United Hearts for Health

A health partnership linking Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to Rosita, Nicaragua Online edition published at www.fdlunitedheartsforhealth.org

SPRING 2012

FILTRON CLAY POTS BOOST THE HEALTH OF USERS

The Filtron Clay Pot has become very popular in Rosita according to Arely Garcia, Coordinator of the Filtron Program. As we (Barbara and John Lent, Flavio Araa and Arely Garcia) toured the barrios (neighborhoods) during the United Hearts for Health mission trip in February, several people stopped us and asked if they could receive a Filtron. Every family that we visited stated over and over how much healthier the children and adults were after drinking the clean water from the Filtrons. During the mission trip, we also met to discuss the status of the Filtron program. Arely again stressed that there are qualifications that a family must meet in order to receive a Filtron from United Hearts for Health: a family must have two or more children, must not have a government job and must agree to live in the barrio for a year after receiving a Filtron. The family must also agree to receive instructions on how to clean the Filtron and allow Arely to come into their home and inspect the Filtron several times a year.

A woman from Rosita drinks clean water produced by the Filtron clay pot shown.

The possibility of starting a Filtron business in Rosita was also discussed with Arely. She was very much interested and will visit Potters for Peace when she travels to Managua to buy some medical equipment for the hospital. Potters for Peace is a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Managua that will teach people how to produce the Filtrons and will send consultants to an area to help set up the business. Having a production company in Rosita would save all the costs to transport the Filtrons from Managua, and people who we able to afford to buy the Filtrons could then purchase them locally for $28. At present, 264 families in Rosita have Filtrons in their homes because of the generosity of Fond du Lac Morning Rotary and some individual members of Fond du Lac Noon Rotary. We all enjoyed walking through the barrios and visiting the families in their homes. Barbara Lent, RN

A mother and her four children with a Filtron clay pot in the background.

United Hearts for Health

Spring 2012

MY FIRST MISSIONARY EXPERIENCE

My first missionary experience was the United Hearts for Health trip to Rosita, Nicaragua, in February, and it was truly a humbling one. It is hard to believe that just a short five-hour flight from home lies such poverty. During my week in Rosita, there were a couple of experiences that will always stick with me. The first was landing in Rosita in a field on a dirt landing strip where we were greeted by friendly faces from home. Another was seeing a grandmother with tears in her eyes holding a twoweek-old, 3 pound baby whose mother died after giving birth. At one point four men carried a pregnant woman on a hammock for one hour through fields which displays the concern they have for one another and the well-being of the community.

The local people came either by foot or on horseback to wait in long lines to be seen at the clinics. It is comforting to know that we can make their lives a little better, even if only for a small part of a day. I will continue to keep them in my prayers. I feel privileged to have worked with an extraordinary group of caring, dedicated professionals who so unselfishly gave of their time and talents. I look forward to returning. Chris Rach, RN

Chris Rach with a patient and her mother.

NEW FACES AT SANTA ROSA PARISH

During the recent United Hearts for Health mission trip to Rosita, we found new faces in charge of Santa Rosa Parish. Father Edgardo Antonio Rodriguez, Pastor, and Father Jos Tomas Hernandez Najarro are diocesan priests from El Salvador who now staff Santa Rosa Parish. Father Edgardo has been a priest for eighteen years while Father Jos Tomas was ordained in July 2011 and came to Rosita in December. In my interview with Father Tomas, he discussed his parish work as well as goals for the Santa Rosa Parish. During the school year, which began in February 2012, Father Tomas had plans to teach religion and music classes and possibly develop music groups. Santa Rosa Parish consists of the Catholics in the Rosita community as well as 73 rural areassome quite remote. A main task for both priests is to reach Catholics in all these areas, some without churches. In communities where a church does exist, 75% of the buildings are inneed of major repairs. Thus, services may be held in any home or building available. It may take up to two days to walk to a rural community from a main road, unless a horse is available for transport. A priest is also dependant on the hospitality of the community for accommodations. The number of Catholics in the Santa Rosa parish is unknown. Baptismal and marriage records are kept, but no church census has been taken, nor has the country of Nicaragua had a census for many years. Goals for the parish, according to Father Tomas, include the building of a central parish office which in the future will accommodate the up to 150 Catechists who come to Rosita from rural areas for instruction. These Catechists now rely on friends for accommodations or simply sleep outdoors. The financial responsibility for such a project belongs to the parish which is now looking for assistance in the form of grants and donations. Father Jos Tomas stated he was still adjusting to Rosita. There are distinct cultural differences between El Salvador and Nicaragua, and the economic situation is better in his home country. He knows, however, that his reason for becoming a priest, to serve the poor, is being fulfilled. He is serving the poorest area in the poorest country of the Western Hemisphere.
Pictured standing are Marcie Janz, Fr. Jos Tomas Hernandez Najarro, and Barbara Lent. Seated are Fr. Edgardo Antonio Rodriguez, Pastor, and Sr. Celia, RN.

