workmanj Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Hi, Some classmates of mine are trying to plan some kind of community project/service trip for the next year. I was wondering if anyone had any contacts or ideas of places we could start looking? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator ventana Posted March 10, 2011 Moderator Share Posted March 10, 2011 check out www.capecares.com I am likely leading a trip in Feb of 2012 or maybe this summer. If you are bilingual we would love having you oh yeah in Honduras they have no idea what a PA is so you just function as a doc (with the blessing of the Gov't!) one week - mid feb (nice warm place!) pm me for more details Tentative 2011 Cape CARES Trip Dates 2011Los Encinitos February 12-19, 2011 El Algodonal February 25-March 4, 2011 San Marcos March 4-11, 2011 Los Encinitos April 30-May 7, 2011 El Algodonal June 11-18, 2011 San Marcos June 18-25, 2011 San Marcos October 22-29, 2011 El Algodonal October 29-November 5, 2011 Los Encinitos November 5-12, 2011 Upon arrival at Toncontin airport in Tegucigalpa, we are met and helped through customs by our Honduras contact . We regroup and organize our baggage and arrange for rental vehicles for travel to the site. Teams destined for Los Encinitos proceed directly to the site. Teams to San Marcos and El Algodonal generally travel to the Oasis Hotel in Jicaro Galan, about a two hour trip. The El Algodonal team stays at the Oasis every night and commutes to the worksite each day. The San Marcos team spends one night at the Oasis and then drives two to three hours over dusty and winding roads to San Marcos. San Marcos Team outside the Oasis Hotel enroute to San Marcos In all sites, the workday begins before daybreak. The El Algodonal team eats breakfast at the Oasis before leaving for work. The Los Encinitos and San Marcos teams bathe in unheated water and eat breakfast prepared by the local hosts. In advance of our arrival, village leaders organize the scheduling of surrounding villages in order to facilitate efficient care. Patients are triaged according to their medical or dental needs. This medical and dental care is provided free of charge by the Cape CARES volunteers. Some sites do not have electricity so all treatment must be given during daylight hours, and sometimes even then the light of a flashlight is necessary. Grinding corn for tortillas While in Honduras we adopt the Honduran way of life. Most Honduran meals, including breakfast, begin with red beans, tortillas, and fried plantains. There is some meat, and cooked vegetables, often in soups. The dessert is usually local produce, delicious melons and bananas. One of the benefits is the opportunity to enjoy the local surroundings on foot. The people are very hospitable and gracious and often invite us into their homes to share their family life. We have learned how people support themselves in a subsistence economy. We have met midwives, rope makers, hammock makers, and people who make woven mats. For the most part, these people are farmers who work small family plots. Much work is done cooperatively. The women join together to make jellies and hand sewn articles, and the men pool the crops which are not needed by their families and sell them in the markets. Because we live and work so closely with these people, we develop strong bonds of friendship. Historically, most of the dental care provided was surgical—extracting badly decayed teeth. As the years have progressed, we have emphasized education and prevention and now we are able to provide fillings, dental cleanings and fluoride treatments. Dentists and dental hygienists visit the schools to provide basic oral hygiene instruction and distribute toothbrushes. Physicians and nurses teach the school children about importance of physical cleanliness and proper handling of food as well as how to prevent communicable diseases, including STDs. On the medical side, treatment has gone from primarily treating acute problems, to managing and preventing chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. Oral care instruction at San Marcos school On every trip there has been an occasion on which the outcome would have been dramatically different had we not been there and able to provide acute and emergency care. In once case, a man fell down a well and had to be rescued. He was extracted from the well using an ironing board for a body splint, was stabilized, and sent to Tegucigalpa for further treatment. Another situation involved an eight year old boy who had partially amputated his thumb with a machete. He and his father walked for three hours to reach the clinic. Fortunately, the team included a hand surgeon and she was able to reattach the thumb and administer antibiotics. Another patient appeared one evening having been treated at the hospital in San Lorenzo five weeks previously. She was unable to walk and had a high fever. Our physician discovered that she had a five inch piece of cane lodged in her foot which had not been found at the hospital. He was able to remove it by the light of several flashlights and lanterns. At day’s end, when it is no longer light enough to see and provide care, we clean up and sterilize our equipment, and relax and review the day’s activities. We update our patient records, which are submitted to the Honduran government at the end of our visit. We socialize with the children of the village and play games with them. We have a leisurely dinner and watch the stars come out. We are usually in bed early, because we know we have an early start the next day. Moonrise in San Marcos Passport All American citizens must have a valid U.S. passport for travel to Honduras. Your U.S. passport must be valid for at least SIX months after your scheduled date of return to the United States. We encourage you to