The seventh Amiguitos work team is in Veracruz June 4, 2011  to June 25, 2011 for construction at the Laguna and Tarimoya centers and to hold 8 medical clinics in elementary schools in the poorest neighborhoods of the city.   Click below for the brief updates  from the team during the work trip in Veracruz, Mexico.

SUMMARY
We had a great work trip the month of June 2011.  We have thousands of photos from parcipants which you can see by clicking on the links below (though the sorting is not perfect, you'll get the idea) ... enjoy the photos!

We also had teens from Laguna act as guides for the folks from the USA to learn a little about Veracruz.  There was touring, shopping, lunch at a nice café and some beach time.  That evening a Laguna student in culinary school ("Chef Omar") prepared a special dinner and we had a party.  Omar prepared a similar dinner the second week when another set of guides let tours of Veracruz.  The tours were a great hit and we plan to continue them on future trips
Click here for 190 pictures taken during tours of Veracruz

We had two weeks of medical clinics (and saw over 2000 patients).  This was tough because Mexican customs officials kept our supplies (12 suitcases).  But with hard work, we got the clinics held successfully.  We even had Laguna teens act as artists at two clinics and drew voluteeers.  We have 3 new doctors and they were great! 
Click here for 850 pictures taken during clinics

Between clinic weeks we took an excursion to Orizaba.  We toured the beautiful river front, took in a cultural museum and then climbed 500 steps to the scenic overlook of the city!!!  We also had our guides give commentary on the bus.  Did I mention that the big red bus was always a good time.  We watched movies, listened to music and had lots of fun.
Click here for 130 pictures taken during the excursion

We had a great time!  We made donuts and bread each week at the teen bakery project and played soccer with the Laguna teens a couple times a week in the local recreational soccer league.  That is when Sam sprained his foot (we thought it was broken for a short period of time  but fortunately no).  We had church every week with baptisms and often a welcoming celebration after (with dancing and food).  We had home visits where folks from the USA got to visit a home of one of the Laguna teenagers.  We also had free time to cool off, eat out at local restaurants and count pills and order supplies for our projects.  There was a lot of good times and I want to thank all of the volunteers for their hard work and all the generous sponsors who helped to pay for the supplies used by our teams.  

This is a unique opportunity to get to know people from another culture and to work side by side serving the community. I hope you will join us some time in the future in Mexico.   Thanks again!!

Scroll down to see the blogs written during the trip.

Curtis

Here are  great reflections on the June 2011 trip by the youth team from St. Mary Magdalene, Boulder CO [Construction Week] and by Michele Quinn Miscall, Lakewood CO [Clinic Weeks]:

Reflections on Veracruz
  Michele Quinn Miscall
Click here for Michele's Reflection

Please scroll down to read the daily blogs from the team:

We have a great team for the June 2011 work trip (see photos to the left - ~50 workers!!).     Click here for June 2011 Work-Trip Poster (PDF)

Pill Packing Parties!

Thank you Pill Packers!! 
1May 2011 - Intercession

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15May2011- Saint Mary Magdalene

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Wednesday 25MAY2011 - The Connnection Youth Center

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FRIDAY 3JUN2011 8:00pm Curtis Wrote:

We made it through customs one more time with the medicines.  It was a close call and they had to think about it, make some calls, talk to the bishop who was waiting for us at the airport.  However after a short wait, we were allowed through with no problems.   Thanks for the prayers last night.  Others begin arriving Saturday and construction starts Monday.   

Jesus, Ignatio, Andres ride home from the center on Cookie

Also GREAT news, I saw Ignatio Today and he is able to "pick up the kids school" if he does not walk.  He still is not working.  But he is slowly recovering.   He gave the deepest thanks to all of your for your prayers and support.

Curtis
Click here for more photos

 SATURDAY 4JUN2011 11:00pm  - Curtis wrote:

Bad news, the customs officals held all of our supplies and vitamins for clinics.  Even taking our photo copied papers we use to take medical histories (??!!!!).   Very strange.  There we in a bad mood and just took all the bags.   The bishop is going to start working the offical channels starting Monday.  It will probably take a few working days for the bishop to work through the Mexican maze of officials.  Wow, I thought we were in the clear after the medications got through, but one grumpy official overturned things late Saturday.  My thanks goes out to the youth of St. Mary Magdalene, Boulder Colorado who had to wait extra hours for the details to get worked out and missed participating in the Teen Bakery the next morning as they were exhausted and slept in a little catch up.  Go team fire, team peace, team love, team kisses!!!


