2005
January 2005 - Medical professionals made a trip to deliver needed services and deliver supplies ranging from medications to wheelchairs. One difficult wheelchair delivery included carrying the chair about a mile beyond the end of a dirt road and then using a fallen tree as a bridge to cross a river. This small effort on our part, had a tremendous impact on that family. Everyone of the volunteers agreed, it was well worth their sacrifice.The medical therapists from various disciplines treated long lines of individuals from the early morning well into the late hours. They treated over a hundred individuals during the 7 days they were in Nicaragua. They returned home physically exhausted but spiritually renewed. These dedicated professions returned to New York and immediately began planning their next visit.
February 2005 - Parishioners, volunteers and students distributed clothing, household items and school supplies to the people of Amatitan.
Housing: The students under the supervision of a teacher, Jack Fitzgerald, worked with a local carpenter to build a home. The local committee was tasked with identifying one of the most needy families in thier area. They selected for an elderly grandmother, Dona Olga, who cared for an epileptic child and her orphaned grandchildren in a run-down shack. Working long hours in the heat and dust of Central America, these students dug a foundation, laid bricks and toiled for 6 days. They developed a close relationship with Dona Olga and her family which was demonstrated by the tears they shed leaving Amatitan. Benito, our carpenter, and some local helpers put the finishing touches on this home which can be viewed in these photographs.
Education: The Education Committee from OLQM met with the local education comite in Amatitan. A full day meeting was conducted to review the local procedures and transfer much of the responsibility to the comite which was elected by the people of Amatitan. These dedicated individuals review each application for a beca (tuition assistance) to ensure our donations reach the most needy. They are often faced with difficult decisions and take their fiscal responsibility very seriously. Their knowledge and judgment have enabled the OLQM donations to help more families and has resulted in dramatically increased attendance of primary, secondary and even university level students from this impoverished area.
Medical: Several local medical doctors and dentists have contributed supplies for the clinic in Amatitan. Three large cases filled with medical supplies were delivered to the local clinic which is staffed by a full time nurse and visiting doctor. This meeting was also used to identify the serious need for running water in the clinic. While the construction of the clinic included basic plumbing, the government funding ran out before the well and pump could be completed. This will be a priority for our organization over the next year!
The student volunteers used their knowledge of Spanish while visiting all of the schools situated throughout the Amatitan area. They conducted brief workshops where they distributed toothbrushes and toothpaste to the students and provided instructions on the proper way to brush their teeth. Many of our volunteer students wound up brushing their teeth 9 or 10 times each day. Talk about sparkling smiles!
Organization: Over the past year, a census was taken which identified six distinct areas within Amatitan. Elections were held in each of these sections and a 5 person comite (committee) was appointed for each area. One person from each sector comite was then appointed to the "Base Comite" for issues impacting the overall area. This organizational structure provides a local presence to make the day-to-day decisions for the equitable distribution of benefits to the community. The large base of elected representatives ensures that decisions are based on need rather than favoritism. We had the opportunity to witness this process first hand during this trip and came away amazed at the commitment and dedication of these unpaid community representatives.
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Our
Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish
53 Prospect Road
Centerport, NY 11721
Phone:
(631) 757-8184
Fax: (631) 757-8181
E-mail: rectory@olqmparish.org
© 2008