carry a photocopy of your U.S. passport with you at all times while in Honduras. Required documents We must receive your Cape CARES' application and required documents and fee 8 weeks prior to departure for Honduras. This includes: a copy of your passport photo page, a copy of your driver's license (only necessary if you intend to drive in Honduras), copies of your medical/dental license and diploma (only if you are physician or dentist), a check for the in-country fee of $550, and (optional) a check for lempiras, (see Lempiras info below). Before making your flight reservations, check with your team leader as to your team's target arrival time. We make every effort to have team members arrive within an hour or two of one another. Make your flight reservations and provide the Cape CARES administrator with your flight itinerary. (Some team leaders may book a group reservation. You have the option of being included or making your own flight arrangements.) Check with your physician regarding a prescription for chloroquine, an anti-malaria pill. If you choose to get a prescription, start taking it two weeks prior to your departure for Honduras. You should also ask your physician's advice regarding a Hepatitis shot and tetanus protection. Baggage information You are permitted to take a carry-on that can fit under your seat, and two suitcases, maximum weight - 50 lbs. each. Typically, however, volunteers take a carry-on and one suitcase. We bring a lot of dental and medical supplies with us from the States. We may ask you to help us by taking a suitcase of medical supplies in addition to your own baggage. Please pack lightly At the clinic, you can wear scrubs, t-shirts, shorts or slacks. Some people prefer slacks so as to provide protection from mosquitoes. Typically, in the evening, people wear shorts, T-shirts, and sandals. You will need one casual, neat outfit for the 'farewell' dinner at the end of our week. We discourage wearing of short shorts as a courtesy to the Honduran people. Slacks or skirts for women are preferred in the city. Do not wear clothing with a "military" look, i.e. camouflage, etc. For footwear, we suggest supportive sneakers + socks for the clinic, open shoes or sandals for after clinic, flip flops for the shower. Laundry In San Marcos and Los Encinitos, there is laundry service on site, so you can get away with minimum clothes. At the Oasis Hotel, staff will do your laundry for a fee. Valuables Please leave valuables at home. Travel with a small amount of cash and a minimum number of credit cards. While in the city and at the airport, be aware of those around you. "What to Bring" Suggestions Passport Driver's license Credit card - we suggest you bring only one Flashlight or headlamp, extra batteries Camera, batteries, memory card Insect repellant with DEET Sunscreen Hat - the sun is strong Bandana - for the dust, or to soak in cool water and wear around the neck to keep coolLos Encinitos and San Marcos teams: There may be sheets on site, but you may want to bring a sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner, or air mattress. Bring your own towels. Two or three sets of scrubs Bathing suit - the Oasis Hotel has a pool Personal toiletries Personal medications, vitamins, (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate, Tums, band-aids, anti-bacterial ointments, etc.) Anti-malaria meds Wristwatch and/or travel alarm clock Extra pair of prescription glasses; contact lens care items Sunglasses Cell phone - may or may not work in country. You can purchase an international calling plan from your carrier. El Algodonal teams: non-perishable snacks for lunches while at clinic; e.g. granola bars, nuts, cans of tuna fish, packets of cheese and crackers Water bottle - put your name on it Reading material, crossword puzzles, sudoku - "things to do when the sun goes down"Backpack or fanny pack - good for carrying items you may need throughout the day, e.g. camera, tissues, hand sanitizer, pens, etc. Medical and dental personnel - instruments you will want at clinic Arriving in Honduras We fly into Toncontin Airport in Tegucigalpa, the capital city of Honduras. Our Honduran contact, a member of the Knights of Malta, meets us at the airport, guides us through customs, and takes us to our vehicle rentals. All team members are responsible for assisting in loading and unloading supplies. Once with the group, please stay together. If you must leave the group temporarily, tell your team leader where you are going. The Los Encinitos team travels from the airport to its site. The San Marcos and El Algodonal teams travel to either the Hotel Oasis in Jicaro Galan or Hotel Real Vista Hermosa in Nacaome. The El Algodonal team is based at the hotel for the week and commutes to the site each day. The San Marcos team spends one night at the hotel and makes the 2-3 hour trip to San Marcos the next morning. Please click on Our Sites for site-specific information. The Oasis Hotel The Oasis has air-conditioning, TV, showers, and a swimming pool. For electricity, you do not need a converter. The hotel supplies towels and bed linens, but does not supply toiletries. Be sure to bring your own. Proper tipping for the maids at the hotel is between 20-50 lempiras. The team leader tips the wait staff. Almost all accommodations will be double rooms shared by team members. El Algodonal team members are to leave room keys at the desk before going to clinic so the housekeeper can clean rooms. Climate Honduras is hot, usually humid, and can be about 88-100 degrees by mid-day. The rainy season begins in early summer. During this season, there may be rain showers and thunderstorms daily. They are, however, brief and blue skies and sun quickly replace the clouds. Sanitary facilities In Honduras, you don't flush toilet paper. Instead, you put it in the