San Raymundo Medical Missions
Refuge International’s Medical Mission trips to San Raymundo, Guatemala provide life-changing healthcare for the locals and life-changing experiences for volunteers.
The San Raymundo municipality is located in the highlands just one hour northwest of Guatemala City. The struggles of poverty and the environment bring difficult challenges to the people of this rural area and negatively affect the health and well-being of its primarily indigenous population.
Our groups of medical mission volunteers—physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, surgeons, nurses, translators, pharmacy staff, construction workers, and other ancillary personnel—operate a week-long clinic in a free-standing hospital in Llano de la Virgen.
Upcoming Trips to San Raymundo
In the fall of 1998, Hurricane Mitch, a Category 5 storm, dropped a record 75 inches of rain in the span of six days over much of Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras. Mitch, the second deadliest hurricane to ever hit the Atlantic, caused catastrophic flooding throughout the region. In Guatemala, hundreds were killed or missing and nearly a million left homeless by wind, water or mudslides.
Dr. Tim Trone was in the San Raymundo area shortly after Hurricane Mitch and realized the overwhelming medical needs there. Upon his return, Dr. Trone’s passion to help the residents of San Raymundo caught on and the First Baptist Church of Texarkana raised the funds to construct a hospital in Llano de la Virgen (a nearby community) which opened in 2000. The hospital is owned and managed by a committee of local residents who facilitate visiting international medical mission teams.
Refuge International brought it’s first medical missions team to San Raymundo in 2003 and has performed more than 3,000 surgical procedures and countless clinic consults since then. Due to this long-standing collaboration and consistent returns, our mission teams have established a well-respected reputation. Patients travel from all over the country and even Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador to receive life-changing care from the our teams. The strength and dedication of our volunteer groups continue to elevate the level of care available in Guatemala. Consider joining us on an upcoming medical mission trip to San Raymundo, Guatemala. If you are unable to join us on a trip, you can still help by giving towards sponsoring a volunteer.
The Women’s Health Medical Mission
Indigenous women are the most marginalized in Guatemala.
Women rarely participate in the community decision-making processes or in the political sphere and continuously struggle to affirm their rights.
Significantly poorer than men and with limited access to education and health services, women often suffer high malnutrition and maternal mortality rates.
Refuge International has become keenly aware of the inequality of indigenous women during the 13 years we have been working in Guatemala. Debra Lehr, a certified midwife and Nurse Practitioner, traveled many times with Refuge International and saw first-hand the struggles of Guatemalan women. Dr. Laura Fortner, an OB/GYN, also witnessed the need of these women. In 2014, these two women, along with the leaders of Refuge International, made a decision to hold a clinic week focused solely on providing healthcare to women.
In April 2016, the first-ever Women’s Health Medical Mission was held in San Raymundo. Refuge International continues this annual tradition every May.
“Be The Change You Want See In The World” – Mahatma Gandhi
Volunteer Scot Leatherwood and the Bomberos (EMS) of San Raymundo
A single trip became a long-term relationship that brought medical training and supplies to San Raymundo’s dedicated first responders.
In 2012, I was introduced to Refuge International by Joy Gring. Little did I know how much my perspective on life would change after that. I went on my first medical mission trip to San Raymundo, Guatemala in August 2012. After that first trip, you could say I was “hooked” on working in San Raymundo. Although Guatemala wasn’t my first medical mission trip, it would soon become part of me. After that first trip, I knew that I would be headed back to Guatemala soon. I have now been on every medical mission trip to San Raymundo since the first one in August 2012.
In March 2015, I was introduced to the Bomberos of San Raymundo . As I am a Paramedic, it was only natural that I start a relationship with them also. I have been an EMS educator for over 20 years, but I was extremely nervous in meeting the Bomberos for the first time. I had no idea what to expect from them or what their training was. As they walked up to the clinic, I was blown away, not only because of how sharp they looked, but you could see the pride they had in their service and the community they serve. You don’t even see that in a lot of EMS Services in the USA. I knew then that this was going to be an amazing meeting.
We began by getting to know each other and me learning about the training levels that they have in Guatemala. I found out quickly, that I was probably going to learn a lot more from them than they would from me. Once introductions were made, I asked about the type of medical equipment and supplies they had, it was at that point, I found out that they literally have nothing. Their Ambulance is a van that they converted (the van was donated by Refuge International) and they had a cot. That was it. They had nothing else to work with. So now comes the big issue: how do I help them with training when they have nothing? You go back to basics and what EMS was formed with—ingenuity and know how.
We took cardboard boxes and made splints and cervical collars, sheets and pillowcases for bandages. We trained on trauma, which is what they treat the most in their area. I truly felt as though I stepped back in time 20 years when I started in EMS. Only difference is, the Bomberos had the training and knowledge for so much more. The potential of what they could accomplish was only limited by their supplies. Nancy Neuman (San Raymundo Mission Trip Leader) and I promised them that not only would I continue training with them, but that we would work on getting them supplies that were very much needed.
August, I traveled back to San Raymundo, this time with a lot of extra medical supplies and equipment with me. When the Bomberos arrived, it was like Christmas morning. Equipment that they would never be able to obtain was sitting in front of them. Cardiac monitors, portable suction, bandages, intubation equipment, training DVD’s in Spanish, and a laptop computer to use for the training. I’m really not sure who was more excited, them or me. We spent the rest of the day training on the new equipment. It was a great day of training for them and me.
A couple days later, I was given a huge surprise and honor. The Bomberos came back out to the clinic, made me an official member of their service team, and presented me with a uniform and a certificate of appreciation. I will gladly admit that I was so honored and touched that I shed a few tears. This was a big deal for me. I am looking forward to a continued partnership with the Bomberos, knowing that I have the support of not only Refuge International, but of EMS services around North America.
— Scot Leatherwood
