What We're Up To
While $503,000 is a lofty goal, to build the clinic to start we need about $75k. That is only 300 people to donate $250. Little by little, we will reach our ultimate goal. See this grow from the ground up. We can do this!! Two years ago I moved my family to the panama jungle to experience a different way of life and it was very obvious right away that something needed to be done to help. The families of the region just go without healthcare because it’s too far, and too costly for them to get to services so medical and dental problems just go untreated. We are building a modern Medical and Dental clinic for the under served and impoverished people of our region.
After a week living in the Panama Jungle we were just settling in one evening, and a horse rapidly approached the cabin. Through the door I heard a stranger call out for help. He started telling us his 2 year old son was struggling to breathe and was salivating. Asking a stranger for help is not an easy thing here, but he had no where else to go. All he knew is that we had a truck. He could see it from across the river. We loaded up and drove through the river and up the other hill. I had seen difficulty breathing with stridor and drooling several times as a medic in Washington state, but I had nothing to treat him with. The family climbed in the truck and we headed for the hospital in Tonosi, down a long bumpy road. Since we've been here this has become a familiar story and word got around quickly that I was a paramedic. We do a lot of wound care and assessments daily, and a lot of trips to town. It was obvious early on that something needed to be done. There is no affordable options for these families to get to medical services. We are creating a medical and dental mission clinic for the impoverished and afflicted people of the region here in Panama. "Clinica Campesina" (farmworkers clinic) will be a modern clinic in a remote setting providing services not available in the area. But I can't do it alone. This is a project that will affect thousands of people for years and years.
My background is in construction, sales, paramedic, and management. I have built four of my own homes, including one here in Panama. I also owned a small business in Washington for ten years and volunteered in numerous roles. I first came to Panama for the beaches, mountains, jungles, and wildlife, and to experience a different way of life with my wife and children. I fell in love with Panama because of the people. Good, kindhearted people who share everything they have, even in their need. They help each other every day. It is their only resource. What they lack is healthcare. Jobs and healthcare are hard to come by here. While I don't have much to offer them but a bandage, blood pressure check, or ride to town, I do have the ability to organize and build this facility. We also have medical personal already waiting to come. We can improve their lives and reduce suffering with medical and dental care, and at the same time provide some sustainable jobs for the area. We have become family to them, and this is the best I can do to help. I know their struggles. I want to make their lives better as they have made mine. We can all be a part of this!
The project includes a modern medical and dental facility including all equipment and supplies, cafe for staff and patients of the clinic who travel long distances for medical care, housing for mission medical staff, and the remodel of an existing two bedroom house for caretakers, storage, medical supplies, housekeeping linens, and overflow. Transportation is a major issue in the surrounding areas, so a transport van is also in the budget, along with an off-road quad for hard to reach patients.
Clinica Campesina will give these families an option for care instead of just doing without, and improve lives and reduce suffering of so many families for years to come. Our local response and support has been overwhelming. We already have a partnership with the health district of the Los Santos province, the closest hospital in Tonosi, governmental approval, and best of all, a local landowner donated 10 roadside acres and an existing hilltop house to help jump start the project. Clinica Campesina will give modern health services to afflicted people that have little or no resources for medical and dental care. Nor do they have the funds to travel to these services. Typically it costs a day's pay just to get to a hospital that rarely has full services and is often missing lab and x-ray, and sometimes a physician. Then it is 60 miles over the mountains to a bigger hospital. The clinic will also create local support jobs in transportation, cooking, housekeeping, and tourism, as well as boosting the economy of the local artisans. Jobs are hard to come by on the peninsula, and sustainable employment will bless the community for years to come. It was very emotional this past week when I left to organize this project. They know what I am trying to do, and it was all hugs and tears as I left the village.
What We Need
Here's a breakdown in more detail:
- Our best estimates for the entire project is right at $500,000. The first half covers the structures and furnishings and transport vehicles. Fortunately building costs in rural Panama are quite low. The initial $75k will build the clinic structure. The rest for medical and dental equipment. Here is the end goal.
