Category: Notes from the Field

Founder and President of the Tia Foundation provides her journals of the foundations work in rural Mexico.

All Set for March!

We had a great meeting with Jorge Garibay, General Manager at the Grand Bay Hotel-Isla Navidad Resort.  From left to right, Laura Libman (Tia Foundation) with Dr. Roberto Martinez, Dr. Francisco Enrique Castenada Rico and Dr. Enrique Castenada all from UAG‘s Programa de Medicina en la Communidad, made the trip to Barra de Navidad to make plans for the next project launch nearby. Part of a world class medical program, these doctors will lead a brigade of 30-40 medical students and professors who provide the incredibly comprehensive training the fortunate Tia Promotoras receive. 

Lic. Garibay and our friends at the Isla Navidad Resort are providing us with much needed space and volunteers.  Jorge Garibay is also helping us coordinate with the local municipality and community organizations. The project will be held the week of March 19th and the graduation on Friday, March 23rd.  Some of our donors plan to be guests at this luxury resort while they attend the graduation ceremony and stay for a relaxing short vacation afterward. 

Stay tuned!  More details to come…

Graduating Class from Ixtlahuacan del Rio

Here is the graduating class from Ixtlahuacan del Rio.  Standing in the back is Dr. Roberto (the tall young man), to his right is Dr. Rico.  Next to Dr. Rico is the Municipal President Roberto Martinez and his wife, Sra. Maria Teresa, the President of DIF (Desarrollo Integral de la Familia), and then Laura Libman (Tia).  Many of the Promotoras proudly display their framed diplomas. For a list of the graduates and the communities they represent, click here: List of Promotoras Ixtlahuacan del Rio Jalisco.

Historic Graduation for Tia!

Today in Ixtlahuacan del Rio, Tia passes the 100 Promotora mark by quite a bit; now there are 120!  At the lovely graduation ceremony, a spokeperson for the Promotoras gave a heartfelt speech thanking UAG’s PMC Brigade, the Tia Foundation and its generous donors, and the municipality and explaining the importance of the accomplishment for each of them.

From left to right seated at the table is Dr. Miguelangel, Dr. Roberto, Dr. Rico (all from PMC), Laura Libman (Tia), Sra. Maria Teresa (DIF) and Presidente Municipal Roberto Martinez Delgado.  The Municipality threw a big party for everyone afterward with delicious tacos and torta ahogadas.

More pics to come…

Medical Kit and Bags Ready to Go

Dr Francisco Rico will be helping Laura carry all the supplies to Ixtlahuacan del Rio.  Since one van is not large enough for everything, Laura’s taxi drive friend, Juan Fonseca will be accompanying her in another van.  Juan has been volunteering for Tia for two years, helping Laura gather supplies and he is excited to see a graduation ceremony.

They will meet the amazing members of UAG‘s Programa de Medicina en la Comunidad (PMC) Brigade of 40 professors, doctors and students.  These committed brigade members provide the education for the Promotoras, free health care for the community members, and educational classes for the schools and resident.

Check back later for pictures of the graduation ceremony!

First Skills Practiced on Dr. Rico

Some of the most important skills are learned first and Dr. Francisco Rico from Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara’s (UAG)  Programa de Medicina en la Comunidad offers his arm and his teaching skills.  The Promotoras in training hit the ground running today!  They learned how to take temperatures, blood pressure and how to do a preliminary assessment on the patients who are also their neighbors.  There will be 22 new Tia Promotoras at the end of the week, bringing the grand total to 120!  More pictures and updates to come…