Report on Guatemala

Rotarians and family members of SGR (Ken and Barbara Sizemore, Dan and Cindy Strobell, Scott and Janalee Strobell, Phil Hall, Reed Noble and Jess Noble, Lowry Snow and grandson Garrett Hinton, Cindy Loeber and her daughter Holly and granddaughter Dasia, traveled to Guatemala over Memorial Day weekend, and reported today on their successes working with ALDEA (Advancing Local Development thru Empowerment and Action), which means “village” in Spanish.  

Guatemala, about half the size of Utah with a population of more than 15 million residents, has the world’s highest infant mortality rate.  Currently 70 percent of Guatemalans live in poverty and 80 percent of Guatemalan children have stunted growth due to poor nutrition.  In Mayan villages, 858 stoves have been built through this partnership between ALDEA .  50 percent have been funded by SGR.  

“We could work for another 100 years and not be ‘done’,” said Dan Strobell, “but in the history of this project we have ...”

·         cut consumption of wood by 2/3

·         seen a 95% decrease in smoke inhalation

During this year’s trip to Guatemala, members of SGR:

-                distributed about 100 pair of shoes, as well as ribbons and bows

-                pulled between 400-500 teeth in 3 days

-                trained midwives on newborn resuscitation

-                distributed 800 pounds of beans and rice to 150 women who showed up in the town square

Ken Sizemore noted Rotarians also enjoyed some rest and relaxation on black sand beaches and visited a sea turtle reserve.

Rotarians will travel again to Guatemala next year on or around Memorial Day weekend.  For information, see Dan Strobell.