is an outreach and community building program. Each year, members of the Diocese of Central New York join with members of our companion diocese of El Salvador. Together, they provide sustainable health care in about 9 remote villages.
This year marked a record breaking number of vision patients as well as the introduction of our new veterinary program.
The 2011 "Mission of Miracles" trip to El Salvador was another successful mission and an inspiring experience for this year's team. The group who traveled consisted of registered nurses, nurse practitioners, lay assistants, translators, two professors from SUNY IT and the provost from SUNY IT. Many of the nurses gained clinical hours for their Community Health program.
The program this year was entirely a public health initiative. . The week long health campaign consisted of training local health promoters, health promotion workshops for parents and community leaders, visits to local schools, mental health counseling, and home visits. The transporting of medications had to be postponed due to the delayed process of approval by the Ministry of Health. When the approval process is finalized, the supplies will be sent to the Diocese of El Salvador for their use throughout the year.
Specifically, 24 village health promoters "graduated" from a program designed by the SUNY IT students. Workshops on CPR, first aid, hypertension, diabetes, and tuberculosis were attended by the promoters as well as parents and community leaders. Flip charts were used and laminated pocket cards were handed out to all the graduates.
In addition, 300 children throughout the week were taught dental hygiene and hand washing. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, sunglasses, and flip flops were distributed to each school. Children were entertained with outdoor games and even nail polishing. A mental health group met each day with individuals for counseling. This group also spoke to local priests and teachers on various topics, including bullying.
Also, teams visited 95 homes throughout the week to speak with families in order to assess both health needs and community resources. The groups who visited the homes were humbled by the outpouring of hospitality. Rich data was accumulated and will be compiled by the SUNY IT students.
It was a privilege, as always, to have been invited by the Episcopal Diocese of El Salvador to visit the villages, reconnect with friends, and witness such a holy life.
Many of this year's team members spoke of the mission as having changed their lives. Although we strive to make even a small change in the lives of the poor we visit, I agree that, again, my own life was transformed by this mission.
In Peace,
Bonnie Adams
