Guatemala | Stove Team Mission

In mid-March Mr. Kelling, founder of HWC, participated in a mission to Guatemala supported by HELPS International.  The team built 142 stoves in five days for Mayans living in the Guatemalan mountains. The Mayans otherwise cook in their modest dwellings using wood burning fires on the floor without adequate ventilation — resulting in serious respiratory issues. Mr. Kelling is hopeful there will be a future opportunity for HWC to undertake its own stove mission to Guatemala.  

Jinotega, Nicaragua | Water Mission

In June, HWC kicked off it’s clean water focus with two graduate student volunteers facilitating focus groups and completing household surveys to address clean water issues in several rural Jinotega communities. The volunteers also performed, analyzed, and evaluated the quality of water samples from the participating communities. The ultimate goal is to improve water quality and reduce the dangers of water-borne illness. Ms Ortiz returned in 2017 by completing an in-depth needs assessment in 13 communities.

“I am so grateful for the experience and even more grateful that the work we've done is already having
an impact. I am beyond humbled.”

Anna Ortiz , Graduate Student Volunteer

Jinotega, Nicaragua | Medical Mission

Working with AVODEC, Esperança’s host country partner, HWC assembled a pediatric surgery team from Baylor Scott & White Hospital that travelled to Jinotega, Nicaragua, providing consultation and surgery services to the San Rafael Community Clinic. Dr. Custer and Dr. Mattix completed 37 pediatric consultations, and performed 25 successful surgeries. In 2017, the medical team compelted 55 consultations and 44 surgeries. “The medical trip was a great display of ongoing collaboration between Esperança and HWC, every year the trip gets better. Volunteering is a heart-warming experience,” Dr. Custer reported. The medical team is expecting to return in June 2018.

One World Unity Project, Inc.

During the July mission trip the prosthetist fitted 14 new limbs and made more than 15 adjustments and repairs to existing prosthetic limbs.  One of the patients learned of mission trip and traveled more that eleven hours to seek help.  The cost of the mission trip was funded by HWC and other financial contributors secured by HWC.

The mayor of Asuncion Mita in Guatemala is seeking a permanent prosthetics lab and for more immediate space for equipment storage. HWC and its collaborator attends to finance the construction of the lab for use by One World Unity Project and other visiting prosthetists to expand the health care of this Mayan region.

The Rivera Team

In July, a Temple, Texas, youth group and its pastor from a local church, and leaders from One World Unity Project travelled to Jutiapa, Guatemala on a HWC sponsored mission trip.  The team installed 30 stoves. The success of the project has encouraged the team to undertake annual stove-building trips.  In 2019 it is anticipated that the team will acquire and install at least 40 stoves for the Mayan people.