winter 2015 newsletter

7/21/2019 Winter 2015 Newsletter

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

UHH ROSITA 2002-2015Thirteen Years of Serving and Sharing

THE BEGINNING 2002

In the spring of 2001 Don Mueller, Director of Pastoral Care of Holy Family Parish, invited Mary and Tom Freeman,

my wife, Barbara, and me to visit Rosita, Nicaragua, with him and to consider a commitment to serve the medical needs of that

community. The following March 2002, in a La Costeña single-engine prop, we landed on a naturally fertilized pasture/tarmac.

We were greeted by Sr. Marie Meis, CSA, and a small group of men, women, and children. We then climbed into the back of a

waiting pick-up and thumped our way into Rosita. With little time wasted, we began our tour of

the health care facilities and town. First we visited the hospital, a dilapidated wooden structure

situated in squalid surroundings and served by a shallow well of contaminated water. The few

surgical and obstetrical facilities were in disrepair. The main street was partially paved and

flanked by an open concrete trench which emptied raw sewage into a small river that traversed

the downtown area. The hot, humid air was weighed down by the ever-present odor of burning

garbage.

The next five days we stayed in the homes of families where we experienced up close

the onus of poverty and the personal consequences of contaminated water. Yet we also began

to discover human warmth and deep faith beneath the soiled veneer and that, just perhaps, we

and others could supply meaningful assistance. We returned to Fond du Lac with resolve to

establish some type of medical mission and commitment to Rosita for five years, possibly via a

sister-parish arrangement. We began recruiting medical missionaries, collecting medical

supplies and pharmaceuticals, arranging and funding a sea container, formulating the details for

the next Rosita visit in 2003, and establishing vital contacts in Managua. United Hearts for Health

was born.

PERIOD 2003-2006 Assessment and Planning

Identification and Prioritization of Needs and Conditions include:

Recognition of contaminated water as a major cause of 80% of illnesses

in developing countries and communities. Virtual absence of clean water in

either the city or rural areas.

Lack of good oral health along with abject poverty in the city and rural areas as

major factors in systemic diseases.

Recognition of the interrelationship of animal health with human health.

Health facilities very substandard and antiquated. Overall, the physicians and

health care providers were well trained but overworked and frustrated by the

paucity of good diagnostic equipment and pharmaceutical supplies.

SPRING 2015

United earts for ealth

ANNUAL WINTER NEWSLETTER 20

In this issue… Recap of the history of UHH from 2002 to the present by Dr. John Lent

Transition of UHH from active treatment to emphasis on prevention by Dr. Lent

Details of the most recent Nicaragua trip by Barbara Lent

Update on the Filtron Clay Pot Program by Barbara Lent

Discussion of the current agricultural situation in Rosita by Dr. Steve Malin

The old hospital building

in Rosita

Sr. Marise Meis, CSA; Dr. Tom Free-

man; and Dr. Steve Malin in front of

the new Rosita hospital



United Hearts for Health Winter 2015 2

Unreliable and intermittent electrical power sources. Large generator at local plywood factory as main power source for

the entire community. Virtual absence of any electrical power in the rural communities.

Minimal ability to communicate with the outside world. The ham radio of Sr. Marise was the primary mechanism. Tele-

phone lines and some cable lines were present but unreliable, damaged, and often sto-

len. Regular mail was very slow and unsafe for any financial exchange.

No paved roads connected Rosita to the Pacific or Atlantic coasts. Railroads did not exist.

These were severe impediments to growth and market access.

Need to maintain funds administered by Sr. Marise for medical emergencies and unex-pected medical needs.

2003: Meeting in Managua with Bishop Paul Schmitz, Bishop of the Bluefields Vicariate

(includes Rosita), and Minister of Health, Dr. Alvorado, relating to them the desperate condi-

tions of health care and facilities in Rosita. Met Bishop David Zywiec in Rosita.

Sr. Anne Jude Van Lanen, CSA, RN, accompanied us on her emotional return visit to

Rosita. It was she who advocated in behalf of Rosita as the UHH partner in Nicaragua.

2004: Returned to Rosita to find a new hospital and health care center. Continued assessment of most immediate needs.

2005: Setting up a satellite internet connection in Rosita funded by donations from Fond du Lac.

Agricultural project initiated by Dr. Steve Malin, veterinarian. Multiple subsequent visits to Rosita consisting of bring-

ing antibacterial and antiparasite agents, expertise, and equipment for teaching artificial insemination techniques to local

farmers and veterinarians. Steve also effectuated visits of several of these personnel to his home and business in Wisconsin in

order to observe and learn techniques employed in agriculture and animal health in Wis-

consin.