UHH members and donors are asked to keep both priests in their prayers.

Marcie Janz, ANP

United Hearts for Health

Spring 2012

A COMPUTER HELPS THE DIOCESE OF BLUEFIELDS, NICARAGUA

Most of us take our computers for granted, and we often wonder how we got along without them in the past. Such is not the case in Rosita. The recent donation of a laptop computer by United Hearts for Health member Dr. Thomas Ries and his wife Marilyn to Dr. Caridad Herrera will provide her with muchneeded assistance in her role as the Coordinator of Health for the Vicariate (diocese) of Bluefields, Nicaragua. Dr. Caridad, a former hospital Medical Director, is charged with the oversight of education and health issues in the Vicariate. She provides education and training on nutrition, AIDS, and other types of health issues to health workers, midwives, and lay people of the various communities in the Vicariate. She also serves as liaison between medical mission groups coming into the Vicariate and the Ministry of Health of Nicaragua.

The area of the Vicariate of Bluefields, which encompasses the entire Atlantic Coast, numbers about 4,000 communities. The area is predominately jungle. Thirty-one percent of the population are Catholic, thirty-five percent are Moravian, and the remainder are of various other Protestant denominations. The health issues are numerous, and the governments medical services sparse. Dr. Caridads role involves much travel. Having a laptop will give her a more efficient method of training as well as a means of basic data collection to help her identify and meet the needs of those residing in this large territory. Marcie Janz, ANP

Marcie Janz talking with Dr. Caridad Herrara, recipient of the laptop computer donated by Dr. Tom and Marilyn Ries.

Alternative Delivery Method for Newsletter

If you are interested in receiving future UHH Newsletters electronically, please let us know by e-mailing your preference to jcappellari@charter.net. Future issues will then be sent to you in PDF format as an attachment to your 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 E-mail: unitedheartsforhealth@gmail.com Website: fdlunitedheartsforhealth.org At this site you can find the web edition of this Newsletter and other information about UHH programs.

United Hearts for Health

Spring 2012

SUPER DAY FOR SUPER SPIN 2012

Super Spin 2012 was our eighth annual indoor cycling fundraiser for United Hearts for Health held at the Fond du Lac YMCA on January 21. We had more riders then ever 300 total who raised $15,000. As one of the medical missionaries traveling to Rosita, I am very thankful for everybodys help in making Super Spin a success. We are able to use the money raised to bring medicine and supplies to distribute to patients in Rosita, as well as replenish the emergency fund to help purchase medicine and to provide transportation of patients to larger medical centers. The funds are also used to support UHHs agricultural initiative. The team winner for fundraising this year was Action Reporter Media and friends. Team Captain Jen Memmel and thirty-one team members were a very spirited addition to our Super Spin event. The school team winner was Rosenow Elementary led by Mary Williams, who brought along fifty team members. The students carried weighted buckets on a bamboo pole in gym class to simulate a child carrying water from the river back home to have water for the day. Top adult fundraiser was Father Vic Capriolo, and top youth fundraiser was Emmit Kuphal. They both spent most of the day riding bikes to help us out. Thank you.
A great turnout for Super Spin 2012

