands of central Guatemala. Most families have 4 or more children living in one-room homes with no running water, dirt floors, and only occasionally electricity. Common health problems include burns, influenza, gastroenteritis, dehydration, cleft palates and lips, pre-natal complications, prolapsed uteri, malnutrition, goiters, and cancers.
Agape In Action offers the full range of outpatient care through clinics held in churches and community centers, and they host surgical teams from the US who provide procedures for patients who otherwise would be neglected. Agape also emphasizes pre-natal and obstetrical care. Students must be able to function independently in Spanish, which will allow them the opportunity to participate in every aspect of the work.
LocationAgape In Action is centered in the city of Santa Cruz del Quich�, which is the capital city of Quich� - a department (province) in south-central Guatemala. The geography of Quich� contains highlands at an elevation of 6,300 feet with a year around, “eternal spring” type of climate. Temperatures during the day rarely exceed 80 degrees F and can dip into the low-50’s at night. Rainy season lasts from May to October, and the dry season from mid-October to the end of April.
Although Santa Cruz del Quich� is a city, it is a very poor part of Guatemala. During the twenty-year civil war, a majority of the killing took place in this region. Roughly 300,000 are known dead, mostly among indigenous Mayans. While Quich� has enjoyed peace since 1997, a great social and economical chasm still exists between those of Spanish decent and the indigenous Mayans.
TransportationVisitors fly into Guatemala City, the capitol of the country. A shuttle will be arranged for transportation from the airport to the Agape In Action dormitories in Santa Cruz del Quich�, which are about 4 hours away by car on paved roads.
Visa RequirementsFor current information, please visit the Guatemalan Embassy website appropriate for your country. American citizens do not need a visa in advance, but should check the “tourist” box on the entry and exit forms received on arrival in Guatemala. No special letters or documentation is required. Tourists can stay for a period up to 90 days.
Traveler’s health & safetyPlease check the CDC travel website for the most up-to-date health information: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. HIV is unusual in Guatemala, and malaria is not a concern in Santa Cruz del Quich� due to the elevation, distance from the coast, and long dry season. Visitors should be up to date on all routine vaccinations, including tetanus.
Visitors are advised to regularly check the U.S. State Department website for the most up-to-date information regarding travel advisories: http://www.state.gov/travelandbusiness. Visitors are advised to regularly check the U.S. State Department website for the most up-to-date information regarding country specific travel information http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html
FacilitiesThe headquarters for Agape In Action is in the city of Santa Cruz del Quich�, which is located across the street from the national hospital, Santa Elena. The site includes comfortable, open-air dormitories for twenty-four people. Agape In Action conducts rural clinics at area churches and community centers. Patients are charged a very small fee, which helps them take responsibility for themselves, though no one leaves without being cared for.
Agape In Action clinics provide the full range of outpatient care. They also specialize in pre-natal care and use a portable ultrasound machine in this venue. Throughout the year, Agape In Action hosts surgical teams from the US who provide procedures for patients who are pre-selected from the Agape In Action clinics or referred by the national hospital.
WebsiteVisit Agape In Action on-line at http://www.agapeinaction.org. For the most up to date news, visit the Agape In Action blog at http://www.agapeenaccion.blogspot.com.
PatientsGenerally, people in this region make a living off the land. They earn less than $5 per day and are barely making it financially. As soon as children are able to work - about age 4 or 5 - they go to the fields with their fathers or tend to the younger children in their homes. The predominant religion is a mix of ancient Mayan ancestral worship, Roman Catholicism, and worship of the “Corn God.” In the department of Quich�, there is a strong Methodist presence and also a solid number of non-denominational, evangelical Christians.
Most patients coming for care at Agape in Action are Mayan people, including the poorest of the poor. Most of them have families with 4 or more children living in one-room homes with no running water, dirt floors, and only occasionally electricity. Common health problems include burns, influenza, gastroenteritis, dehydration, cleft palates and lips, pre-natal complications, prolapsed uteri, malnutrition, goiters, and cancers.
Health Professional StaffAgape In Action in Guatemala is led by Sherwood Hope, MD - an American physician who completed his residency at MidMichigan Family Practice Residency and medical school at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He also received an MPH at University of Michigan School of Public Health.
LanguagesAll students and volunteers must be fluent in Spanish and able to function independently in this language. Patients do not speak English, and many of them do not speak Spanish very well. Translators are available for Spanish to Quich� - the indigenous language of the region.
Student ExperienceStudents will have the opportunity to participate in every aspect of the work of Agape in Action. Training is quite hands on, with emphasis on developing clinical skills without the assistance of laboratory or radiology. “Watch it, do it, teach it” is the unofficial mantra when it comes to learning. The patient load is difficult to anticipate on any given day since many of the patients travel long distances to reach the clinics. If their elective coincides with surgical teams, students will be able to assist in surgeries and obstetrics.
Student Blogs Beth Gullone
Student Lodging & MealsStudents are accommodated in the Agape In Action dormitories, which sleep 4 people to a room. Each room has a bathroom with a sink, western toilet, and hot shower. The rooms are simple but comfortable with bedding and towel sets provided for each person. Meal preparation and clean up is a group effort with everyone participating. Breakfast and supper are served family-style. Most days, breakfast consists of cereal, fruit, coffee, and eggs. Each individual makes up his or her own sack lunch to take along for the day.
Outside CommunicationThe dormitories are equipped with wireless Internet access. Phone cards are available for very reasonable rates.
DiversionThis is a geographically beautiful country with attractive sites to visit. However, weekends are usually spent doing clinics and there isn’t any kind of “night life” in Santa Cruz. It is rare for anyone to stay up past 11 PM. Alcohol consumption and smoking are culturally unacceptable behaviors in Quich� and are not allowed.
Facility SupportINMED invites all participants to consider raising extra funds to donate to support the facility. This is not required but allows INMED participants to become involved in every aspect of medical missions.
DressVisitor should wear comfortable, cool, modest clothing - no shorts or tank tops outside of the dorms or see-through clothing. Surgical scrubs of all sizes are provided. Bring along close-toed walking shoes, flip-flops, and collared shirts (men) and long skirts (women) for church.
What To PackAs a rule, travel light. Raincoats and umbrellas are always useful. Pack a warm sweatshirt and warm pajamas. Bring basic medical tools and a couple of reference books.