Will you help a Rotary brother in time of need?

Club Foundation Update:  Thanks to the GENEROSITY of several club members, our ACTION to help club member Osman recover from financial hardship due to severe health problems is now complete! Thanks!

Our Rotary brother Osman Castañeda of Guatemala has suffered a calamity this past year due to botched gallbladder surgery. Guatemala medical facilities (except for the wealthy) are some of the worst in Latin America.  With government corruption and fraud at the highest level in history, public hospitals have been closing due to lack of medical supplies, equipment and operating funds.  Patients must purchase their own medications—even supplies and equipment—and have a family member present 24 hours a day to attend to pre and post-surgery needs.

Earlier this year, Osman underwent gall stone surgery at a Guatemalan public hospital and paid severe consequences. Staff lost his medical records—permanently.  Months after surgery it was discovered that the catheter implanted was the wrong size and shape and remained in his body for eight months instead of the normal three-month period, resulting in extreme pain and infection.

After enduring pain for months, a second doctor recommended emergency extraction of the catheter.  Osman, age 27, is currently recuperating from this second operation.  He is still paying off the debt from his first surgery, despite the fact that his employer, Adopt-a-Village in Guatemala, a small nonprofit, paid for 75% of the costs. (Osman is an excellent teacher and indispensable manager of the Maya Jaguar High School).

He is also a dedicated and active Rotarian as a member of the State of Jefferson Rotary eClub.  Additionally, he oversees a group of new eRotaractors who work and study at the school he manages. A dollar goes a lot farther in Guatemala than it does in the USA. If you can pitch in even a few dollars to help Osman pay off his $2,000 medical bills during this difficult time, we know that he would be very grateful. Donations made to our 501(c)3 foundation will be forwarded to Adopt-A-Village for disbursement at their discretion. Thank you for your consideration.