Meyling, a 43-year-old woman brought to Fond du Lac Agnesian HealthCare: ur-

gent aortic valvular surgery for progressive heart failure.

Marie Elina: 8-year-old child with blindness: eyelid surgery at Children’s Hospital

in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

First of several meetings with American Ambassador, Paul Trivelli, and with Con-

nie Johnson, Director of USAID/Nicaragua.

First of many meetings and communications with Mario Torres, Director General

of Projects in ENEL (Nicaraguan Department/Company of Electrical Power). Exploration of

feasibility of mini hydroelectro projects in the three mining cities (Siuna, Bonanza, andRosita). Multiple meetings and exchanges with Idaho engineers and this writer through

2010. A major precursor to arrival of the electrical grid in late December 2010 (see below).

2006: Finalizing plans for first hospital medical and dental clinic in 2007 guided by the leadership of Gail Tomkowiak, RN;

Marcie Janz, RN, APNP; and Barbara Lent, RN.

Rigoberto: 50-year-old man: urgent surgery because of aortic valve disease and intractable congestive heart failure

via Agnesian HealthCare.

Keydi: 16-year-old girl: congenital cyanotic heart disease and high output heart failure: surgery and specialized cathe-

terization techniques at NYU Medical Center (arrangements made by Maria Corbo, Director of Foreign Medical Assistance).

Renovation of Casa Schlaefer, lodging and meeting center for UHH, visitors, and church/community functions under

direction and leadership of Dr. Jack Shanahan and funded by generous donations from

the people of Fond du Lac.

PERIOD 2007-2009

2007: First annual medical/dental clinic held in Rosita Hospital: arrival of Sheboy-

gan, Wisconsin, contingent of physicians, Robert Helminiak, an internist, and Tom

Ries in OB/GYN. In future visits they would be joined by RN’s, physicians, and

other health care providers in Sheboygan. James Keenan, DDS, worked with a

local dentist. Over 1000 patients served.

In early September Hurricane Felix smashes the northern Atlantic/Caribbean Coast and northern parts of

Rosita resulting in loss of many lives, devastation of property, and severe health emergency situations in large

Marcie Janz, APNP, working

with a patient

Dr. Barbara Zink with a special

patient Wendy Ortiz

Dr. Tom Ries with a patient




Rosita have been affected by our common bond and love of each other as brothers and sisters. Words are insufficient for such

a powerfully emotional and life-changing experience.

Perhaps we of UHH have contributed a small improvement in the lives of our friends in Rosita. I know that my life has

been changed forever. I suspect the same can be said for most of the medical missionaries who have shared their lives with

the people of Rosita. To paraphrase the Prayer of Oscar Romero: We planted seeds and watered the plants others had sown.

Despite our limitations and imperfections we did our best and indeed some things we did very well. And we gave always with

compassion and love. Did we make a difference? Probably we will never know. We are the workers. We are not the Master

Builder. And the future is not ours. ~John E. Lent, MD

UHH: TRANSITION and FUTURE in ROSITA

UHH has been serving the people of Rosita for 13 years. While we have assisted in the improvement of the diagnos-

tic and therapeutic mechanisms and worked together with the health care providers of Rosita, to this point our primary role

has to been to treat symptoms: to relieve pain, treat infections, remove abscessed teeth in an effort to reduce suffering in the

city and rural areas.

In agricultural and animal health an analogous pathway has been followed. Working relationships have been estab-

lished. Proper treatment of livestock illnesses with pharmaceuticals has resulted in healthier and more productive cattle.

Working together with the farmers of the Rosita area, procedures such as artificial insemination were successful in selectedcases.

It is now time to move from treating symptoms to preventing diseases. The first focus will be that of expanding the

number of Filtron clay pots in the city barrios. These extraordinarily effective and affordable units have already resulted in a

remarkable decrease in hospitalizations for dehydration and diarrhea, an improvement in overall health, and in growth and

development of the children. We also are convinced that Filtrons have been life saving especially in the very young children.

Recognizing the connection between animal health and human health, the second main focus of UHH will be that of

agriculture and animal health. Rosita has a wealth of resources necessary not only to improve the health of its citizens but also

the hope of providing more opportunities for employment and ultimately a pathway out of poverty.

UHH is excited yet also challenged by this new direction and emphasis. We are buoyed by the enthusiasm and deter-

mination of the Rosita community to assume ownership of these projects. We have just returned from a five-day journey to

Nicaragua and Rosita. What we witnessed never could have been possible without the goodness and generosity of our friends

and neighbors in our Fond du Lac community and beyond. We and the people of Rosita will always be grateful.~John E. Lent, MD

RETURNING TO ROSITA AFTER A TWO-YEAR HIATUS

Although the United Hearts for Health Medical Team worked in Rosita in

February of 2015, it had been two years in October since we had traveled there.

