TEAMworks International: Meet Guatemala!

After serving in Ukraine, Amanda and Kym began to think beyond one country and saw a vision for TEAMworks that included serving the nations...

After serving in Ukraine, Amanda and Kym began to think beyond one country and saw a vision for TEAMworks that included serving the nations. They were eager to see where God would lead them. Soon after, Amanda was in contact with New Heights Church and Mama Carmen’s, an orphanage in Guatemala City. She had a few children with special needs who were in need of wheelchairs. Meanwhile, Kym had been in contact with a family member who was involved with Mike’s Angels, a non-profit ministry from Georgia, who took frequent service trips to Guatemala. This organization visited additional orphanages around Guatemala City and felt our TEAM could be of great help to the nannies and orphanage staff.  In September 2011, after quick planning and gathering of materials and equipment, our first TEAM was off to Guatemala!

TEAMworks has really enjoyed the evolution of our time in Guatemala. This vibrant, fun-loving, and welcoming country and the people have allowed us to reach so many! Over the years, we have traveled to remote villages to serve people who have sometimes never seen medical care, particularly therapists; served in orphanages, big and small, to educate orphanage workers how to best serve their children with special needs; built relationships with professional universities and hospitals who allow us to share our knowledge in hopes it will be combined with their knowledge to serve those they come in contact with in their own communities; and, partnered with other non-profits, such as Learning Spot, as a means to make a long term partnership in the care of individuals who would otherwise not have access to therapy.  We have been so blessed by our friends and partners in Guatemala who so vehemently share our vision for servanthood!

As we continue sharing our stories, we asked some of our TEAMworks Guatemalers to share their experience with you!

Paige Funkhouser is a speech-language pathologist from Children's Therapy TEAM who has been a part of TEAMworks Guatemala from the beginning. She was on the inaugural service trip to Guatemala and has returned twice a year since 2011. She just can’t stay away! Here is what Paige had to say about her time in Guatemala.

Describe your TEAMworks experience in 3-5 words?

Life Changing, Rewarding, Humbling

Was there a child who most "pulled your heartstrings"? If so, please describe meeting the child for the first time. 

From a holistic perspective, experiences in the rural villages have been very impactful and meaningful.  Every time we hold a clinic at a new village I am overwhelmed by the greeting and the number of people who show up. There are so many who come from all over the area to see us, and that is so humbling. Due to long travels and logistics, we have often arrived late to community clinics, but those from the community are all there waiting for us. On occasion, up to 100 people have been awaiting our arrival. Often, these are areas where the community rarely has access to general medical care, much less therapeutic services, and they are very excited to receive any information or assistance we can provide.

From a speech and language standpoint, Karla at Learning Spot “pulled at my heart strings” the most. Karla's history is sad, though her future is encouraging. When she was very young, doctors told her parents she would never be able to progress. Not having any support, Karla’s parents did not attempt to promote development or even engage with her. However, God placed people in their lives who gave encouragement that maybe there was hope for Karla's development. She began receiving services through a clinic called Learning Spot and their director reached out to us for help.
On our most recent trip, we met with mom and Karla at Learning Spot where I helped initiate a Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). Her mom, as well as therapists at the clinic, attended multiple sessions a day over the course of a week, in which they were taught the protocol. Karla progressed quickly with this communication tool, and it gave her an outlet to communicate with people in her environment and decrease the frustration she was having due to a lack of communication. Her mom and Diana (the director) were so grateful and we are encouraged this will be carried over even while we are gone!

How has TEAMworks outreach made an impact on the child's life?
 

In instance of clinics, it is often support and encouragement to the individual/family.  We have given away several wheel chairs, walkers, and specialty equipment. We have given wheelchairs to individuals who were previously transported on a plastic lawn chair tied to the caregiver's head. It is nice being part of life changing moments for both the child and their family. 

How has your involvement in the TEAMworks outreach impacted you?
 

It has humbled me in my day-to-day life and made me more gracious and grateful for the blessings I have received. It has also made me a more well-rounded therapist.  It has given me the opportunity to work closely with my colleagues to look at the whole child from multiple angles and allows me to carry this ability over into my daily treatment at Children’s Therapy T.E.A.M.

What years did you serve?
I have served twice a year, almost every year!

 

Veteran Children’s Therapy TEAM Occupational Therapist Julie Marvin has served with TEAMworks in multiple countries. Here is what she had to say about her time in Guatemala:

 

Describe your TEAMworks experience in 3-5 words?

Humbling, Inspiring, Life-changing

Was there a child who most "pulled your heartstrings"? If so, please describe meeting the child for the first time. How has TEAMworks outreach made an impact on the child's life?