Curtis
Click here for more photos

SUNDAY 5JUN2011 6:00pm  - Abbey & Shelly wrote:

iHola! The St. Mary Magdalene (Boulder, CO) Youth Group has successfully navigated the airlines, the weather, and Mexican customs ...and we are here with Amiguitos! We are settling in well to our guest house and are learning to deal with the joint challenges of heat and humidity - quite a new sensation for us Coloradoans - along with the struggles to pull on clothes while sweating profusely and learning to co-habitate with crawling/flyng palmetto bugs. Our first day was with the wonderful children and teens of the Amiguitos Community Center. We met the staff and the youth group leaders and spent the morning playing games, folding paper swans and making paper airplanes, and sharing songs, funny rhymes, and stories with the younger children. The teens were very busy baking for the sale that happened after the mid-afternoon service.

Many of the parents joined their children during the worship and Father Mike Houlik gave the sermon - he spoke for us all when he said this trip would truly make our hearts grow, just as Goldi and Curtis have grown this community in love and fellowship. Tonight, we are joining the teens for a soccer game after we celebrate Goldi and Shelley's joint birthdays today with a fiesta and a pinata!
 
Most of the time we are on foot between our various destinations; seeing the city of Veracruz from this vantage point is very sobering. We walk through several different neighborhoods between our guest house and the Community Center - it's a long-ish walk, but it helps us to see where the children and teens come from and what their lives are like away from Amiguitos. We are learning the customs as fast as we can and loving every minute of it!
 
Tomorrow is our first full work day - wish us well!

Abbey & Shelly
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SUNDAY 5JUN2011 11:30pm  - Curtis wrote:

We had a great soccer match with the USA and Mexico teenagers playing in matches.   Sam make a great stop of the oppositions super-star, but had an injury in the process during the final minutes of the final match.   The first xray showed a possible break, but when the doctor looked at the xray, he was suspicious and took additional xrays to verify that there was no break.  So off to the trama center to have the foot wrapped and now Sam is on 3 days rest before moving on to cruches for the rest of the trip.  He is still helping with pill counting and plans to be on work site later in the week.  Go Sam!  Everyone enjoyed the games (even Sam who was proud of the stop and a very impressive patient through all the Xrays and the disappointment of being put on light duty for a while.

Alex wheels Sam into Xray

Curtis

MONDAY 6JUN2011 11:30pm  - Alex P wrote:
Amiguitos Viaje; dia dos

iBuenos Dias Todos! We have gotten through another day south of the border, losing about 10lbs of sweat in the process. Today was a work day. We got up at 6:45 (ugghh) and after a filling breakfast of delicious scrambled eggs, bacon, and tropical fruit, we hit the road for the walk to the work site. This week we are digging a trench, laying a footer, cutting and bending rebar, and in general preparing for a concrete wall to be poured in the next several weeks. After arriving at the site we had several tasks to accomplish before we could get to work. We set up a medical/equipment/water/shade station, and Leslie and Allie moved a dead dog.

Over the day we cut and bent 50 lengths of rebar, and dug a trench that was 20ft long, 5ft wide, and 5ft deep. Throughout the day, many of the Amiguitos adults and teens helped us work. They came right from school, and worked and their bleached shirts and plaid skirts! After navigating through rural bathrooms and trench cave-ins during the morning, we headed to lunch at the center. Even though it wasn’t as crowded as yesterday, lunch was still a ton of fun. After lunch it was back to the worksite for a final hour of work. While waiting for the final pieces of rebar to be finished, Curtis showed off his dance skills while Bea, Emily, and I sang some American pop songs for our amigos. All in all it was a great day, we learned a lot and are ready for the rest of the week.

Alex P
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TUESDAY 7JUN2011 8:00pm Erika P Wrote:

Aloha! It’s day two for the St. Mary gang and much more dancing
ensued. This time there was some hula and zumba in the V.I.P. lounge.
A lounge that consisted of a tarp folded up in the wheelbarrow all
under a tent. There were a couple of fanners along with a drink bar.
Everyone got to enjoy it although Curtis was very strict about time
limits.

VIP Lounge

As for the work that occurred: We finished cutting and bending all 48
bars of rebar. Everyone agreed that the fastest cutting award had to
go to Jerry. We also finished digging and packing the hole. Tomorrow
we will be putting the rebar in the hole. A side project headed by
Dave that included Meg, Alli, Erika, Augustine and Rodrigo was filling
in a huge pothole on the road. It was a very creative process as we
used plaster, rocks, dirt and gravel. The buses come every 5 minutes
and it was very discouraging to see the bus just recreate the pothole,
but Augustine and Rodrigo created a toll, and every bus driver paid to
cross the newly fixed road.



