Program areas at ODIM
In 2023, Clínica Sanjuanerita (San Juan La Laguna) and Clínica Chuitinamit (San Pablo La Laguna) offered subsidized, primary health care to 2,576 patients, including from 40 surrounding communities. Services provided included 1,427 diabetes treatments, 2,975 laboratory tests, 1,910 family planning methods delivered, 629 antibiotic treatments, 256 prenatal consultations, 98 Bach Flower therapy treatments, and dental care to 448 patients.
High Impact Home Improvements/ Viviendas Saludable Founded in 2018, ODIM's High Impact Home Improvement program aims to improve the health of low-income families in San Pablo and San Juan through impactful home interventions. Families in our program receive efficient, Onil wood-burning stoves that reduce or eliminate smoke in the homes and Ecofiltro water filters, which reduce or eliminate the number of bacteria in drinking water. These two home interventions combat the prevalence of respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses caused by toxic smoke inhalation and consumption of contaminated water. Each family also receives seven educational sessions to learn how to use and maintain these interventions as well as strategies to maintain the overall health and hygiene of the home. In 2023, international volunteers and ODIM staff installed 70 Onil stoves and 81 Ecofilters, benefiting a total of 334 individuals. ODIM health promoters conducted 131 follow-up evaluation interviews to monitor the use and functioning of the interventions. Additionally, 16 water filters were donated to local public schools, benefiting 1,680 students and teachers.
The Mamá y Yo Saludable (Healthy Mommy and Me) program is aimed at improving maternal and child health to combat malnutrition during the first 1,000 days of a child's life. This program involves a monthly educational seminar and support group for expectant and new mothers through age two years of the child. Participants learn about topics such as healthy nutrition during their pregnancy, breast feeding, child nutrition, cooking techniques, hygiene and infant care, vaccinations, family planning methods, and how to resolve emotional conflicts with spouses and other family members. Support groups are led by local health promoters who have been educated by Guatemalan and international health professionals. In 2023, a total of 133 mothers participated in the program, and they received 910 food vouchers to purchase food from local merchants during the year. ODIM health promoters conducted 77 in-person workshops with mothers, held 7 support group meetings, and 24 follow-up appointments to check the height and weight of the children. At the end of the year, 22 mothers and their toddlers graduated from their 1,000 days in the program. Based on regular height and weight measurements of the infants and toddlers, 64% of the children from San Juan and San Pablo in the graduation class achieved a healthy height and weight for a two-year old child. A total of 330 mothers and their children benefited from the program in 2023.
Let's Walk Together/ Caminemos Juntos Diabetes is a widespread health issue in Guatemala that affects 30 % of men and 27%. of women nationally. ODIM's Caminemos Juntos ("Let's Walk Together") diabetes program provides education about living a healthy life with the disease through exercise, cooking classes, and bi-weekly support groups. The program's goal is to empower participants to take control of their health and live the healthiest life possible. Participants also receive health consultations, house visits, regular glucose and A1c checks, and extremely low-cost monthly medicines (at approximately $1.50 per month). Between ODIM's two clinics, we serve over 300 diabetic patients. The majority have Type 2 diabetes. Each year ODIM holds a festival in the community to raise awareness and celebrate our dedicated participants. In 2023, 46 participants were enrolled in the bi-weekly support groups and 45% of them maintained controlled blood sugar levels. ODIM's health promoters conducted48 workshops for participants and distributed 173 food vouchers so participants could purchase food from local merchants. A total of 203 participants and their families benefited from the program in 2023.
The Salud del Adolescente (Adolescent Health) program consists of a five-month course for young people (ages 11-13) from the two communities of San Juan La Laguna and San Pablo La Laguna. Topics include human development and sexuality, birth control, and healthy dating relationships. Graduates serve as peer educators in their communities. In 2023, 47 students (54% girls and 46% boys) graduated from the program. Graduates demonstrated an increase in knowledge from 38% on the pre-test to 89% on the post test. Additionally, ODIM health promoters produced 3 educational videos that were broadcast on local television stations and some graduates conducted community workshops benefiting 111 individuals.
In 2023, ODIM's scholarship program (Alcanzando Sueños) supported 9 children in junior high and 4 in senior high school from San Pablo so they could continue their studies. Each scholarship covers school inscriptions, monthly tuition fees, school supplies, uniforms, and annual medical exams. Eleven students successfully completed the school year and advanced to the next grade level. One high school graduate has enrolled in university studies. The program involves weekly reinforcement classes at ODIM's Clínica Chuitinamit in San Pablo La Laguna. Once a month students participate in some type of community service project such as planting trees or cleaning trash up along the shores of Lake Atitlán. Students and ODIM staff planted 120 trees in San Pablo La Laguna to combat the deforestation problem.