bucket next to the toilet. Water pressure is not great and even a small amount of paper might clog the pipes. The bucket will be emptied every day by the housekeeper. Water Do not drink tap water. Only drink bottled water and be sure to drink enough during the day so that you do not get dehydrated. Bring your filled water bottle with you to the clinic. At the Oasis Hotel, there will be a pitcher of water in your room. This water is safe to drink and to use when brushing your teeth. Lempiras for spending money For your convenience, we can change your U.S. dollars into lempiras for you. If you mail us a check 4-8 weeks prior to your departure, we will provide you with your lempiras upon your arrival in Honduras. Typically, volunteers request to have $50-$100 converted to lempiras. You will not need a lot of money in Honduras, just some for souvenirs, tipping, departure tax, and other incidentals. You will need the equivalent of about $35- $40 U.S. to for your departure tax. You can pay this with lempiras, U.S. dollars, or a combination of the two. This tax cannot be paid with a credit card. As a general support person, what will I be doing? As a general support person, you may be asked to assist the doctors and/or dentists, help with registration of patients, care for an infant or entertain a young child while a parent is seen, help with eye-testing, sterilize instruments, act as pharmacist, or provide education on dental care. We go over the particulars of the clinic and team members' responsibilities when we arrive in Honduras. Everyone helps set up the clinic on our first day and take it down on our last day. Spanish fluency? You do not have to speak Spanish to join a Cape CARES team. If you know the language or even a few words, that certainly helps. Since it's critical that we have personnel to translate for physicians and dentists who do not know the language, we oftentimes have students from the Discovery School in Tegucigalpa join our teams as translators. Suggested supplies that MD’s can bring from home: stethoscope otoscope opthalmoscope BP cuff Flashlight tongue depressors several surgical kits lido Hibiclens Scalpels Sutures a quick reference for prescribing any good very simple patient education materials in Spanish Suggested supplies that DMD’s can bring from home : Gloves Surgery instruments Some resorb sutures 2x2s H.P. angle if you are using the electric HP----otherwise 4 hole handpieces for the unit 100 feet or so of 3 wire extension cord if you use the generator (maybe multi plug adapter) Local anesthetic 200 to 300 carps Boxes of needles (just in case) Syringes Flashlights and batteries Surgical burs Matches or spark lighter for the stove Anesthetics Gauze Suggested supplies that RN’s can bring from home: stethoscope a well functioning glucometer with disposable lancets and strips an electronic BP machine urine dipsticks pregnancy tests (Note: An RN who traveled with a team to El Algodonal in June ’10, said “while there are tons of supplies, it's best to bring your essential triage tools with you”. Miscellaneous and helpful hints 1. The Cape CARES board has established a policy of not bringing gifts to individuals in the villages. Please do not bring candy or toys, or other items to give away to the villagers. However, "good patient" stickers for the children are acceptable and can be given at the end of the appointment. 2. We do not encourage you to go out after dark. If you choose to, however, do not go alone and bring a flashlight. Also, always let someone else know where you are going. We have never had an incident, but caution is highly recommended whenever you leave the team and/or site. 3. The food is great in Honduras. It will be prepared just for us each day in a safe manner so that we do not have to worry about illness. It is homemade and basic, like chicken and rice, or fried chicken, or rice and beans, with assorted local vegetables and fruits. 4. On our last night in Honduras, we stay in Tegucigalpa at either Leslie's Place or at the Maya Hotel. That evening, we enjoy a festive farewell dinner, compliments of Cape CARES. The next morning, we have rides to the airport where we each need to pay our departure tax. This is to be paid in cash and must be paid in either lempiras, U.S. dollars, or a combination of the two. 5. On your return flight, you will receive a customs form to be completed prior to entry into the U.S. When filling out the form, indicate your reason for traveling to Honduras was for tourism. 6. Cape CARES pays for all basic food and lodging, as well as for evacuation insurance for each of us in the event of a medical emergency. Before the trip, emergency contact numbers will be provided to you for your family. Is the food safe to eat? We recommend that you drink only bottled water. On site, the food is prepared by people who have been trained to observe hygienic food practices. A good rule of thumb is to avoid eating uncooked food . Do we provide the same quality of medical and dental care that is provided in the U.S.? Given the limited resources, we attempt to give every person the best care possible. We adhere to the same standards of care that we use in the U.S. and respect the dignity of each patient. In case of emergency, how does our family contact us? Cape CARES Administrator, Lisa Scapellati508.631.4848David Jacobs617.974.6708Randall G. Baldwin, DMD203.438.5174 IN HONDURAS:U.S. Embassy 011.504.2238.5114 U.S. Embassy (after hours) 011.504.2236.8497 Knights of Malta 011.504.2238.1456 Jorge Agurcia (Knights) 011.504.2236.9200 Oasis Hotel (desk) 011.504.2795.4006 Oasis Hotel (cell) 011.504.9592.0006 Maya Hotel (Tegucigalpa) 011.504.220.5000 Hotel Real Vista Hermosa (Nacaome) 011.504.2795.5160 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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