There is nothing like a worldwide pandemic to prove your true grit. If it wasn’t already evident, it is now clear that the Casa Materna team is unwaveringly committed to their community and work, and that God’s mercies truly are new every morning!
In April our clinic stopped accepting new patients for a short time. Once we had adequate PPE and a staff that was properly prepared, we began to add new patients to our existing patient list. Although other local providers closed their doors for a few months, in response to the great need as well as prediction models that anticipated a large increase in worldwide maternal mortality rates as one of the secondary effects of COVID, we forged ahead as one of the only local providers of prenatal and delivery care. Along with our sister organization, Saving Mothers, we developed COVID protocols for all aspects of patient care. Virtual training sessions have been a valuable part of this ongoing training process.
Our newest endeavor has been training our staff to provide in-home postpartum visits in a COVID safe manner. We’re thankful for our clinical director, Jessica Oliveira, and her Saving Mothers team for their hard work on this. The Casa team recently completed this training and will be implementing in-home postpartum visits in the weeks to come. Because of the nationwide transportation restrictions in Guatemala, we have temporarily halted our efforts in Camotán, but anticipate using our in-home protocols to provide prenatal care in Camotán and in the remote villages of San Juan once transportation is more accessible.
Due to the many restrictions brought on by COVID, food insecurity has become an ever-increasing problem around Lake Atitlán, Guatemala, and much of the world. In response to this, the Casa Materna has provided food bags to our patients and the local comadronas (midwives). We have distributed over $1,000 worth of food to date.
Early in 2020, we were sad to release our friend and faithful driver, Josue, from his duties. Our used “ambulance” which had been chugging along for over 3 years, saw its last patient transport and Josue’s duties were no longer needed. We have since contracted on a trial basis with the local ambulance to attend our births in preparedness for unforeseen emergency transfers, and so far, so good. This collaboration is in line with our goal of community ownership of the Casa. We are hopeful it will be successful, although with limited public transportation during COVID we would like to have our own van again for the sake of educational sessions, postpartum visits, and patient referrals to the hospital. Please pray for this need.
In the early days of the pandemic the government clinic moved into the downstairs of our building and took over some of our upstairs space with the hope of expanding their services. This has been an adjustment for our staff as we take caution in assuring that not only our staff and patients, but all government providers are following our COVID protocols. It is our hope that working alongside the government clinic will offer greater opportunity for collaboration and improved patient care.
Just last month our four year building contract with the municipality expired. We were concerned that we would need to find a new space for the Casa Materna. As God often does, he showed up in quite a magnificent way. The exact month that our contract expired was the same month that the ministry of health took over ownership of the building. We have every reason to believe that the ministry’s intention is to continue to work with us and to grant us continued use of our current space. We are thankful for this little miracle!
Our outstanding on-ground director, Jaclyn Karasik, remained in Guatemala through these COVID challenges, but had to leave in July to start her master’s program in public health. We are grateful for the excellent leadership and many project successes during her year on-ground. She exceeded our expectations! Jaclyn continues to be involved with the Casa Materna as she studies in the U.S., and we are hoping that she will utilize her growing public health expertise for the Casa in years to come.
Because Guatemala borders are still closed to foreign travelers, unlike previous years, we limited the search for our new on-ground director to those already living in Guatemala. We found Gabriela Maldonado! She is a Guatemala native with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s in cultural anthropology. She has a passion for women’s health and is the mother of two young boys. She is the first Guatemalan native and the first mother to be on-ground director! She has only been with us a few short months, but it is clear she is the right woman for the job. We are ecstatic to welcome her to the Casa team!
Although COVID caused us to cancel our spring fundraiser, we are hopeful to pick up on our fundraising efforts in the coming months. We are thankful for God’s provision during this time, as we know that many non-profits had to close their programs as a result of the financial stressors of COVID. His mercies truly are new every morning!
We received news last week that a nurse from the government clinic in our building died from COVID, and that several of the nurses in the same clinic were also infected. We were sad to hear this, and we pray and mourn for our healthcare partners. In this sadness, however, I’m motivated to continue the journey to do and be even better, and to motivate others to do the same. We can’t be the catalyst for all change, but we can do the part God has called us to, and little by little it is our hope that ALL women in San Juan and the surrounding area will know the security of receiving SAFE and excellent prenatal and delivery care, and that each woman will know that she is VALUED and LOVED. Thank you for supporting us in these goals, especially in this infamous year of 2020.
“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” We will continue to walk this Covid and Casa Materna journey alongside the women and families of Guatemala with this sweet reminder in scripture to encourage us. We have big dreams for the year ahead, and with each healthy birth and high risk referral we are increasingly motivated to continue this good work. Please pray for the health of our staff and patients. Your prayers matter!
In gratitude,
Erica McElroy
