winter newsletter 2013
TRANSCRIPT
United Hearts for Health Winter 2013 1
United Hearts for Health
A health partnership linking Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to Rosita, Nicaragua
In this issue . . .
We at United Hearts for Health are excited to tell you about some of the new directions that are occurring in our group concerning Filtron clay pots and Super Spin. We are also spotlighting several groups of women who are working on the sidelines as support for the medical initiatives United Hearts for Health performs and who are essential to the smooth running and success of our primary mission to help the poor of Rosita improve their health situation.
FILTRON CLAY POT PRODUCTION PLANT TO BECOME A REALITY IN ROSITA
John and Barbara Lent recently returned from Rosita
where they participated in a preliminary study for United
Hearts for Health to research the possibility of building a
Filtron clay pot production plant in Rosita. For the past
five years, Filtrons have been purchased in Managua and
transported by bus 180 miles across rough roads to Rosita.
As you can imagine, many of the pots are cracked or
broken by the time that they arrive. At present, there are
266 families who are using the Filtrons to provide their
families with clean water. They were given to very poor
families without cost to them because of donations from
Fond du Lac Morning Rotary, Sunset Stitchers Quilting
Guild, and Steve and Kay Victor.
John and Barbara met with two members from Potters for
Peace, Robert Pillers and Alvaro Gadea. Potters for Peace is a
Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that consults with
communities all over the world teaching them how to build
Filtron clay pot production plants. They have worked in Africa,
Southeast Asia and many other countries. They do not sell
the Filtrons, but rather they teach communities how to
produce them. The first day in Nicaragua was spent in a town
south of Managua touring an existing Filtron plant and going
through the process of making the Filtrons. The plant that
WINTER 2013
Robert Pillers with a local committee looking at a potential site for the Filtron production plant
Robert Pillers of Potters for Peace with Arely Garcia and Barbara Lent
United Hearts for Health Winter 2013 2
was toured was a beautiful, efficient facility that stressed
quality control. The next day, Barbara, John, Robert
Pillers, and Alvaro Gadea flew to Rosita to find possible
sources of clay around Rosita to make the Filtrons.
Approximately 35 samples were taken in and around
Rosita. They were sent to Managua to be analyzed.
When the results are finalized, a large sample of clay will
be taken from the best source and 15 Filtrons will be
made with this clay and tested for their quality.
It is extremely important that local people from Rosita
assume leadership of this project. Mayor Chico Martinez
is very enthusiastic about the possibility of having a local source of Filtrons which have proved to be so
effective in providing clean water for the citizens of Rosita. Mayor Chico has offered to donate or help
find a piece of property in Rosita to build the plant. Also several citizens of Rosita have volunteered to
serve on the board of directors of the plant. The local people are two Sisters of St. Agnes who live in
Rosita, a business and farm owner, a rural health-care worker, a teacher in Rosita, a member of the
Sister Parish Committee, the administrator of the hospital, and Judith Onsang, daughter of Mayor
Martinez and owner of a pharmacy, who will chair the committee.
It will take approximately 18 months from start to finish to have the production plant up and running in
Rosita, at a cost of between $20,000 and $30,000. Steve and
Kay Victor have continued to support this project, but other
funds will be needed for completion. It is expected that once
the production plant is up and functioning, it should support
itself with sales of the Filtrons. UHH will continue to donate
Filtrons to those families that would otherwise be unable to
purchase them. The Filtrons cost $28 a piece.
The long term effect on the health of the people of Rosita
having a reliable, inexpensive way to provide clean water for
their families will be immeasurable. ~Barbara Lent, RN
Robert Pillers and Dr. John Lent looking
over the production Filtron clay pots
A family with a Filtron clay pot
CHECK OUT UNITED HEARTS FOR HEALTH ONLINE!