- 1550 square foot medical/dental clinic including plans, permit, materials, labor, and property improvements including septic and meter $75,000
- Covered outdoor cafe with kitchen equipment and furniture $8,000
- 2 mini cottages for staff, furnished $16,000
- Remodel of existing 2 bedroom house including new roof $6,000
- Road Improvement of about 12 loads of gravel and a dozer $2,800
- Air Conditioning for clinic and guest housing. $6,000
- Frequent power failures in the area require a little extra on the electrical. Diesel Generator and UPS (uninterruptable power supply) $6000
- Security Camera system with Install $1000
- Portable Mixer (No cement truck in rural Panama, all hand shoveled and mixed on-site). Various hand tools, wheelbarrows, shovels and picks $4,500
- Iron security fencing with footings and fencing, $18,000
- Transport Van (slightly used) Toyota diesel 14 passenger $25,000
- Offroad 4 seat quad for hard to reach patients and staff transport $15,000
- Reconditioned Autoclave for sterilizing instruments $4000
- In ground therapy pool with covers and maintenance equipment $10,000
- Medical and dental office furniture, exam table, lab, dental chair, suction and other equipment $167,000
- Panoramic Dental x-ray $20,000, Medical x-ray Refurb $ Want
- 12 lead EKG defibrulator and Istat for labs $12,000
- Vstat wireless transmittable ultrasound with shipping $8,200
- Communication installation for wifi and telephone $3,500
- Resident ER Doctor the first year to establish procedure and policy $45,000
- Small Pharmacy stores including most common medications $2.500
- While there will be travel, shipping containers, and other expenses involved, we will do our best to limit these costs to focus solely on completing the complex. I am adding another $25,000 for the unknown of a project this size. Remaining funds will be used to enhance the clinic, add satellite clinics and make Clinica Campesina a positive experience for both patients and medical staff.
The Impact
Once in a while something comes up that can change so many lives in a positive way. A little help from everybody will affect an entire region of families for years and years. Providing jobs to the economically depressed, providing health and dental care, improving overall well being, and giving hope to those who see very little opportunity. Many of my neighbors have said no one has ever done anything like this for them. No one has ever helped, and they are forgotten. It is hard to explain the gratitude and hugs and tears as I left the village.
If we can change one life the possibilities are an infinite benefit to the world. But we will change many lives and make one more corner of the world a better place.
I have been blessed with many experiences in my life to lead me to this point. What am I to do? Sit and watch, or do something? I have chosen to do something. I am an adventurous soul with a variety of experience in key areas to help me complete the project. I spent ten years in a family construction business before I took a job in sales and helped build a small business into a thriving success. At 36 I joined a local fire department after building my first house. I was offered a chance to be an EMT, and I loved it. I worked couple of years as an EMT and then went to paramedic school at Columbia Basin College. I excelled as a medic and took a field medic/supervisor position for the next several years. Through all this we operated a small business in Washington for ten years. Two years ago we sold everything we had, and each of us came to Panama with a suitcase and a carry on and built a new adventure. Over time I have built four of my own homes, including 1 in Panama. I know what the costs are, how things work here, and have the contacts and support of local officials. The house I built here is roughly the same size as the clinic, and it is a beautiful, but simple home. I have also volunteered much of my life in various roles in my community, have a love for people, and I have a positive outlook and a talent for getting things completed.
Risks & Challenges
One thing I have learned about life is unexpected things happen. I understand and anticipate this will be the case, and that is why we have done so much legwork to overcome potential hurdles before announcing the project to the world. We have the population data, patient data from each community, government approval, support of the hospital district, inspectors, and the community. The project took a huge leap three weeks ago when a local land owner donated 10 acres and a house. We have donated each year to the fire department and police funds in the municipal city that oversees the area, and this has helped us tremendously. The past two years we have given Christmas gifts to all the children of Agua Buena and the island (Isla Canas), We have complete support and blessings of the area leaders and residents. This will help solve potential problems along the way and minimize obstacles. And I know this about myself, that there is always another way, or a better way. I am open to that, and with the track record I have of completing projects we are very confident that it will come to completion.
By having such overwhelming support, any challenges we face will be dealt with in the best interest of the Mission, in accordance to local laws and procedures. Help has been offered by area officials and they are willing to help with "anything we need". I know their resources are limited too, but having their support is a blessing. We also have an area contractor that has offered his services, and the expertise of an advising nurse, PA, electrician, dentist, and a doctor. Shall we not reach our goal? There are areas we can scale back. We will make do with less until we can find the funds. The house could serve as a basic service in the short term. Also, there are other needs in the community that the funds could be dedicated for. Many, Many people need glasses, The school needs a library, WIFI, and computers. After 60 years the school just got electricity a few months ago. There are a ton of needs on the island, Updating the community water systems is another option. GI problems are numerous, and that would also improve health and well being. The funds are dedicated to help the impoverished of our region.
Other Ways You Can Help
Share, Share, Share!! Your donations are crucial to the success of the project, and then share it on all your social media. Some of you can't contribute, but that doesn't mean you can't help.
- Make some noise about the campaign with the office, friends, and media
- Put an office pool together. A few dollars from everyone is powerful!
- Also remember to use the Indiegogo share tools! An easy and fast way.
- When you share, add a personal recommendation to the post
- And thank you from everyone in Agua Buena, Panama, and all the surrounding communities!
- Plan to come! We love visitors. If you want to see the growth of the project, the land, or want to serve when the clinic opens, come see us. Seeing rural Panama is a sight to see. Experiencing the people and the culture will change you for a lifetime.