San Jose del Negrito is a busy place and we are thriving thanks to you and your financial support!
Dr Tania Castillo, our Shoulder to Shoulder (STS) Doctor, has returned to working with us for over a year now. She is bright, compassionate and very capable. The community loves her and the Health Committee is very pleased with Dr. Castillo’s work. Currently, her job includes; seeing patients 5 days/week, managing a growing dental program (yes, we now have a part-time dentist as of November of 2011) and leading a feeding study that includes 800 children (between the ages of 6 mo. to 7 yrs.) whom are receiving a high-quality supplement everyday for a year. Dr. Castillo is excited about providing extra care for the people and improving the health and wellness of San Jose del Negrito.
The feeding study is sponsored by the Mathile Institute and allows us to feed 500 additional children each day. This is something we could not afford to do, previously, in any of the villages we serve near San Jose. The product, Chispuditos, could become an affordable supplement in Central America. It is our hope that this additional nutrition will decrease and prevent malnutrition, and the long-term damage malnutrition has on children. Dr. Lorenkis Osorio is the latest edition to our medical staff in San Jose. She is a locally trained and skilled dentist whom works 15 hours/week in San Jose. She enjoys the work and feels that she is really helping people. Dr. Osorio is busy from dawn-to-dusk as there has never been a local dental care service available in San Jose.
Work continues daily at the STS Health center and is even more-efficient now that our long-time Registered Nurse, Carmen Meza, is back after maternity leave. Carmen continues to work full-time and is able to comfortably stay in the apartment built for her and Dr. Castillo within the original clinic building. It is a nice and private space for them both to relax and sleep when the day is done. They feel more independent and more at home in the community with this newly found privacy.
The Health Committee has decided to continue work on water quality and household sewage treatment for this year. There is still much work to be done and educational deeds to be accomplished in this realm. We continue to be thankful for the privilege of working with such a dedicated, gracious and hard-working set of partners. We are blessed, and together, we are truly helping the people of San Jose del Negrito have a chance to live healthier lives.
Thank you again for your support of Shoulder to Shoulder Pittsburgh/San Jose!
Warmest regards,
Mark Meyer, MD