St Marys Springs and Rosenow students wrote over 750 heartfelt wishes (valentines) that were distributed to students in Rosita in February. The students in Rosita really enjoy receiving these valentines. As a member of the medical mission group that has gone to Rosita for the past five years, I would like to say thank you to everybody who helped make Super Spin 2012 a huge success and raised money Rosenow Elementary School shows its team spirit at Super Spin 2012 so that we can take care of the very poor people of Rosita and the surrounding rural areas Barbara Zink, MD THANK YOU TO SUPER SPIN 2012 SPONSORS
The Fond du Lac YMCA, Attitude Sports, Grande Cheese, Burke, Timex, Dominos Pizza, Consultants Laboratory (Member of Agnesia n Healthcare), Model Cleaners, Jimmy Johns, Flyway Signs & Graphics, Family Video, Graphic Center, Botanicals Floral Studio, Hoppers All Star Trophy, B-104, Next Media, 96.1 TCX, AM 1170, Faris Gourmet Popcorn, Record Entertainment DJ Service, KFIZ, K107, Sunset Supper Club, Kids 'B Fit, Team Sports, Holy Family Catholic Community, Fond du Lac Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Help United Hearts for Health carry on its mission for the people of Rosita. Your continued generosity will make this possible. We thank you and the people of Rosita 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___________________________________

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United Hearts for Health

Spring 2012

COMFORT DOLLS FOR THE CHILDREN

Smiles were plentiful on the faces of the children of Rosita who received the knitted dolls prepared by the Spillman Library Knitting Group. This group of seven women knitted more than 200 Comfort Dolls to be taken on the recent United Hearts for Health medical mission trip and given to the children seen at the village clinics. The group was formed in June of 2011 and has been actively knitting products for charitable causes. The Comfort Dolls have been shared with several mission groups going to various regions of the world. The group provides assistance closer to home as well by providing knitted baby caps to the nursery at St. Janet Coon with a mother and her child Agnes Hospital. who is holding one of the comfort dolls. They also look forward to preparing colorful scarves for the participants at this year's Special Olympics in Oshkosh. The children that were seen in the rural clinics were quite surprised to see a smiling "baby" awaiting their hugs after visiting the physician, receiving an injection, taking medication, or having a tooth extracted. Somehow their "new-found friend" truly provided a measure of comfort. It was most enjoyable for me to share these colorful, soft, safe dolls with the children and watch their response. Not only did the children enjoy them, but so did their mothers and fathers. It was another opportunity to let the people of Rosita know that the people in the Fond du Lac area care. Thanks, ladies, and happy knitting to you, knowing the happiness YOU provided. Janet Coon, RN

Pictured from left to right are some of the women from the Spillman Library Knitting Group who made the dolls: Sharon Boodry, Darleen Worm (leader), Sharon Wolf, Mary Woicek, Tammy Lipke, Kathy Stueber, and Cheryl Edwards.

UHH MISSION GROUP FEBRUARY 2012 The UHH Medical Team pictured from left to right: Suzanne Roever, DDS; Chris Rach, RN; Marcie Janz, ANP (back); Barbara Lent, RN; Stephanie HuebnerWendt, student nurse; Janet Coon, RN (back); Anne Lent, MD; John Lent, MD (back); Barbara Zink, MD; Tom Ries, MD; Ruth Cunzenheim, RN. Not pictured, Flavio Araa, interpreter. During their week in Nicaragua the mission group held clinics in Rosita and five outlying villages serving over 700 patients.

United Hearts for Health

Spring 2012

PHOTO GALLERY

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Girls with comfort dolls

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Ladies receiving baby layettes thanks to Gail Tomkowiak who organized the sewing of the layettes for residents of Casa Materna.

Patients seen at th e United Hearts fo r Health clinic.

Dr. Barbara Zink examining the premature infant whose mother died in childbirth. The grandmother is holding the child.

e donation of , delivering th John Lent, MD test strips d thousands of glucometers an tants Labotesy of Consul to Rosita, cour re. nesian Healthca ratory and Ag

Local women showing dresses made by Jean Killinger.