John had a knee replacement in September of 2014 which made it impossible for us

to visit Rosita that year. We looked forward to our trip in late October with much

anticipation. We invited Dr. Steve Malin, a veterinarian, to accompany us. He also

had not been to Rosita for several years.

Landing in Managua, we found ourselves very eager to see all our friends in

Rosita. It is always exciting to see who will be waiting for us in the cow pasture

where the airplane lands in Rosita, and we were thrilled to see many familiar, wel-

coming faces led by Sr. Marise Meis and Arely Garcia.

Compared to two years ago, the streets of Rosita are maybe a little busier,

and more of them are paved. Also more people seem to be on their cell phones.

Basically, though, things look much the same with all of our senses being barraged

with the sounds and sights of Rosita.

Since our plane into Rosita was surprisingly early—9:15 a.m., we had al-

most a full day on Friday to work on the Filtron Clay Pot Program. We were dropped off at Casa Schlaefer where we would be

staying. What a blessing it is to be able to stay at Casa Schlaefer, which was remodeled by donations from the Fond du Lac

October 2015: Standing on the landing

strip in Rosita are Barbara Lent, RN; Sr.

Marise Meis, CSA; John Lent, MD; Steve

Malin, DVM; Marta; and Arely Garcia.




area and a construction management team from Fond du Lac. The building is utilized by Santa Rosa Parish and programs of

the Vicariate. Friday afternoon, we held a meeting there with Arely Garcia, Carol Sinclair (interpreter), and Sr. Marise Meis.

The financial books and spread sheets from the Filtron Program were reviewed, and future plans for the program were dis-

cussed. A strategy was planned to make home visits on Saturday morning to families who utilize the Filtron clay pots.

John and I had both forgotten what Nicaragua is like in the rainy season, but we were

soon reminded that it is extremely hot and humid. Everyday about noon, black clouds roll in,

and it pours buckets. That makes it difficult to drive on unpaved roads as there is mud every-

where. We knew that we needed to make our home visits in the morning before the rain began.

That morning we visited both the hospital to meet with Dr. Saravia, hospital director, and Casa

Materna. We had a good hour meeting with Dr. Saravia who told us about his staff at the hospi-

tal and what the needs of the hospital were, after which he took us on a tour. One of the im-

provements was the addition of a bathroom outside the hospital for patients coming there to be

seen in the outpatient clinics.

Next, we were able to see the hospital deep well, which is still functioning, supplying

potable water for the hospital and, in the dry season, to the people of Rosita. We were so

proud of the well as this was a project directed by UHH.

Our next stop was a walk across the street to tour Casa Materna. Just last month 68

babies were delivered there. They have added a new dormitory for mothers, but their water

filtration system is not working. At present they have one Filtron clay pot and would like another

one. Many layettes for the newborn babies have been made and sent to Casa Materna by the

Christian Women at Holy Family Catholic Community and Gail Tomkowiak.

We always find it very heartwarming to visit the families who utilize the

Filtron clay pots. They usually welcome us into their homes with open arms and

are so proud to show us their pots. Their humble homes are a sober reminder

that in 2015, families still live with dirt floors, no potable water, and outdoor

baños that are frequently a few feet from the family well.

We walked the barrios in the heat until we were near exhaustion then returned to

Chico and Meyling’s restaurant just before the downpour started. It was too hot

to eat lunch, but we were delighted to get out of the rain and drink some cold

water, as well as reunite with our dear friend Chico Martinez, owner of the restau-

rant. It has been two years since the death of his beloved wife and our friend

Meyling. We also reconnected with Chico and Meyling’s daughters, Judith and

Giovanio and their children. We made plans to visit Chico’s saw mill on Sunday

afternoon after church.

One of the highlights of the trip is going to Mass at Santa Rosa Church. On our usual walk to church through the

downtown streets, we were surprised and flattered to hear greetings and our names being called as we walked along. At-

tending Mass is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist with the people of Rosita and to greet a lot of old

friends. At the end of Mass, we were presented to the congregation, and we all gave a short speech in Spanish.

After changing our clothes, we meet Chico Martinez and went to his saw mill. It had stacks of beautiful wood

which was being shipped all over the world to make furniture. Chico then took us to the Rosita Cemetery to see Meyling’s

crypt. Monday was the Dia de los Muertos or the day of the dead; as a result, many people were in the cemetery tending to

the grave stones of their loved ones. We walked back to Casa Schlaefer and on the way stopped to see Rosa who would be

coming to Fond du Lac with the Fair Trade Program the next week.