Work slowed in the later morning as people got tienes hambre y calore!
We scrounged for food from people’s bags and eventually a last resort
group went to buy some chips at a local store. But right when they got
back, we were summoned for food at the Center. We snacked on the way
there while Alejandra showed us the way. This was the first trip for
the group without Alex or Curtis.

After a delicious – albeit delayed - lunch of Taquitos, Mike, Erika
and Emily – and Alex W. translating - went to a house visit. The house
was home to 18 people including around 12 to 15 kids that all went to
the Center. It was an incredible experience hearing them talk about
their jobs and family. They had lived in Veracruz their whole lives
and in that house for 20 years. The craziest part was that they had
never seen snow. Meanwhile, at the worksite, a drunken man came and
danced for the group.

Human "Steamrollers" flatten the leveled ground at the base of the foundation

Today was a hot day – as usual – but also entertaining, satisfying,
and eye opening. We hope that Allison gets well – as she sat out today
sick – and Sam’s ankle improves. Sam and Shelley counted around 15,000 pills so we decided that they did a fair share of work.
Until tomorrow…Adios Amigos!

Thanks!

Erika P
Click here for more photos

Tuesday 14JUN2011 - Michele
There was really a sense of "coming home' for me today.  So many of the kids faces were familiar - they were older but it was still an "amiga/o".  Clinic went really smoothly - I guess year 2 has a lot to do with that.  We saw almost 300 folks in the clinic today.  Hot, sticky, and so very Veracruz!
Thanks for all your prayers and support.
The Mission Team

Tuesday 14June2011 from Kyle
Today was quite productive. More so than the previous day’s at least. Clinic setup went much smoother, the line went faster, and the medicine was delivered much faster. I was; however, a tad bit put out when Mother Michele refused to sign off on my sweeping of a crumbly concrete floor.
At first, when I signed up for this trip, I was a little bit uneasy, having not a clue what was actually waiting in store for me. But, after spending three days in this distressingly impoverished country, it turns out it’s a lot more fun than I thought it would be, and I am having a lot more fun than I expected to.
Hearing everybody talk about how poor these people are, I never brought myself to believe it’s as bad as they said. But after working with these people for two days and seeing the kids freak out over a couple of bouncy balls, I realized that they weren’t exaggerating. It feels phenomenal to be a part of the team that does so much for these people. It’s kind of sad though, that I can’t fully communicate with them because my Spanish isn’t the greatest, even after three years of the class. So far, all is well.
 The heat however, is like living in a volcano (which I am super excited to go see on Saturday), and Paul and I have been reduced to making Scooby Doo noises to keep our sanity. The first night we stayed up until FIVE IN THE MORNING our time. Out fan quite literally sucked more than it blew. It was like trying to put out a five alarm fire with a water pistol.
Overall, my time here in Vera Cruz, Mexico has been pretty darn good. But it’s only been two days and with five days left, there are still many more adventures left to come.

-    Elyk Snillats
(Kyle Stallins)

On Wednesday 15JUN2011 from Emma

Hello friends again , today we had our second to last clinic of the week at a preschool . We served over 138 patients , even bringing in lots of parents as well . I made some new friends today Antonio , Camila , and Carmen . We played with some soccer balls and footballs and had a blast . These three kids were so adorable with their extremely cute faces and adventurous attitudes . I count how many times the moment I set foot outside the pharmacy I was  grabbed by the hand and dragged off to play with some new toy or get pushed on the swings . They reminded me that all work and no play is no fun in any culture . Despite the language difference my friends and I still communicated in the languages of love, play ,and adventure . Preschoolers should be classified in a category all their own for the amount of love for new people they show . These beyond cute faces maybe shy at first but they show you the true beauty of their home and themselves . This just outlines the importance of children in a community , they are our roof growing towards heaven , someone once told me . So take their outstretched tiny hands and let them show you their world . They don't see what we see they see adventures and home . So look through a preschoolers eyes and tell the world what you see . Goodnight world . Love to all .
Emma 

