medical missions unlimited trip to chiapas, mexico (9/6-13/08)

Medical Missions UnlimitedTrip to Chiapas, Mexico (9/6-13/08)

Chiapas, Mexico

DemographicsThe People• Economically Challenged –

primarily poor, rural farmers• 25% are predominantly of

Mayan decent and do not speak Spanish

• Approximately 40% of the population is malnourished

• 89% earn less than $3,500/yr

• Less than 50% of the households have running water

The Land• Humid, Tropical (the

highlands can average 120 inches of rain/ year

• Many areas have no roads• There are 32 Zapatista

Municipalities in Chiapas• Conquered by Spain in the

early 16th century• Focal Point of the Zapatista

Rebellion in 1994

San Cristobal de Las Casas

Built in the 1500’s, primarily a tourist destination for Europeans and Australians, Approx. 200,000 residents

Hotel Jardein and The Shawver’s

L-R: BARBARA BENTLEY, DR. RICHARD YOUNG, MELISSA FRIEDRICH, DAVID ROBERTS, CATHY MOORE, RN

The MMU Team

Triage

Our First Stop in Occosingo

How Did We Travel? (video)

AccessibilityRoads Communications

Our Second Stop – Zapata3 Generations Live Here (9 People– apprx. 450 sq ft)Kitchen and Bath Facilities

Esteban’s HouseClinic, Dinner, Church and Hotel

The Faces of Zapata

Currency

Gracious Hosts

The People of La Ceyba (video)

What Did We Find?• Our first Stop – TB, Typhoid and Scabies in one

house – 3 generations (very common)

• Kids = Intestinal Parasites, Scabies, Seizures, Dental Issues

• Adults = Joint Pain, Headaches, Parasites, Hernias, Cancer, Diabetes, Hypertension

• Treated over 140 patients in 8 Villages

Jose Luis and Eloy Martines

The Children of Tacuba – Live Like a Rock Star

Why Go?