It was Sunday evening after dinner, and we were lamenting that we were missing the Packer-Bronco football game.

Sr. Marise told us that there was a new sports bar in downtown Rosita. When walked in, soccer was the sport on the televi-

sion. We asked if we could please watch American football, and the bar graciously accommodated our wishes. It was cer-

tainly an experience for us to be watching the Green Bay Packer game in downtown Rosita.

Monday morning marked the end of our trip to Rosita. We felt very satisfied that we had a good perspective on

how effective the Filtron Clay Program is for prevention of waterborne diseases, and we had a plan for the future of the pro-

gram. Our emotions were those of returning home after a long absence. We had reconnected with people that we have

known and loved for 13 years who have welcomed us with open arms. The people of Rosita have stolen our hearts, and

their needs will always be a focus for us. ~Barbara Lent, RN

Dr. John Lent, Chico Mar-

tinez, and Barbara Lent,

with Chico’s sawmill in

the background

Dr. Steve Malin, Barbara Lent, and Dr.

John Lent after Sunday Mass with

members of the congregation




PROGRESS REPORT ON THE FILTRON CLAY PROGRAM

One of the primary purposes of our October 2015 trip to Rosita, Nicaragua, was to assess the progress of the Filtron Clay

Program. As the readers probably remember, the present model has been an evolution from building a factory in Rosita to asking

the owner of the plant in San Marcos to build a plant in Rosita to partnering with Potters for Peace to finally returning to local

control with the Filtrons being trucked to Rosita from San Marcos.

The new twist to the program is that the Filtrons will not be given free to families; instead they would pay about $1.50

per month for their Filtron for about 19 months. At the end of this period, they would receive a new Filtron and would continue

to make payments since the average life of a Filtron is about 20 to 24 months.

If a family absolutely cannot afford to make the payments, they will be given a

Filtron free. The money generated from these payments should help to fi-

nance the continuation of the program. Arely Garcia, the administrator of the

program, noted that when families pay to have a Filtron, they seem to take

better care of it.

Also, families in Rosita can pay the purchase price of $31.00 if they

can afford to do that. For example, the administrator of the hospital, Dr. David

Saravia, and Dr. Milton Roche, the local dentist, have purchased Filtrons for

their families. UHH has also donated two Filtrons to the hospital waiting area

and two to the Casa Materna, the home for high-risk pregnant women.

We felt it necessary to do a simple study on the efficacy of the Filtrons

in Rosita. For that purpose, we have constructed a brief survey on the health

of the family that Arely Garcia will use when visiting them. Also Arely will go to

the hospital every month and compare the records of the hospital on people seen in their clinics to the list of families using the

Filtrons.

At present there have been 198 new Filtrons placed with families in Rosita. One hundred were placed in February and

one hundred in April. A new shipment will come in November. Arely also stated that the community is well aware of the effect

that drinking clean water has on the health of their families. Consequently, very little advertising has to be done for the Filtrons,

and they are usually all placed within a week of their arrival in Rosita.

Arely will visit families every three months to make sure they are cleaning the Fil-

trons and using them correctly. She feels that she can work with about 100 Filtrons being

delivered to Rosita every three months . Arely has three granddaughters who can help her

with the program.

We found tremendous enthusiasm in Rosita for the Filtrons. Everyone understands

that clean water is so important to the health of their families. The program is being admin-

istered well with financial accountability and good record keeping. The following are the

goals for the future:

Begin the study on how effective the Filtrons are for the families in Rosita

Improve the money collection ratio for families using the Filtrons so eventually the pro-gram will be self-sustaining

Place 1,000 Filtrons in Rosita which would serve about 5,000 people

Expand the program to the rural area ~Barbara Lent, RN

Dr. John Lent and two women from Rosita are

proud to show off the Filtron clay pot in their

kitchen.

Children with Filtrons in their

home have access to clean water,

a definite health benefit




United Hearts for Health

Mission Statement

We propose to join the faith journey with Santa Rosa Par-

ish by facilitating a Fond du Lac community effort to assist

in raising the standard of healthcare and promoting a morehealthy environment in Rosita, Nicaragua, and the sur-

rounding rural areas.

This long-term relationship will seek to work in partnership

with the people of Rosita, its healthcare and church com-

munity and Nicaraguan government, while recognizing the

dignity and the many talents of the people we hope to

serve.