And Also Wednesday 15JUN2011 from Kyle

Today was quite productive. More so than the previous day’s at least. Clinic setup went much smoother, the line went faster, and the medicine was delivered much faster. I was; however, a tad bit put out when Mother Michele refused to sign off on my sweeping of a crumbly concrete floor.
At first, when I signed up for this trip, I was a little bit uneasy, having not a clue what was actually waiting in store for me. But, after spending three days in this distressingly impoverished country, it turns out it’s a lot more fun than I thought it would be, and I am having a lot more fun than I expected to.
Hearing everybody talk about how poor these people are, I never brought myself to believe it’s as bad as they said. But after working with these people for two days and seeing the kids freak out over a couple of bouncy balls, I realized that they weren’t exaggerating. It feels phenomenal to be a part of the team that does so much for these people. It’s kind of sad though, that I can’t fully communicate with them because my Spanish isn’t the greatest, even after three years of the class. So far, all is well.
 The heat however, is like living in a volcano (which I am super excited to go see on Saturday), and Paul and I have been reduced to making Scooby Doo noises to keep our sanity. The first night we stayed up until FIVE IN THE MORNING our time. Out fan quite literally sucked more than it blew. It was like trying to put out a five alarm fire with a water pistol.
Overall, my time here in Vera Cruz, Mexico has been pretty darn good. But it’s only been two days and with five days left, there are still many more adventures left to come.

Elyk Snillats
(Kyle Stallins)

Wendsday 15Jun2011 from Conni
Hola mis amigos! It has been a pleasure working with such amazing people in such
a beautiful environment! Today we were at Jardin Educadora Luz Oliveros Sarmina;
Colonia prediola las lomas in a nice little preschool. Our numbers were fairly
low today, but we did get a lot of small projects done in the meantime. I work
in pharmacy, so we did a lot of pill packing today. With the low numbers, it
opened great opportunities to be able to interact more with the children. We
were able to spend some one on one time with them and it was definitely an
eye-opener for many of us. We had an excellent lunch today! It was soft tacos,
ground beef, cabbage, and salsa verde. My favorite part of the day was
definitely playing fútbol americano with the little 5 year old children. It was
a lot of fun even though we were drenched in sweat afterwards. I do believe the
humidity was up today, because it seemed much warmer than it has been the rest
of the week. I can't complain much, I enjoy spending every moment with the
children and it is absolutely worth every drop of sweat! :] This evening four of
our team members are playing in a game of fútbol, It will be very exciting, we
are hoping for a big win! Tomorrow is the last day of clinic, we will be at
Professor Manuel Medina Miranda Escuela; Colonia La Laguna.
    -Conni

Wendsday 15JUN2011 from Emma
Hello friends again , today we had our second to last clinic of the week at a preschool . We served over 138 patients , even bringing in lots of parents as well . I made some new friends today Antonio , Camila , and Carmen . We played with some soccer balls and footballs and had a blast . These three kids were so adorable with their extremely cute faces and adventurous attitudes . I count how many times the moment I set foot outside the pharmacy I was  grabbed by the hand and dragged off to play with some new toy or get pushed on the swings . They reminded me that all work and no play is no fun in any culture . Despite the language difference my friends and I still communicated in the languages of love, play ,and adventure . Preschoolers should be classified in a category all their own for the amount of love for new people they show . These beyond cute faces maybe shy at first but they show you the true beauty of their home and themselves . This just outlines the importance of children in a community , they are our roof growing towards heaven , someone once told me . So take their outstretched tiny hands and let them show you their world . They don't see what we see they see adventures and home . So look through a preschoolers eyes and tell the world what you see . Goodnight world . Love to all .
Emma 

Thursday 16JUN2011 from Michele
Laguna is really what makes this trip for me.  There is something very special about this place.  Part of it may be that it is the home of Amiguitos.  Part of it may be that a little boy named Christian stole my heart last year.  Part of it may be that the folks who live in this incredible poverty so willingly share what they have with us.  Part of it may be that it is simply one of those places that calls me home.    Whatever it is - La Laguna is what calls me to return to this place.

This visit was no different.  We walked in ....... we have gotten a little soft with taxis....... but we really wanted everyone to feel what this neighborhood is all about.  As we walked into the school there were many "Buenas Dias" and "Holas" exchanged.  Folks are glad to see us and we are glad to see them.

I think Paul even enjoyed this walk - brought back a lot of very good memories for him.





 
Once at the school it was just like last year.  The kids are really incredible. I can't think of anything better than being surrounded by these "ninos".



 
Michele and Conni were the entertainment at lunch.  They convinced us all that one can do the Electric Slide to Mexican music!




 
Kyle came into his own with the Mexican teens.  He and Alejandra found interesting new ways to understand the language barrier.  Mostly they drew silly pictures and shared their understandings in both languages.  Some how they made it work.



 
Our day was filled with kids in  need of doctors.  Our medical team is incredible this year.  We have had at least 4 doctors every day and some days we have had 6!  It has helped the clinics move faster and run much more smoothly....... maybe too because we have had practice..... There is a bit more time to visit with families we met before and catch up.  Emma is visiting with a mom and her baby (that we baptized last year!!)



