UNITED HEARTS FOR HEALTH

United Hearts for Health

WINTER 2012 A health partnership linking Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to Rosita, Nicaragua

WINTER 2012
BEHIND THE SCENES SUPPORT FOR UNITED HEARTS FOR HEALTH
Many of you have heard or read about Casa Materna, built in Rosita a few years ago to make it possible for expectant mothers from the rural communities to come to Rosita before they are in labor but close to their due date. It offers them a place to stay that is near the Rosita Hospital and medical personnel. This puts them and their babies in a safer, cleaner environment to give both of them their best chance for healthy deliveries. But, unlike many of our relatives who are showered with gifts at the birth of a new baby, these new moms often have very few belongings. Knowing of this need and looking for a project to work on with my own Marlene Sheard, mother of Gail mother, we started to put together baby layettes for the new moms. My Tomkowiak, packs a bag for a mom has memory loss, and it is difficult to choose projects that she is able to layette. help with, but this one has been great. Who can pick up those cute little baby outfits without smiling and thinking about the joy a new baby brings? The layettes consist of infant gowns, onsies or baby shirts, wash cloth and small towel, receiving blankets, diapers (both with pins and a few disposable), baby quilt, small toy, and small bottles of lotion and baby wash. And, as God would have it, this little project has had a ripple effect. My other family members are often on the lookout for baby clothes. I work at Nazareth Court and Center with the retired Sisters of St. Agnes and a group of wonderful co-workers, many of whom have also joined in to help. Some have watched the rummage sales and store sales and brought contributions. Sr. Rose Andr Miller makes small quilts; another, Sr. Cecile Marie Kees, has gotten some of the other sisters sewing and enlisted the help of her biological sisters, Dorothy Brandt and Ruth Uitenbroek, to make receiving blankets, diapers, and infant gowns. Every so often, I find a package at my office door with more items for the layette. Others have helped to assemble all of the regalos (gifts) into bags, which is often a challenge since the bags are also donated and can Local women from Rosita display the layettes be of various types and sizes.
they have been given.

(continued on page 2)

Kathy Simon loads layettes made by Holy Family Christian Women.

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WINTER 2012

Organized by Kathy Simon, the Christian Womens group of Holy Family Parish has also joined the effort. They are putting together layettes, sewing the bags and diapers, and purchasing other supplies. So our numbers continue to grow. We still fall short of the quantity that would be needed for everyone to have a layette, but every year the numbers grow as do the prayerful thoughts and good wishes to the new babies and their moms. ~Gail Tomkowiak, RN

CASA SCHLAEFER 2012

Casa Schlaefer, a building in Rosita owned by the Vicariate of Bluefields, Nicaragua, was remodeled in 2006 and completed in 2007 under the direction of Jack Shanahan, project manager from Fond du Lac, and Sr. Marise Meis and Arely Garcia, project managers in Rosita. The funds used to remodel the building were raised in the Fond du Lac County community with donations from individuals, organizations, churches, the Holy Family Catholic community, and United Hearts for Health. The purpose of renovations was to make a structurally sound, habitable building for the Santa Rosa Parish community and for the use of members of the Fond du Lac Community traveling to Rosita. Because the Fond du Lac community was so supportive of the remodeling project, United Hearts for Health would like to update readers on how Casa Schlaefer is being utilized. Every year since 2007, UHH has sent medical missionaries to Rosita. Because the medical mission groups work very hard in the rural clinics and at the Rosita hospital, they appreciate a good nights sleep, a shower, and a comfortable environment. With six bedrooms, the Casa can accommodate 12 people. Ceiling fans and high ceilings help everyone deal with hot, humid temperatures. There are three bathrooms with showers that sometimes have Arely Garcia and granddaughters count UHH warm water. A fairly modern kitchen with a medications in the central room of Casa Schlaefer microwave and stove donated by Silica Hardware in Fond du Lac makes meal preparation possible. In the center of the bedrooms is a large gathering room, tiled in white. Two beautiful long wooden tables donated by Chico Martinez, newly elected mayor of Rosita, provide a place where breakfast is eaten and meetings are held. Sr. Marise Meis reports that since Casa Schlaefer was remodeled, it has opened its doors to many people. When appropriate, those who use Casa Schlaefer pay to stay there. This money is used to cover the electric bill, maintenance, and a night watchman, making the building self-sufficient. Dr. Caridad Herrera from the Bluefields Vicariate Office of Health and her team always stay at Casa Schlaefer when they are visiting the east coast of Nicaragua. In July of 2012, a group of university students, missionaries from Puerto Rico, and another group from El Salvador stayed there before and after their mission journeys to rural communities. Last spring, St. Marys Springs Academy high school students traveled to Rosita and were able to be housed at Casa Schlaefer.