Hazotte Ministries/ United Hearts for Health

320 County Road K

Fond du Lac, WI 54937

Contact Numbers: (920) 923-0155 — M. Cappellari(920) 923-2446 — M. Janz

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/UnitedHeartsforHealthFdL

Website: www.fdlunitedheartsforhealth.org/

To receive your newsletter electronically, or to offer input,

please e-mail [email protected]

AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS: WORKS IN PROGRESS

As we are now on our flight from Managua to Texas, I have time to

reflect on the visit to Rosita that we have just completed. I am very glad I

decided to go on this trip. I came here thinking I wanted to return one last

time just to see if we had made any progress with our agricultural pro-

jects. Now I expect and hope this is not my last visit.

In many ways progress is very slow, especially if we try to quantify it

with numbers which can be used to measure success or failure. As an exam-

ple, we have spent a lot of time in the past working on the artificial insemi-

nation project on multiple visits. Hundreds of doses of cattle semen were

sent to Nicaragua, and I believe most were used, but data as to the number

of pregnancies which resulted is not available. When the semen which we

sent was used up, the project stopped, at least for now. This is disappointing.

However, there are areas of "hidden" success with this project. When I first

went to Rosita about 10 years ago and after a couple of their agricultural

representatives visited Fond du Lac and observed our farming practices in

Wisconsin, we talked about possible projects which we could work on in

Rosita. They immediately wanted to work on improving the genetic ability of

their cattle using artificial insemination. We knew then that progress with their cattle’sgenetics would not be able to express its total value until they have a better market for

their agricultural products and until they provide the care and nutrition which their ani-

mals require.

While working on the artificial insemination project and getting physically dirty

together, as one does doing that procedure, we had the opportunity to talk about other

topics such as the importance of nutrition and animal health issues. These additional ar-

eas are probably more important than the genetic advances we had been working on, but

their choice for our original project was the insemination project. Now, without prompt-

ing, they talk about and understand the value of putting their efforts into increasing the

nutrition and health of their cattle. There is certainly value today working towards in-

creasing the genetic ability of their animals and improving the nutrition and health of their

animals, but so much more could and may be realized if and when a better market is avail-able. That probably won't happen until a good road is completed connecting Rosita to the

rest of the country. Promises continually are made about this road project. Hopefully,

someday it will be a reality.

We have also spent a lot of effort working on getting a veterinary practice established in Rosita and a couple of

other areas of the country including Puerto Cabezas. Like the insemination project, progress here is slower than I would like,

but it is still very much a work in progress.

Disscussing agricultural issues with Dr. Steve

Malin are, clockwise from left, Arely Garcia,

Papa Terra, Malin, José Ocampo, veterinarian

from Puerto Cabezas who visited Fond du

Lac, and Marta.

Dr. Malin seated at right with

Dr. José Ocampo (center).Malin helped Ocampo to get

his veterinary practice estab-

lished in Puerto Cabezas .




Please consider a Christmas donation as we at UHH continue to fund preventive measures and Sr. Marise’s

Emergency Fund to help the needy in Rosita. Thank you

Please make your check payable to Hazotte Ministries/UHH

Send to: 320 County Road KFond du Lac, WI 54937

Name____________________________

Address__________________________

___________________________

With all of our projects, our ultimate goal remains the same. If even

in small ways we can help make their lives better, help them with a way to pro-

vide for their families, increase the health and production of their livestock,

and ultimately improve the health and nutrition of the people, we will be

pleased and feel blessed for having had this opportunity.

Every time we go to Rosita, I am pleasantly surprised how things "just

seem to happen." On this trip Barbara and John Lent and I were taking a break

having a soda at the restaurant when a gentleman who was born and raised in

Texas and who originally came to Nicaragua as a member of the Peace Corp

and who now lives in Nicaragua stopped by our table and introduced himself.

After a very interesting

discussion, he agreed to

work with us for the

remainder of the trip.

He acted as not only our

interpreter but as a val-

ued contributor, having

knowledge and informa-

tion concerning many

areas. Having his services allowed us to get so much more done thanwe would have without him. He may be a valuable contact for us as

he acts in some role as we move forward.

We are just preparing to land in Houston, and it is great to

get back to the USA. However, I still have a part of me back in Nica-

ragua, and I hope to return again for another visit.

~Steve Malin, DVM

In 2006 Edguardo and Reina brought their

baby daughter to the airport to greet the

UHH mission group. Holding her is Dr.

Malin. The family was the host for Malin in

2005 and 2006. On this recent trip, Dr.

Malin was able to visit the family again.

(See the baby now-- in the picture to the

right.)

Dr. Malin snapped this photo during his visit this

October with the family of Edguardo and Reina.

The baby girl has grown up and is pictured in the

front right. With her are her parents, two brothers,

and her grandpa.

winter 2015 newsletter

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