Seeds of Hope |
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About Us |
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Set up to decrease the spread of Tuberculosis in western Guatemala, Seeds of Hope gives support to people hospitalized for long periods of time. Patients at Rodolfo Robles have a minimum stay of three months and very little to do all day. Many come from rural areas, and their families do not have the financial means to visit or call, so patients may be isolated from their families for several months. Social work is essential to evaluating and addressing the economic, social, and psychological problems patients face. These problems can often prevent patients staying in the hospital and completing their TB treatment. The community awareness project informs isolated communities how they can access free treatment at Rodolfo Robles, recognize the symptoms of TB and AIDS, and prevent spreading these diseases. Out-patients and their families are educated on health issues while waiting for consultations in the external clinic. We hope to reach over 5,000 families per year in this way. Recreational activities are designed to revitalize patients. Depression, alcoholism and addiction, along with economic strain, are the main reasons patients leave the hospital before finishing their treatment, and can decrease the body's ability to fight disease. Activities range from co-operative games to concerts, football matches and movies. Hands in Action was set up to help patients with some of their financial needs. Patients can earn a little money and proceeds from Hands in Action crafts go towards a patient emergency fund. The patient emergency fund comes from a combination of Hands in Action profits and private donations. Patients can apply for funds through the Seeds of Hope social worker. They may need money for examinations or medication that are not available at the hospital, their journey home, a telephone card to call their family, or to help support their family at home. In the process patients receive emotional support from the Seeds of Hope social worker.
The alcoholic support group is run by local facilitators from a nearby rehabilitation centre with the initial support of Seeds of Hope. All Seeds of Hope projects are created with the intention that they will become permanent and self-sustaining within 5 years. Seed money, connections, education and training are provided by Seeds of Hope who then steps back into a supportive role as local institutions take on responsibility of the projects. Please consider donating to Seeds of Hope so that we can continue to do this work. |
About Us |
The
first volunteers came to Rodolfo Robles hospital to lift the spirit of patients.
They brought board games and reading material, sat and chatted, and organized
sing-alongs. But the more urgent needs of patients were not addressed until Sarah Gough,
a medical social worker from Canada, began Seeds of Hope in June 2002.
The
alcoholic support group offers hope to those suffering from
alcoholism. Addiction lowers the body's ability to fight disease, makes the
medication work less effectively, and is one of the main problems that lead
patients to abandon their treatment.| Webmaster: Andrew Scott Editing and design: Miranda Moore |
| Seeds of Hope is a project of the National Heritage Foundation |