 

Also on Thursday  16JUN2011from Paul
 (Excerpt from longer entry)
After being confirmed earlier this year, I started to have major questions about my faith. How could I build a better relationship with God? What more could I do for the citizens of this world that would bring me closer to him? But it wasn’t until this summer’s Mexico trip started to get closer and closer that I really gave these ideas a fair amount of thought. Those thoughts were constantly running through my mind, and as the countdown timer on my desk clicked down from months, weeks, and finally to days, something finally snapped into place somewhere in my mind. It wasn’t just about what I could do to get God’s help. Perhaps it was about what I could do for god to provide help for those who really needed it.  Maybe I could somehow find what I was looking for by helping those who don’t have the same opportunity. Maybe this was god’s way of helping me. Instead of making my life better, he wanted me to see that I really don’t have it too bad. Well, I guess I won’t really know. I will just have to see what the rest of this week has in store for me, and play it from there. But for now, as the locals say, “Esta Bien.”
-Paul Clark

Thursday 16JUN2011 from Dana S.
     Conni, Kyle, Alex and I went on a home visit today. We went to the home of the Santiago’s. This is the second home visit for me in as many years. You could see the enjoyment in each of our faces as well as the astonishment of how a life in this part of the world lives as we introduce ourselves to this new family. Fifteen people live in a one room house. The kitchen and the family room are joined in an area where the beds are placed.  We talk as strangers would to each other with Alex interpreting for us. It seems we have the same questions for each other and our answers are similar. For living in 2 different worlds and 2 different ways of life we are very similar in our traditions and ways of life. They are growing vegetables out back on the hill behind their house, and have 2 dogs and 2 cats. There isn’t any work for all but 2 of them, but you wouldn’t know it by the smiles on their faces. They have everything they need; each other.
    -Dana S

Friday 17JUN2011 from Michele

The day started with a trip to the Amiguitos Center.  I want all of you who brought Play-dough that it  was a BIG hit.  The little ones just loved it. It was so much easier to be with the little ones when we were well prepared.  I had no idea Michelle was so talented with play dough creations.




 
The little girl to my right in the photo is Cynthia.  All last trip I tried desperately to get her to tlak to me without any success.  The play dough did it - she loved it!


 



 The gang at the center before we left for our day in Veracruz proper.



 Here we are in the central area of Veracruz.  We had mexican teens from the center as our guides and translators.  They were marvelous.



Paul really got into the Latin look.  Isn't he debonaire?



 
Now I know it looks as if we are on vacation and ------- today was definitely the play day.  We all went swimming in the Gulf of Mexico.  It was warmer than a lot of baths I've taken.  It was great fun for everyone.

Tonight Omar is cooking a fiesta for us.  He is just completing his first year in cooking school so dinner will be a treat!

MM+

Saterday18JUN2011 from Heather
Today was the excursion; we went Orizaba to see the volcano, among other things. On the bus, Curtis brought balloons for the celebration of Dana’s, his daughter, High School graduation. We drew on the balloons before passing them around, since there were lots of artists in the group people drew faces of other people on the balloons, it was very vivacious.
 Later we watched part of “Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows”, it was in Español so only the chamacos, Saul, and Goldi fully understood it, but it was fun nonetheless. Our driver got lost, but it was for the best, because we got to see the volcano up close, we saw it better there than in Orizaba.
When we arrived we went on a walk around town, through the zoo, across a creek, and over a bridge. Here are some pictures of our walk.                                                                         
After that we went to the museum and climbed “Cerro de Borrego” or The 500 steps, which was terribly deceiving because it was 500 steps plus about 3 miles of trail that were never mentioned before we started climbing. In the museum there was a hands-on section of the museum that everyone enjoyed, in it they all laid on a bed of nails. Overall it was a very good day, and one of my personal favorites.
                                                                  Until next time,
Heather

Sunday 19JUN2011 from Michele

Sunday is my most favorite day in La Laguna.  Today we started with the chicos (teens) panderia - bakery.  It was fascinating to watch the process form beginning to end.  It was also hot and hard work.



Omar and Cesar are rolling in the proper manner.
 



Here is Alejandra with some of the finished product.



 Then it was time for church and baptisms - 13 of them!!  Again just incredible.  Sunday is my most favorite day here.  I managed with Alex's help to preach and even got some laughs - big improvement from last year.  Maybe it has something to do with being a more familiar face.



 
What you can't see in the photos is that they have these plastic stools for folks to sit on here.  They are used all over for lots of different things.  Somehow behind the altar were a blue one and a pink one for the 2 clergy this day (blue for boys/pink for girls)  the teens thought they were very funny!!