United Hearts for Health now has a website and Facebook page. Both
are works in progress, so please check in periodically for updates. We hope to
utilize these as a way to reach and update all members, supporters, and the
greater community on a regular basis. Here are the links and thanks for looking!
http://fdlunitedheartsforhealth.org/ http://www.facebook.com/UnitedHeartsforHealthFdL
~Michelle Ziegelbauer, NP
United Hearts for Health Winter 2013 3
MEDICAL MISSIONARIES: READY TO GO
The 2014 United Hearts for Health Medical Mission
Team has begun preparation for their week of mission
work in Rosita, Nicaragua, January 26 - 31, 2014. Six
physicians and six nurses have generously committed to
taking a week from their work and their families to
provide medical care in an area of northeastern
Nicaragua seldom attended to by their government
medical services. This team will be divided daily into
three smaller teams, and, along with local translators
and nurses to assist, will provide medical services to some of the poorest in the Western Hemisphere in
tropical villages without electricity or clean water...such as Fruta de Pan, Susun, and El Empalme.
Committing themselves unselfishly to this mission are
seasoned medical missionaries and team co-leaders, Dr.
Barbara Zink, Pediatrician from North Bend, Oregon and
Dr. Tom Ries, Gynecologist from Aurora Sheboygan
Memorial Medical Center. The rest of the team are Dr.
Bill Trager, Pediatrician from St. Nicholas Hospital,
Sheboygan, who will be returning to Nicaragua a second
time. Dr. Ayham Chamsedden, Internal Medicine and
Hospitalist for Agnesian HealthCare in Fond du Lac and a
research volunteer in the Department of Endocrinology at
the University of Florida, will be participating in his first UHH Medical Mission. Dr. Vikas Bhatara,
Pulmonologist at Agnesian and his wife Dr. Kavita Sharma Bhatara, Internal Medicine, Hospice, and
Palliatative care in North Chicago, Illinois, will be making their first mission trip with UHH.
Veteran registered nurses returning to Nicaragua are Ruth Cunzenheim, Cardiology, Lisa Leblanc and
Jami Schoenborn, ICU, all from Agnesian. Katie Herzog, RN, from Aurora, Sheboygan, will be making her
second trip to Nicaragua. Participating in their first trip will be RNs Kirstin Koll of Aurora Sheboygan
Memorial Medical Center, Obstetrics, and Linda Danor, St. Agnes Hospital Administrative Supervisor.
Continuing to assist UHH in its medical missions is translator and native Nicaraguan Flavio Araña. He
will again accompany these missionaries to provide much appreciated language and cultural assistance.
We are grateful for the generosity of these medical missionaries for committing their time and service.
We are also grateful to the generosity of donors who help to make these mission trips possible.
~Marcie Janz, Mission Trip Facilitator
A rural area visited by the 2013 mission team
ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY METHOD FOR NEWSLETTER
If you are interested in receiving your UHH Newsletter electronically, please let us know by e-mailing your preference to [email protected]. Future issues will then be sent to you via e-mail.
A rural area visited by the 2013 mission
United Hearts for Health Winter 2013 4
DRESSES AND MORE DRESSES
The sea container for Rosita left in late June filled
with close to 150 handmade sun dresses for the
little girls and some of the older girls in Rosita.
Two different groups and an individual made the
large number of dresses and one group also made
shorts for the boys. Jean Killinger’s sewing
machine was again humming this spring. She
alone made at least one-third of the dresses.
Sunset Stitchers, a local quilting guild made not
only dresses but 13 pairs of shorts for little boys.
They also made a contribution to buy Filtron Clay
Pots. Three members of another quilting guild,
Heart n Hand, Mary Walrath, Kathy Simon, and
Sharon Reber made more dresses with purses to
match. The smiles on the faces of the girls of Rosita when they receive one of these beautiful dresses
are a delight to behold. ~Barbara Lent, RN
Three girls, part of a family of nine, show off the sun
dresses made by Fond du Lac groups supporting
United Hearts for Health
REMEMBERING MAYLING
This past September Mayling Onsang Peralta died to be
with her Lord forever. All of us join her husband, Chico, her
entire family, and all those who have known her in their
grieving and prayer.
Mayling visited Fond du Lac in 2005 where she received
medical and surgical care. She spent several weeks in our
community where she befriended and charmed all whom
she met. Who of us on the UHH health care teams in Rosita
will ever forget the sumptuous pollo, pescado, and
camarones … or the sopas, chow mein and postres? Any
intention of losing weight in Rosita was dashed by the
savory fragrances emanating from Mayling’s kitchen. And
who will ever forget her ready smile, quiet laughter, and
gentle kindness?
