|
|
The Guatemala Healing Hands Foundation October 18 - 28, 2007 Mission Team
Surgeons
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mission StatementThe Guatemala Healing Hands Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicatedto improving the quality and availability of health care in Guatemala through education, surgery, and therapy. Specializing in the treatment of congenital and hand injuries, we aim to reach Guatemalan children and adults through medical missions led by a team of specialized and skilled surgeons, therapists, and volunteers.
We have returned from our 2007 mission!
Our dedicated 2007 team has returned from the Guatemala Healing Hands Foundation 2007 Medical Mission. To say that we had an incredible, inspiring, and enlightening time would be an understatement. Not only did we reach out to the children, parents, students, therapists and doctors of this colorful country, but they themselves opened our eyes to a world of love, hope, and strength. Meeting the families of Guatemala and being able to be a part of their healing process was beyond exciting. The new confidence we witnessed in their eyes is an image we won’t soon forget. We urge you to take a moment and view our 2007 picture gallery. Our goal is to not only promote the best in hand care and education, but to also encourage global awareness and responsibility.
Click here for more info and pictures about our 2007 mission and the children we met
Donation and sponsorship opportunities - download document here
GHHF welcomes donations of any size! Your donation will help GHHF reach more children and adults who need our help. Not to mention, it's tax deductible. Please feel free to contact us to request 501-c3 documentation.
Click Here To Make A Donation.
 
|
Facts:
About Guatemala
-
 Population: 12.2 Million 55% Mestizo-Ladino 43% Maya indigenous 2% others
- Area: total: 108,890 sq km (42,042 square miles)
- land: 108,430 sq km
- Water: 460 sq km
- Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Tennessee
- Highest Pt: Volcano Tajumulco, 13,846 ft. (4,220m)
33 towering volcanoes in all
- Money: The Quetzal. About 8 Quetzales to 1 US dollar.
- Languages: Spanish and 21 Amerindian Languages
- Religion: Roman Catholic and Maya Beliefs
- Government: Democratic
- Weather: Dry season is October – May
- Climate: tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
- Telephones: main lines in use: 1,132,100 (2004)
- Mobile cellular: 3,168,300 (2004)
- Literacy rate: 71% (2003 est.)
- Agriculture - products: sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, metals, rubber, tourism
- Industries: sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum
- 42% of the population of Guatemala is under 14 years old, 3% are over 65.
- 37% of its population fortunate enough to have access to electricity.
- 75% Population below poverty line (2004 est.)
“I wanted to thank you (Dr. Freeland) in my name and on behalf of all the people who are going to get a better chance of recovery and for opening a whole new world for hand therapy in Guatemala… all the knowledge I get in (the US) is going to go right back to my people and all is possible because of you. No words can express how thankful I am, indeed I hope my work will show it to you… this is a great journey in the revolution of hand therapy in Guatemala, thank you so much for letting me be part of it.”
Ileana Aguilar PT, 2005 Freeland Award Recipient
“It was the most amazing and most fulfilling experience of my life. They (Guatemalan’s) were just grateful for the help. Everyone hugs you, kisses you, they trust you will help them… A lot of what we learned you cannot write down on paper. They lead completely different lives than you do. It takes you down to what health care should be, which is one person helping another.” - Rebecca von der Heyde, MA OTR CHT, assistant professor of Occupational Therapy at Maryville University, 2005 and 2006 Volunteer
“While visiting Guatemala, I was rather surprised how friendly the people of were. Almost everyone I met in the country was poor, but they were rich with compassion and I could tell that what our mission group was doing for them was truly making an impact on their life. Even if we couldn’t do much to support them, they understood that we cared and wanted to improve their lives. I think, by their loving and kind attitude, they improved our lives, too.” Katie Spitzmueller, 11th Grade and 2006 Volunteer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Henry Backe MD 