 After church the entertainment began.  The teens put on a dance show that was very good -



 Then there were the pictures with the kids who were baptized.  That was followed by the distribution of presents.  Vickie - the wooden cars were a BIG hit!  Thanks for thinking of it.  Even the teens got into it - they all wanted the convertibles!



 Here's one crew of cleanup returning the chairs that were borrowed for church.  It is amazing how readily these kids step in and pitch in.  They are kind and generous and helpful always.



 
This is one of the faces of Mexico that I will take home this trip.  Cynthia wouldn't even look at me last year and now - though not chatty - we managed some hellos ........

I am working on "The Faces Of Mexico" - kind of a picture journal for the trip.  My hope is to get it done before I leave.......  The faces here are wonderful as are the people.

It's just Marlene and I now, the rest of the team arrived safely back in Colorado today.  I am sure they are enjoying the change in weather but missing sorely the people they came to love.

Tomorrow it is back to Medical clinics with 1/2 the staff so we will be busy!

MM+

PS Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there and especially to my favorite two - Peter and Nate!

Sunday, 19JUN2011 from Alyson

Sunday was a day to sleep in!  We didn’t go over to the Amuigitos’ Center until 10:00 a.m. to help the teenagers bake.  It was a lot of fun to learn the right way to make rolls a pretty round shape.  A lot of people jumped in to help mix the dough up in the flour bowl – I confess I kept my hands out of the dough making.  I was afraid it would be too messy.   We helped make over 100 rolls for the sandwiches for the fiesta that evening after church.  We also helped make cinnamon rolls, bomba rolls (bread rolls with frosting), horns, and donuts.  The teenagers sell the rolls after church to the parishioners’ for an average price.  They are currently paying back the loan on the oven they purchased, and then they will use the money for the youth group projects.
Church started at 4:00 p.m.  There were twelve baptisms that afternoon.  It was a very important day for the ninos.  It was Father’s Day, and because of all the baptisms’ there was a record number of men attending church – 10!  Curtis made everyone laugh by holding the large fan on the fathers in turns while we waited for the chamacos to get ready to perform some special dances.  The first was a very macho and cool hip hop dance done by Cesar, Alejandra, and Ana.  They were very hip!  Then eight of the older teens did a more traditional dance for us.  It was very fun to watch!
Dinner was served (the bread was delicious, of course) and then the children received some toys and we came home.  It was a very fun day.  Lots of visiting with the Laguna neighbors at church, baking with Jacob the baker, and of course my favorite, lots of babies!!

Alyson
 

Monday 20JUN2011 from Michele


This is really the site of our medical clinic today.  It was at the center in Tarimoya.  I think this is the poorest place I have ever been in.  The center doesn't even have a floor.  It has walls made out of tin and is bolted locked. 



But we managed to set up a medical clinic.  This is the doctor area below and to the right is the pharmacy (which you can't see in this photo).  In these conditions we manage to see 113 folks.
 


Marlene is always great at distributing prescriptions.   She is also by far the best prepared.  Notice the nifty scarf around her neck.  Today was wicked hot - the stickers I had for the kids melted - no joke!  I have never been so hot, so sunburned (yes I wore sunscreen!) with such swollen ankles (and yes I know I am getting old!)



Cesar was practicing the art classes from Amiguitos in December.  I was first up and am thrilled that I have an original "Cesar".  He did a really nice job.
 



Not only was it the hottest day so far, part of my "job" according to Curtis is to create "spectacles" in front of the center.  That is usually Dana's job which he does superbly.  So in this intense heat I won the jumping contest with 42 before I tripped over my own feet.
 




But this is a face that makes it all worth it. Isn't she adorable.
 



The teens from the Amiguitos Center really help out a lot.  This is Eric taking a medical history.  Eric was also the guide assigned to Marlene and I on our Friday in downtown Veracruz.   He was pretty wonderful from carrying my backpack and all our purchases to checking all the money for purchases and change to making sure I didn't get hit by a Mexican taxi - a feat in itself!




I have to say I am more tired than any day yet.  It is probably the accumulation.  But I am grateful for every second of discomfort.  In the midst of the worst poverty I have ever seen were soem really great smiles, a lot of laughter and incredible hospitality.  Lunch was the best yet!  We had all my favorites - and I have a lot of favorites down here.  We had fried plantains, picadas and empanadas (in that order).  All the food was made by a local woman in the neighborhood and in this place the food was 4 star!


 
Adios for hoy!  Hasta manana!