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In August, members of Santa Rosa Parish held meetings in the Casa, and on August 29th, an all-night vigil was held there. Usually every month, there are several different groups that have meetings or workshops in the facility. Some of these groups have been Accion Medica Cristiana; Saint Luke Foundation, an organization for development; MINED, the Ministry of Education; and Nora Astorga Womens Group. The purpose of the remodeling of Casa Schlaefer has been realized. It gives members of UHH a place to stay in Rosita, and it is being utilized by Santa Rosa Parish, the Rosita community, and others traveling to Rosita, while the maintenance, electricity, and staff are paid for by the people who use the building. Thank you Fond du Lac Community. ~Sr. Marise Meis and Barbara Lent

THE 2013 MISSION TRIP

The next mission trip for United Hearts for Health is scheduled to leave for Rosita in January 2013. Team leaders are Marcie Janz and Barbara Zink. Supplies were shipped by container to Managua, Nicaragua, at the end of July and in October. The advance team of Marcie Janz, NP, and translator Flavio Araa will leave on January23rd to unpack medicines and supplies. The rest of the team leaves January 25th : Liz Brachmann, RN; Gina Everson, MD; Gabriela Granado, RN; Lisa Hartman, RN; Tom Reis, MD; Jami Schoenborn, RN; Bill Trager, MD; Barbara Zink, MD; and Michelle Ziegelbauer, RN. They will concentrate their mission work in outlying villages in the area. Please keep this team of dedicated medical professionals in your thoughts and prayers.

ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY METHOD FOR NEWSLETTER

If you are interested in receiving your UHH Newsletter electronically, please let us know by e-mailing your preference to jcappellari@charter.net. Future issues will then be sent to you by e-mail.

United Hearts for Health Mission Statement We propose to join the faith journey of Holy Family Parish in its twinning relationship with Santa Rosa Parish by facilitating a Fond du Lac community effort to assist in raising the standard of healthcare and promoting a more healthy environment in Rosita, Nicaragua, and the surrounding rural areas. This long-term relationship will seek to work in partnership with the people of Rosita, its healthcare and church community and Nicaraguan government, while recognizing the dignity and the many talents of the people we hope to serve.

United Hearts for Health c/o Holy Family Parish 271 Fourth Street Way Fond du Lac, WI 54937

Contact Numbers: (920)923-2446 - M. Janz (920)948-3124 - S. Malin (920)923-0155 - M. Cappellari

Suggestions or comments please E-mail jcappellari@charter.net

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WINTER 2012

S HEART D E T I UN EALTH FOR H

Join U

s!

January 19, 2013, Fond du Lac YMCA 8 a.m. - Noon

The indoor bike riding event for United Hearts for Health that brings out the heart of our state to generate funds for better health in Rosita, Nicaragua. For information, e-mail jcappellari@charter.net or call Mary at (920) 923-0155
Schools and teams (4+ members) must pre-register by January 14th NEW THIS YEAR: ALTERRA SUPER SPIN COFFEE$12 PER POUND; ALTERRA HOT CHOCOLATE$10 A CAN FOR BEFORE-CHRISTMAS DELIVERY, CALL (920) 921-6021

UHH JOINS FORCES WITH ASCENSION LUTHERAN

On June 13, 2012, Ascension Lutheran Church invited United Hearts for Health to join in a fundraising effort to run the concession stand at Buttermilk Creek Park for the opening night Symphonic Band concert. Cathie Aschenbrenner of Ascension Lutheran and Marcie Janz of Holy Family coordinated the event. The two groups worked together serving brats and hamburgers along with an array of homemade desserts prepared by the workers. It was a most successful collaboration. The event raised over $400 for United Hearts for Health. The funds have been used to further the mission work of UHH by helping pay for medicines and supplies for the people of Rosita, Nicaragua.

Cathie Aschenbrenner and Marcie Janz set up food at the concession stand at Buttermilk Park.

Your generosity will help us to continue our work with the people of Rosita to improve their health with medical care, clean water, improved agricultural practices, and medicines and supplies. Thank you.
Please make your check payable to UHH/Holy Family.
Send to: United Hearts for Health, 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac, WI 54937 Name___________________________________ Address__________________________________ __________________________________