NEW ENDEAVOUR!!!

The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, have decided to respond to two of the greatest needs of the people they serve in Guatemala City.  With the help of several groups of professional (architects, engineers, lawyers, and business managers they have developed a project that covers two basic needs, health and youth in crisis.  In  2011, with the help of their province of Mexico, they were able to purchase a piece of land 20 meters x  80 meters. This land will be used to build a Health Centre (Centro de Salud) that will consist of:

1. Dental Clinic
2. Pediatric Clinic
3. Gynecology
4. Psychology
5. X- ray Department
6. Pharmacy
7. General Practice
8. Youth Center

The project has three phases, the construction of the building, the purchase of equipment and  finally the operation.  It has been estimated that the cost of the construction of the Centre will be Q 4,500,000.61 ($ 580,645.24 x 7.75 US, exchange rate). The cost for the remaining stages have yet to be determined.

This  project will  be developed in the colony San Ignacio which they have served for 25 years.  It is important to note that 40 percent of  the families have a parent missing, due to migration and alcoholism as well as there are many single mothers.   Housing in the area, is confined to a room rented in the majority of  cases and which does not measure more than 4 x 4 meters built with plastic or cardboard. Living in such a small area leads to many health problems. Most families live on a few dollars a day which is not enough to cover the basic needs of the family.

The Oblate missionaries and a group of lay professionals have developed this plan in the hope of finding solutions to address the needs of the people in  Colony San Ignacio. This project will become a reality only through the cooperation of  many generous people, local and foreign agencies that are willing to help to improve the life of the poor and neglected.

So my work begins.  FUND RAISING here I come!!