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March 19, 2008 - Our team of Rotarians and a few friends spent last week in and around La Entrada, Honduras. As we assessed the conditions and put together plans to furnish a blood analysis lab for the Manos Amigos medical and dental clinic, we learned heaps about the local community and how we can best help people there help themselves.
We visited several medical clinics, a public health center, the nearest hospital (an hour and a half's drive away, so it's inaccessible for so many who don't have a vehicle and can't afford a taxi), a working blood analysis lab, a burn clinic and other facilities. We also met with La Entrada's newly forming chamber of commerce, checked out the first public library in the area (started last year by a Unionville High School student who realized that there wasn't a single book in the town!), a bakery (that is providing welcome jobs for local people) and headed up into the barrio - a poor neighborhood served by the clinic - where people were friendly and compassionate. If a picture paints a thousand words, perhaps the photos below will tell the story.
La Entrada is a community of about 25,000 people, in which greater than 90 percent of the population lives in poverty. For those who have jobs, yearly income is less than $1,000 U.S. Ninety-five percent of homes lack complete plumbing and illiteracy is rampant. So as you can imagine, health conditions resulting from lack of sanitation, potable water and education are problematic. The area is getting some attention, however, from groups such as Habitat for Humanity, Rotary, and churches. And the local people are working hard to learn how to raise the standard of living in their own area - the chamber of commerce asked to meet with us to learn how a community might raise funds and rally around the project of buying a fire truck! We hope to have blood and urine analysis equipment to the clinic in time for the opening of the new Manos Amigos facility.
All in all, it was a great trip. If the people there got as much out of the visit as we did, it was invaluable.
The mountains of Honduras.
Cristina Combee holds a child at an orphanage.
Idna Corbett, member of the West Chester Sunrise Rotary Club and native of Honduras, greeted us at the airport and, together with her family, hosted us on Sunday night.
A patient waits in the doorway of the clinic.
Patients arrive at clinic at 6:30 a.m. for the chance to get help.
Elizabeth Metzker translates for two Rotarians at the site of the new Manos Amigos clinic.
Visiting a blood lab to learn about possibilities.
 
 
At the Barrio de Chalmeca - a neighborhood served by Manos Amigos clinic.
 
At the nearest hospital in Santa Rosa de Copan.
Rotarians from Santa Rosa de Copan and West Chester in front of a maternity shelter aided by Rotary.
Cristina translates for Pete and Narciso during a banner exchange.
Text and Photos provided by Rotarian Carol Metzker.
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