I loved, loved, loved Wilder!!!! We drove and drove and drove into the Guatemala boonies to Mama Carmen’s Farm. When we arrived, I knew why our team repeatedly makes the trip out to his house. Wilder is a gem. He has the sweetest smile and the most caring, loving family. They have next to nothing, but they welcomed us with all they had. Wilder and his family drank in all that we shared with them and were so, so grateful. I would love to go see him again.

How has your involvement in the TEAMworks outreach impacted you?

TEAMworks has given me the opportunity to see how people live in other parts of the world. It has helped me to develop empathy like I never had before. The children served are so, so special and so, so loved and their families are beyond grateful. TEAMworks is such a special program. I can't wait to go on my next trip.

What years did you serve?
2013

Mary Claire Tuinstra is a bilingual occupational therapist for Children’s Therapy T.E.A.M. She went on her first service trip with TEAMworks to Guatemala just this past spring and shares her experience with us below:

Describe your TEAMworks experience in 3-5 words?

Inspiring. Rewarding. Challenging. Joyful.

Was there a child who most "pulled your heartstrings"? If so, please describe meeting the child for the first time.

Esteban and his caregiver. She sang him a special song every day and his face lit up with smiles. It moved me almost to tears to see the bond this child had with his caregiver. Whenever I hear that song I will smile and think of their love for each other.

How has TEAMworks outreach made an impact on a child's life?

One child, Nicolle, was having difficulty swallowing milk, and any food for that matter, when we arrived to Learning Spot. Her speech therapist Alyson helped train her mother to help her swallow with less distress. It was an amazing thing to witness.

How has your involvement in the TEAMworks outreach impacted you?

TEAMworks has impacted my heart, my mind and my spirit as a therapist and as a human being. I left part of myself at Learning Spot, with Diana and all the children and parents we served. I would love to go see them, and serve them again as soon as I can.

What years did you serve?

I served this past Spring of 2018

 

Also on the Spring 2018 service trip was Alyson Messersmith, speech language pathologist with Children’s Therapy T.E.A.M.  This was also her first time to serve for TEAMworks.
 

Describe your TEAMworks experience in 3-5 words?

Inspiring, Rewarding, Unforgettable

Was there a child who most "pulled your heartstrings"? If so, please describe meeting the child for the first time.

Seeing the smiles and laughs when first interacting with the children we would be evaluating and treating will forever be a memory I hold close to my heart. The kiddos were filled with such strength, love, and hope.

How has TEAMworks outreach made an impact on the child's life?

I never knew how much of a difference you could make on children’s lives in just one week before visiting Guatemala. Being able to provide these kiddos with resources, equipment, education, and support they do not have access to is life changing. I still think about the sweet souls I saw and pray for their continued progress.

How has your involvement in the TEAMworks outreach impacted you?
Not only has involvement in TEAMworks outreach allowed me to grow as a therapist, but also as a person. Our jobs can be challenging at times, but nothing beats the rewarding, humbling feeling of making an impact in a child’s life.

What years did you serve?

2018

 

One of our longest standing relationships and partnerships in Guatemala is with Diana Monzon de Matheu. She was gracious enough to tell us her side of the story and how TEAMworks has made an impact on her life. Check out her story below!

Tell us how you came to know about TEAMworks and how your relationship has evolved?

I met TEAMworks while I was working at Anini as a special education teacher. I helped them translate to communicate with the nannies. Right now, I have the blessing to say they come to visit my own non-profit, Learning Spot, and help my kids. Also, I have been their contact for the local University where they have come to teach our special education students.

Describe your experience with TEAMworks in 3-5 words?

A blessing to my kids.

Was there one vivid memory of TEAMworks you can remember?

When you were able to bring a wheelchair and give it to one of our kids. He immediately started to move around with it! His face of pure joy was priceless!

How has TEAMworks outreach made an impact on the life of the children you work with?

They help us improve their quality of life. They give us a complete view of the needs of our children and how to serve them with all disciplines. It helps give us new techniques and activities to help rehabilitate them better.

How has your involvement with TEAMworks outreach impacted you?

For me, it has been such a blessing! All the therapists are amazing people and I have learned so much from them, especially their passion and love for working with kids who have special needs. I have been fortunate to travel to Children’s Therapy T.E.A.M. in Arkansas to visit the clinic and gain as many ideas as I can to bring them back to Learning Spot to better serve my kids.

TEAMworks is SO grateful for the work Diana and her staff are doing at Learning Spot and are so excited to see how our partnership progresses to serve so many kids in the Guatemala community.

 

If you feel led to support TEAMworks, please click below to purchase our TEAMworks 2018 Fundraising T-Shirt! 100% of the proceeds go to TEAMworks!

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