2010 and 2011 Nicaragua Medical Mission Talk

          On Tuesday, January 18 at 7pm, members of the 2010 Nicaragua Medical Mission will provide a presentation on their journey to assist the poor of that country. The presentation will be held at the Canastota Public Library in the Lawson Community Room. It will include a slide show as well as questions and answers from members of last year’s team. The Nicaragua Medical Mission is looking for help in making this year’s mission a reality.
          The Away Team for the Nicaraguan Medical Mission in 2011 will be leaving for Nicaragua on February 11 and return on February 22. Greg Wright, a Physician Assistant will be the Medical Director of the team. The team will consist of twenty-two people from Central New York who will set up medical clinics in remote areas near Jinotega and Managua. Last year, the group served almost 1300 people in five treatment days. Each patient was given a three month supply of vitamins and women also received calcium and folic acid. According to the Medical Mission team leader, Sue LaBarre, patients were also treated for high blood pressure, diabetes, infections and musculoskeletal pain. At each clinic, the group strives to hand out shoes, school uniforms, toothbrushes, vegetable seeds and other needed items.
          “Patients walked for miles, often barefoot, to be seen at our clinics. They sometimes waited hours to be seen by one of our providers and then gave us handshakes, hugs and blessings for the help we brought,” LeBarre noted.
          A second part of the mission is to support Children of Destiny, Nicaragua, part of Globe International Nicaragua mission which includes three orphanages. The orphans and housemothers open their homes to allow the mission team to live safely while in Nicaragua and so the team tries to bring the school and orphanages donations as well.
          The Away Team roster for the 2011 trip has not been completely filled, nor has the goal to raise $13,000 for the trip been raised. All of the Away Team does not need to have medical training. There are needs for gatekeepers, people movers and donation clerks as well.
          If you are interested in learning more about the Medical Mission to Nicaragua, please plan to attend this presentation. Light refreshments will be served following the 45 minute slide show and talk. A question and answer period is also a part of the presentation.