So, How fast do Mushrooms Grow??

 Our guys have several projects going on.  

A few weeks ago, they were shaving coconuts and making coconut oil.  

Now, they have been growing oyster mushrooms.  While it takes several weeks to six months to grow some types of mushrooms, this can grow in only fourteen days!

So, this was one growth that had started.

This is a side view.

Oyster mushrooms are high in protein.  One ounce has 3 grams of protein, 28 calories and 5 grams of carbohydrates.  

Oscar and Obdulio brought this out one morning and this is what it looked like the next day!!

You can see how quickly they have grown.

That afternoon, we enjoyed mushroom tacos. Our guy can not only grow, they can cook!
 

Meting With MAGA and Learning About Oyster Mushrooms

Today, we met with MAGA and spent a couple of hours with them.  For those that do not know, they are the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food. There were about seven from that organization with Kemmel, Obdulio, Oscar and me.

MAGA started working with Health Talents in 2014 and in the last two years they have become more active.  For those who have been here before, the side of land, near the apartments has been used for cultivating plants.

Lots of new trees and plants have been added to Clinic Ezell.  There are now 4,000 types of plants and more will be added in the future.  We will have more fruit trees, medicinal plants and bambu.

This is one of the trees that was planted in the hotel area.

The guys enjoy this work, even though the heat makes some days difficult. In the background, you can see the new bio-hazard building.

 Another addition was our own wishing well. It is behind the hospital area.

A closer look, will let you see that it was made it three tires.........creative.

 Next, I will share with you the mushroom project.

A Day in the Samayac Clinic

Every day is different for me and that is good.  I do not want to run the risk of being bored.  That is not a pleasant event.

I have the opportunity to go out into the clinics and help the promoters, when there is a need. I enjoy getting out and getting to know these communities.  There is a lot of difference between living here and in Chichicastenango and I am learning to appreciate both cultures.

This clinic, is in a community called Rio Bravo.  We have this clinic twice a month on Mondays.  This is Elmer and he is welcoming the patients and sharing some thoughts with them before we start clinic. Elmer, is one of our three evangelists and he has been with us for several years.

 

 

Jose is a promoter that has been with Health Talents for many years. He has worked in a few roles here and does a very good job.  Now, he travels every day with Dr. Walter and checks patients into the clinic.

Berta works in the pharmacy. Her mother, Dina, worked for Health Talents for many years in clinics. I have attempted to get Dina to fill in some but have not been very successful. Maybe one day, my luck will change. Berta is in nursing school and seems to be doing real well. She is very attentive and helpful.

When we finish clinic early, we return to Montellano to help in another role.  There is always something to be done.

Another Birthday

For some, birthdays are a day special.  For me, it is another day of work but my partners-in-non-crime, made it a special day.  

We went to clinic and I was gifted Diet Coke and ceviche, for my morning break. Then at lunch, we had a wonderful creamed chicken, rice and broccoli.  Nothing could be better.  

When we arrived back at the clinic in Montellano, I was called to the dining room and surprised with a cake and music. There were several employees there, with a cake and candles.  Only two candles, not enough to cause a fire disaster and I appreciate that!

 

Then the photos started.......I had dodged the original cake that was meant for my nose, so felt that I deserved some for all of those that we have surprised in the past! Many know Silvia Neomi, who is a nurse here in Montellano.

 

Then a photo with Dra. Martha Ana.  She lived in Pacaja Xesic, studied medicine in the capital and now lives in Montellano.

Two more well known staff are Marta and Dra. Nidian Patricia.  Marta is a nurse, who works for Health Talents three days a week and Dra. Nidian comes for two days a week to help with Pap and IVAA screenings.

Many know that I do not do well well having my photo taken but I was very appreciative for their thoughts, wishes and kind words through the day. Yes, it was a HUGE piece of cake and I tried to give parts away.....but was threatened, so I had to do it on the sly! It is good to be back in Guatemala and they remind me of this daily.

Andrea Gains Weight!

About a month ago, Doctora Martha and I were in Chicacao seing patients. It is a fairly new clinic and sometimes, we have fifty patients there.  For those who have been to Montellano, the clinic is held in Baldemar's home.  He is one of our evangelist and his family helps us with the clinic.

About a month ago, we met this very sweet girl. Her name is Andra and this is her grandmother.

 

The story, according to the grandmother is that the mother mother left Andrea at birth.  Yes, there have been stories and some blaming within the family, but I want to remain focused on Andrea and how she can improve.

 

She now is 4 months and has only gained one pound. She has only been receiving the water that rice is cooked with and water that is used to make tortillas. She is underweight but is full of energy!

 

 

This baby needs protein. We went to the pharmacy and got some milk and bottle.  Dra. Marta explained very well how the bottles need to be maintained, to prevent illness.  Hygiene is not something easy, if it is not taught well.

We called Luis and enrolled Andrea in a milk program.

Time has passed and in one month, Andrea has gained 2 pounds!

We will continue to monitor her monthly and see what happens.

 

 

 

Mandatory Fire Ed for Hospital

The other day, we completed another step in becoming a level one hospital.  Fired Education and Safety is common in The States but it is the first time that I have seen it done here.  In this setting, we actually were able to put out fires, that in my opinion, were not safely created............but I am no expert and we had a good time!!

We started with class.

The guy seemed to be knowledgeable. 

Then it was time to go outside to play.

So Rigo was the first up..........look at that perfect body form and stance! I gave him a  #10!!

Then dental had a few chances and I was very impressed with their coolness. They just walked up to the fire and sprayed away.  This is Valentine. He is the only male in the dental area so he is probably use to putting out fires.........just kidding!!  Cool and calm!

Then Naby, with the same composure.............had everything under control.

Darling started the nursing section off and she started out with composure...........

But after that, it was pretty funny.  Javier was up and as you can see, Darling and Marta were cheering him on. 

It was Kevin's turn.  He  ran in and was ready to save the day!

When it was time for more fire........Oscar saturated the smoking barrel and the teacher tosses in a match! Poof!!

The teacher announced that our fire extinguishers were empty, there was a fire and we needed to react quickly!  Javier, with his long legs, takes off running for the extinguisher in the maintenance area.  Kevin dashes for the extinguisher in the dining hall............the applauding and screaming keeps the guys motivated in their race.......as Kevin returns first! Darling directing him as he passes her.

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Yes, it was a good class and it gave every person a chance for hands on.  I think it was a good practice and yet I pray, that we never have to do it for real.

Clinic Lift at Ezell

If we were a plastic surgeon's office, you would think we are having a facelift.  Health Talents International is closing in on fifty years, so it is time.  We are in the process of a clinic-lift.

The last construction has been completed.

It was slow to get started.

But eventually, it started taking shape.

Piece by piece.

 Some serious landscape moving was needed to link it into the water treatment plant.

This rock was lifted so the drainage pipes could be connected.

Final product!!

 Many of the tall coconut trees have been cut down.

 

 

The trees have been replace by a smaller version.

 

 

The earthquake that we had several months ago, damaged the top two apartments. It was decided to remove to heavy roof and replace it with something of lesser weight. Lorenzo and his son working.

 

Yes, piece by piece.

 Where is the clean up crew??

Of course watching these guys get close to the edge made me a little nervous. I am not into trauma.

There are three huge projects but we are making it.  The progress will eventually get us to have a license for a level one hospital.  When this has been achieved, we will begin having surgical clinics again.  It is a dream that we are all looking forward to.