MM+

Monday 20JUN2011 and Tuesday 6/21JUN2011 from Alex

On Monday we went to do the clinic at Tarimoya.  I had not been there before and was not sure I was prepared at all for what I experienced.  I thought I had seen Mexico at its worse in La Laguna.  Because my heart resides in LaLaguna I sort of see past the poverty to the warmth, the smiles, the hospitality, the chamacos, the ninos, and on and on.  I couldn't do that in Tarimoya.  We arrived at the site and at first I didn't think much until the tin gate was opened and there was nothing........ not a wall, not a roof, not a floor ...... nothing but dirt and tin fences.  We have set up clinics in pretty interesting places but this?????  We got to work and Marlene did a great job with her Girl Scout background of getting tarps and tents erected.  Soon we were up and running - it was hard to believe but we did.  It was incredibly hot and humid - the worst I have experienced thus far.  Curtis asked me to out in the street and "make a spectacle of myself"!  Really not the best advise to give  a priest.  I did my best and in that heat and humidity  I managed to win the jump rope contest with 42 consecutive jumps. I do have to tell you that lunch today was the BEST.  One of the local moms cooked fried plantains, picatas and empanadas.  It was absolutely wonderful.  There was tons of food (not usual!) The kids thought that was really great for an old lady!  By the time we returned to the house most of us were not feeling particularly well..... I think is was the heat, the dehydration finally catching up with us.  For the very first time in my life I have swollen ankles!! 

Today was better, not so hot, not so humid and some breaks to go indoors. And lunch was fine but not yesterday!  The school and neighborhood today is much like La Laguna.  The clinic went very smoothly.  The two highlights for me was walking through the neighborhood with Saul inviting folks to the clinic.  This is a neighborhood heavily hit by the hurricane last fall.  The devastation was everywhere.  And in the midst of this were smiles and thanks and unbelievable gratitude.  That is what stands  out the most for me.  This is a palce of unbelievable gratitude.

I have a new nickname as of today too!  I am Nuestra Senora de Limon.  Alejandra named me that partly because I have given her the nickname La Mirada because she looks at me like I am out of it........... and because I love stuff made with limes.  That's the kind of relationships we have with the Mexican teens.  Goldi had done an amazing job down here.  One can't but stand it awe of what she has accomplished. 

Tonight we all feel pretty good.  We're tired and hot abut not like we were last night.  Shortly we will enjoy one of Goldi's great meals and then off to bed for another new adventure tomorrow.
Michele

Tuesday 21JUN2011 - Michele

Tuesday's clinic was in a neighborhood quite similar to La Laguna.  In fact one of the children in the Amiguitos program lives here and we were able to visit his home.  The kids had outside activities where they marched in formation and did dance routines.  They were wonderful to watch!



The outside of this school was painted...... I was told it was by local gangs but the art work is unbelievably good.
 



Heather is one of the volunteers this week.  She is Curtis' niece and is 13.  The Mexican kids thought she was really wonderful.  And asked all kinds of questions about living in America.



Isn't she too cute for words!
 



Here's is our amigo whose home were were welcomed into.  We heard horrific stories of what it was like when the hurricane came though last fall.  It's hard to believe they all survived.
 




Here's their pet "precious".  Yes, he is duck!  and he is their pet = not for eating, just the eggs.  They had lots of poultry type creatures and we were very entertained by him chasing them in the yard!
 




It was a great day!  Not as hot as yesterday and we are all feeling much better. I think yesterday was the wall for many of us.  Today was great!

MM+
 
Wednesday 22JUN2011 from Michele
WHOA!  Record day we served 424 with a staff of 16 plus 5 docs!  Unbelievable......... The pics below are just to give you a hint of it all.  Marlene is official blogger today and I will send her pictures and info later.  We were so busy I only took 22 pictures ALL day!  (i am usually closer to 100) We are all very tired and going out to dinner tonight!
MM+

Thursday 23JUN2011 from Alex

Buenos Tardes Amiguitos,

The final day of clinic.  We had home field advantage today, as we held the final clinic of the two long weeks in our own Centro Comunitario Amiguitos.  It was the perfrect way to end our long journey as the majority of the 206 people who came through were familiar faces.  The day was full of smiles and laughter as all of our friends waited in line and let us explain the medicine to them as if it was our first time to see them ever.  I greatly enjoyed it because it was the first time I had gotten to see them in several days since there has been no progam to go to while we've been working so hard in the clinics, but today was the best of both worlds.  I am very pleased with the way that this (these) team(s) have worked in these past several days.  It is always a pleasant surprise to see us americans working so hard alongside our mexican and ecuadorian friends.  It was truely an amazing honor to work with all of you.  Thank you for spending your hot sweaty summer with us!  Another trip worth writing home about! See you in December Veracruz.

