Pediatric Services in Remote Areas of Argentina

We continue working hard and started the year full of energy and lots of activities to share with you.

The foundation keeps growing and reaching those children who need us so much and this is all thanks to those people who believe in us and gives us their support. As you read this newsletter, remember we were able to accomplish all this because of you.

 Projects and Achievements:

• The Foundation is reviewing different options to supply freshwater to the schools located in Pampa del Indio.  This location in Chaco lacks freshwater. The excavation work has to be made several meters deep as the first layers only have salt water, which cannot be used. The children show signs of skin problems, malnutrition and parasites related to the use of rain and river water. As always, we try to improve these children future so if you’d like to participate in this project, please send us an email to contactenos@sumandomanos.org
• The Santa Clara Civil Association conducted a trip to Catamarca, where they visited two schools. After going through mountain trails and following tracks trough fields, they delivered shoes, clothing, toys, nonperishable food, milk powder, school supplies, toothbrushes and toothpaste, etc.

They provided dental care (cavities, extractions and fluoride treatments) to 39 children and the adults that were with them. The dentists taught oral hygiene to those who received their services.

The same dental and medical attention was provided during the last week of April in Misiones where the group of doctors visited 5 schools and took care of 100 children and 50 adults. They also received non perishable food, school and medical supplies for over 200 children. The humanitarian commitment and effort made by the members and volunteers of Santa Clara Civil Association is key for the lives and future of the children in the communities mentioned above due to the difficult access to these remote places which is worsened by the lack of their basic needs being met.

As every year, the schedule for medical visits will be completed in Chaco, Santiago del Estero, Entre Ríos, Jujuy and Salta accordingly to their calendar.

• We continued our program “Breakfast for the Children”. As in previous years, when the new school year started, we began the deliveries of food to the schools in Chaco that are part of our program. Approximately 270 children benefit from this program and receive breakfast and/or lunch.
• During March and April Grupo ASSA, an Argentinean company, conducted a campaign to collect school supplies, clothes, shoes and board games for the children. The donations are being delivered to schools that participate in our assistance program located in Chaco, Salta, Misiones, Corrientes y Entre Ríos. Thank you very much for your support!
• Coordinated by our collaborator in Argentina, Teresa Donaire, we received numerous donations of different items such as shoes, kitchenware, tablecloths, napkins, kitchen aprons, appliances, clothing for children, babies and adults, quilts, blankets, tricycles, children's cards, movies, costumes, story books, school supplies, candy, bookshelves, curtains, toys, medication, backdrop for projections and artificial logs for gas stoves. These items will be sent to schools and institutions located in Corrientes, Santa Fe, Salta, Misiones, Entre Ríos, San Luis and Neuquén. We would like to thank the Rotary Club of Villa Crespo for their clothes and shoes donation, as well as Cesar Rolando for his continuous contribution of packing tape that we use to ship our donations!
• During January and February we continued our routine medical visits to Gonzalez Catan. 37 patients received care in our dental office. We conducted extractions, fixed cavities and checked the oral health of our patients. 141 children received pediatric care. Cases that were treated in previous visits were monitored and controlled. As usual, some children show digestive problems (gastroenteritis and parasites), skin conditions and respiratory tract infections. All patients received the necessary medication to treat their conditions as well as vitamins for those babies who needed it. We take this opportunity to thank Gloria, who so tenderly prepares the delicious meals for the children.
• On Sunday March 24^th we provided medical care at the Indigenous Community Mocoví COM CAIA located in Recreo, Santa Fe. 8 children were treated; they showed signs of respiratory problems (asthma, laryngitis, bronchospasm), diarrhea, allergies and scabies. 11 adults received care at the cardiologic clinic (10 women and 1 man) that were showing different signs of anemia, headaches, osteoarthritis, arthritis, bronchitis, high blood pressure, allergy. The ophthalmologic office received 12 patients. Several volunteers from Nokan Kani prepared and organized lunch that day for all who attended the visits.
• On Saturday March 23^rd we provided pediatric care in Merendero Belén in Villa Solidaridad, Salta. During this visit we treated 16 children and 2 mothers from the neighborhood Villa Solidaridad, the most common diseases found were respiratory and skin conditions. After receiving medical care, the children worked on art projects and enjoyed a delicious meal lovingly made by the owner of the house together with the volunteers.
• On March 9^th we began our pediatric services in Las Talitas, Tucumán. On that day, 20 children and 3 adults received treatment. The most common diseases observed were conditions of upper and lower respiratory tract, parasites and skin problems. There were workshops for the parents on how to prevent bronchiolitis. During this event, we received the collaboration of volunteers who organized the visits and were also in charge of recreational activities for the children.
• The School N°37 "Dominguito"  located in a rural area Paraje Las Cuevas, Dpto.Diamante, Entre Ríos was added to our assistance plan. The rural school has 27 students. Also, Dr. Sonia Sartor is now working at HOSPITAL ZONAL DE CONCARAN as a general doctor in San Luis and we will be supporting her there as well and wishing her the best! 

Actually we are supporting more than 7000 children throughout more than 70 schools, feeding centers and foster homes in 14 provinces in Argentina.

Please remember that on June 12th, donations received through GlobalGiving will be receivng a 50% matching for our projects.

• Anything you can do to help will be welcome. With US$ 10 we can provide breakfast to a child for an entire month, and with US$ 25 we can also cover for medical and dental services. For more information and donations, please visit https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/pediatric-services-in-remote-areas-of-argentina/

Thanks everyone  for trusting in our foundation to be the liaison  between the children who  need our help and yourselves.

** Spanish version attached.

Links:

• Organization's Web Site

• Boletin en Espanol (PDF)