Mayling was a true and faithful friend. We always will remember this extraordinary and deeply good
person. ~Dr. John E. Lent
Mayline Onsang Peralta, a great friend of
United Hearts for Health who passed away
recently.
United Hearts for Health Winter 2013 5
SUPER SPIN 2014— NEW PARTNERSHIP
The 10th annual Super Spin Saturday will have a new look. As you can see from the revised logo above,
United Hearts for Health has partnered with the Fond du Lac Family YMCA for the January 18th
event. The health of the children is important both in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and in Rosita,
Nicaragua. The children in Rosita need access to clean water and health care, while the children in
Fond du Lac need access to wellness programs that support healthy, active lifestyles. Funds raised
from the event will be utilized to help to bring about these goals.
For all the details on how you can help raise funds by participating in this indoor cycling event, go to
the Fond du Lac Family YMCA’s website at http://www.fdlymca.org/events.html or call them at 920-921-
3330 for more information on how to secure a spot for this exciting event. ~Barbara Lent
United Hearts for Health Mission Statement We propose to join the faith journey of Holy Family Parish in its twinning relationship with Santa Rosa Parish by
facilitating a Fond du Lac community effort to assist in raising the standard of healthcare and promoting a more healthy environment in Rosita, Nicaragua, and the surrounding rural areas.
This long-term relationship will seek to work in partnership with the people of Rosita, its healthcare and church community and Nicaraguan government, while recognizing the dignity and the many talents of the people we hope to serve.
Contact Information: United Hearts for Health, c/o Holy Family Parish, 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac, WI 54937 Contact Phone Numbers: M. Janz (920) 923-2446; M. Cappellari (920) 923-0155
Suggestions or Comments: E-mail [email protected]
United Hearts for Health Winter 2013 6
With your generosity, United Hearts for Health will be able to continue carrying on our
mission to improve the health of the people of Rosita. Thank You!
Please make your check payable to UHH/Holy Family Send to: United Hearts for Health, 271 Fourth St. Way, Fond du Lac, WI 54937 Name __________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________
MAKING THE IMPOSSIBLE...POSSIBLE
Behind every annual medical mission to Rosita are scores of volunteers who make what could be impossible...possible. Witness Sharon Reber, a long-time supporter of United Hearts for Health.
Sharon is the communications whiz who has turned photos from Nicaragua into computerized presentations that help tell the story of UHH. Now she also maintains and updates the Excel spread-sheets that track fund-raising income and expenses of the organization. Describing herself as "crafty," Sharon also is known for the beautiful small dresses she makes for Nicaraguan girls who may never have had one.
Sharon and her late husband, Joe, went on a two-week mission trip to Belize in 2001. They mixed concrete, hauled cement blocks, performed a myriad of other chores, lived in a grass hut...and loved it. Later, Dr. Tom Freeman and his wife, Mary, asked Sharon for help when UHH began its mission work.
Sharon and Joe Reber grew up and went to college in and around Milwaukee. They were married after Joe had circled the world three times as a naval officer, and the two moved to Fond du Lac in 1975.
Joe was a businessman, banker, and at one time head of the Waupun Chamber of Commerce. He was a long-time Boy Scout leader...and especially proud of the young men he helped guide toward Eagle.
Sharon has worked in a top Milwaukee advertising agency, G & L and St. Joseph's School in Fond du Lac, and Ripon College. She has a daughter, son-in-law, and grandson in the Twin Cities. While visiting them, Sharon and her daughter deliver unique seasonal crafts they have made for sale in Minnesota boutiques.
In Fond du Lac, Sharon Reber is a member of the Heart n Hands Quilt Guild which currently is involved in sewing projects for the new Children's Museum, the Solutions Center, and the women's prison at Taycheedah.
Sharon Reber knows that in reaching out to help others, one receives joy back a hundred-fold. Her faith, her family, and giving of her talents to others are what keeps Sharon Reber going. She wouldn't have it any other way. ~Anne Kaestner
Sharon Reber, a member of the Heart n Hands Quilt Guild, displays one of the many dresses she made
for the girls in Rosita.