From all of us here with Amiguitos I would like to say thanks for tuning in, we'll see you back in December!!

This is Alex Wait requesting a fly-by!

This message will self destruct in 5...4...3...2...1...BOOM-SHAKA-LAKA!

Thursday 23JUN2011 from Michele
These are the faces of our "amigos".  These are the folks we met last year and will meet again next year.  These are the faces of those we love and those who love us.  Today was the best ever.  I went out again with Saul through the neighborhood but this time it was like walking through a neighborhood I knew.  Folks said "Buenas Dias" even before me!  We had over 200 folks pass through the clinic and it was like a great big family gathering that lasted all day.


Joselyn is the littlest, Guadalupe is the mom and the big sister is Magali.  The brother Raul is also in the program.
 



 David and Annette



 Above is Gloria - isn't she gorgeous!



 
This is Eric and Ana.  We discovered today that Eric is not in school.  At first he said because they didn't have enough room for him.  Then we found out from Goldi that it was because his family did not have the money for public school tuition.  It amounts to about $150.00 American dollars.  So... you guessed it - Eric will be in school come fall and continue in Goldi's program as well.




 Annette again - I find her irresistible.  She thought this coke bottle was the best toy ever.



 Francisco loved the dinosaur (from one of the Happy Meal bags we brought down). 



 Marlene with Luz Maria, the little girl she sponsors down here.



 Here's the group that finished the clinics.  It was really a great end to a wonderful set of clinics.



And finally, this is Dr. Maythe, one of the clinic docs.  She is wonderful and we have found a lovely friendship.

Tomorrow is the last day here for Marlene and I.  We plan to spend the morning at the center with the little ninos.  Take the afternoon to organize for the trip home and then out in downtown Veracruz tomorrow night. 

Friday 24JUN2011 from Curtis

Here are some photos and the statistics from the past two weeks of clinics.  Go team!!
Curtis


Tarimoya


No forms???!!!  Print on demand in the dust and sun


Marlene hands out meds


Heather helps Gerry run triage (Dana, where are you!!???)


Paola saves the day (paper jams, goodbye!!)

Here is a recap of the  week of clinics:
The patients,  perscriptions:

Escuela Emma Godoy-  Colonia Dos Caminos
Monday 13 Jun 2011
234 Patients (207 children, 77 adults)
406 perscriptions (329children, 77 adults)  given.
5 Doctors; 25 on Work Team

Escuela Vincent Lombardo Toledano-   Colonia Las Lomas
Tuesday 14 Jun 2011
301 Patients (267 children, 34 adults)
536 perscriptions (442 children, 94 adults)  given.
  5Doctors; 23 on Work Team

Jardin Educadora Luz Oliveros Sarmina; Col. ??
Wednesday 15 Jun 2011
155 Patients (102 children, 53 adults)
300 perscriptions (145 children, 155 adults)  given.
5 Doctors; 21 on Work Team


Profesor Manuel Medina Miranda Esquela - Colonia La Laguna
Thursday 16 Jun 2011
427 Patients (402 children, 89 adults)
774 perscriptions (685 children,  89 adults)  given.
5 Doctors; 21 on Work Team


TOTALS FOR THE WEEK:
1117 Patients ( 978 children, 139 adults)
2016 perscriptions  ( 1601 children, 415 adults) given.


Centro Communitario Amiguitos
CCA-  Colonia Lomas de Tarimoya
Monday 20 Jun 2011
113 Patients (61 children, 52 adults)
329 perscriptions (140 children, 189 adults)  given.
4 Doctors; 17 on Work Team

Escuela Jose Azueta -   Colonia Predio 3
Tuesday 21 Jun 2011
228 Patients (159 children, 69 adults)
480 perscriptions (350 children, 130 adults)  given.
5 Doctors; 16 on Work Team

Escuela Heroes del 21 de Abril-  Colonia Ampoas
Wednesday 22 Jun 2011
420 Patients (332 children, 88 adults)
911 perscriptions (630 children, 281 adults)  given.
 5 Doctors; 16 on Work Team

Centro Communitario Amiguitos
CCA-  Colonia La Laguna
Thursday 23 Jun 2011
203 Patients (106 children, 97 adults)
615 perscriptions (254 children, 361 adults)  given.
 4 Doctors; 15 on Work Team


 TOTALS FOR THE WEEK:
964 Patients ( 658 children, 306 adults)
2335 perscriptions  (1374 children, 961 adults) given.

GRAND TOTALS FOR THE 2 WEEKS:
2081 Patients ( 1636 children, 445 adults)
4351 perscriptions  (2975 children, 961 adults) given.