NOV. 2007: REPORT ON MEDICAL CLINIC OPERATIONS
The services we offer are greatly used by the people of Cozumel. Each month we serve approximately 1,700 individuals in
various areas. There are plans to bring specialists such as a neurologist into the institution because of the difficulty in finding
medical specialists in Cozumel. Cruz Roja offers laboratory services, nurses, dentists, family doctors and pediatricians as well
as ultrasound at less cost compared with other private hospitals on the island. Current charges for an office visit to a family
doctor is 120 pesos, to a pediatrician is 150 pesos, the second visit is discounted and the third is free. Dental services are free
with the exception that patients must pay for materials used during procedures. Fees are based on continued operation of the
institution without severely hurtng the pockets of Cozumeleños. There are no plans to increase the cost of services, rather, ways
are being sought to reduce the costs. The Red Cross is in a difficult time now because some of their benefactors have reduced
their support, but the charges for services provided have been sufficient to continue operations.
The services we offer are greatly used by the people of Cozumel. Each month we serve approximately 1,700 individuals in
various areas. There are plans to bring specialists such as a neurologist into the institution because of the difficulty in finding
medical specialists in Cozumel. Cruz Roja offers laboratory services, nurses, dentists, family doctors and pediatricians as well
as ultrasound at less cost compared with other private hospitals on the island. Current charges for an office visit to a family
doctor is 120 pesos, to a pediatrician is 150 pesos, the second visit is discounted and the third is free. Dental services are free
with the exception that patients must pay for materials used during procedures. Fees are based on continued operation of the
institution without severely hurtng the pockets of Cozumeleños. There are no plans to increase the cost of services, rather, ways
are being sought to reduce the costs. The Red Cross is in a difficult time now because some of their benefactors have reduced
their support, but the charges for services provided have been sufficient to continue operations.
MPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS
ACTION REQUIRED
In responding to accidents, disasters and other events, the Red Cross finds many victims without ID but with cell phones.
Due to long address books in the phones, the responders are unable to determine whom to contact in case of emergency.
The International Red Cross requests that everyone enter emergency contacts in their cell phones as "AA-Emergency
Contact" so that it will appear at or near the top of the address book. Labels for close relatives (spouse, mother/father,
aunt/uncle, cousin) and employers also help in case the emergency contact can't be reached.
The American Red Cross has adopted "ICE" (in case of emergency) for this, but the "AA" is better for responders in
non-English speaking countries.
ACTION REQUIRED
In responding to accidents, disasters and other events, the Red Cross finds many victims without ID but with cell phones.
Due to long address books in the phones, the responders are unable to determine whom to contact in case of emergency.
The International Red Cross requests that everyone enter emergency contacts in their cell phones as "AA-Emergency
Contact" so that it will appear at or near the top of the address book. Labels for close relatives (spouse, mother/father,
aunt/uncle, cousin) and employers also help in case the emergency contact can't be reached.
The American Red Cross has adopted "ICE" (in case of emergency) for this, but the "AA" is better for responders in
non-English speaking countries.
Photo courtesy of Peri Miller
SAIL 2008 LAS FINCAS EVENT - 25 JANUARY, 2008
About Las Fincas
Las Fincas is government land which was granted to indigenous
Mayans to homestead as a self-governing commune many, many
years ago. Current residents are descendants who have inherited
the right to occupy and use the land under certain restrictions. The
residents don’t have basic municipal services, such as running
water, sewers, electric service and paved roads. Its location
isolates it from the rest of the community and, as a result, the
people of Las Fincas are often forgotten by those who offer
humanitarian assistance.
We first heard about Las Fincas from “Scuba” Tony Anschutz,
a local dive operator, who helped the community re-roof their
homes after Hurricane Wilma in October, 2005. In August of 2007,
Tony was kind enough to take us there for a tour and introduce us to some of the
residents. Living conditions are ”rough” at best. Regulations limit home size and
most are single-room. Many are built of salvaged materials -- pallets, cardboard,
steel sheet, etc. -- some are constructed of concrete block, while others are built in
the traditional Mayan stick style. (There are a few modern villas that have been built
by outsiders and speculators and their legality is in dispute.) Water comes in bottles,
hauled up the road. Cooking is over open fire as most residents can’t afford bottled
gas. The people are very nice and welcoming.
Official estimates put the population at 2000, mostly children. According to the
Federal Secretariat of the Interior, this area has one of the highest poverty indexes in
Mexico. After approximately 18 years of neglect, Cozumel’s government recently
embraced Las Fincas and its problems and began to take action. Initiatives for the
area include a new bus route to schools and markets and promoting construction of
ecological septic wells by residents. Cozumel’s department of Social Services is
trying to resolve the land-rights problems. And this past summer, it sponsored a deal
whereby Las Fincas residents could buy water-storage tanks at half price. The
sanitation department is also cooperating with the residents to provide additional
containers, improve collections, and curtail the dumping of trash there by outsiders.
About S.A.I.L. 2008
The group that will visit Cozumel consists of women loosely affiliated by a common
interest. Thirty one (31) come from 15 different cities located in three US states and
one woman is from Argentina. They are Christian women representing several
different church denominations. The original goal of SAIL (Solid Assurance In the
Lord) was for women to get together, take a cruise, have a good time, and spend
time in Bible Study and fellowship.
On their 3rd annual trip in January, 2007, they decided to undertake charity work for
the first time. Though the efforts of Deb Bollag, founder of the US-based Friends of
Cruz Roja Cozumel, and Cruz Roja Cozumel's Consejo, they furnished many
necessary items to the D.I.F.'s three day care centers and to the Cruz Roja. They
were grateful to provide substantial assistance and have the satisfaction of adding a
charity event to their cruise vacation. (To see more about this event, click here.)
They resolved to return and help others in 2008 and again, contacted Deb and the
Cruz Roja. Together it was decided to help the Las Fincas area as well as bring
supplies to the NUAFA day care center and the Cruz Roja.
Now, one of SAIL's main goals is to reach out to the people of Cozumel and to give
some short-term relief that will make an impact on this community. Cozumel is the
only location that SAIL helps in this way and the women are busy soliciting funds and
goods to bring to Las Fincas.
Local government agencies and charities have been invited to participate in this
event to make it a success. The #1 priority of SAIL is to share the love of Jesus Christ
with the people of Cozumel.
SAIL’s Goals at Las Fincas
Short-Term Aid to 50 Targeted Families and 7 Elderly Individuals Who Are Alone:
Deliver food, basic health, and hygiene supplies, and household goods at an
approximate cost of $100US per family; Bring new and used clothing for distribution
as well as other requested items. In interviews with Las Fincas residents, other
useful items were needed such as high-quality tarps for window covers and roofing,
enameled-steel cooking pots and steel cooking utensils.
Presenting Information for Long-Term Benefit to the Community: Emergency
information and procedures (Fire, First Aid & Medical, Hurricane, etc.) and
presentation on Public and Private Programs available for health, child care,
education and skills training, and other services.
Participanting Groups:
Event Organizers & Contact Information
Deborah Bollag, Friends of Cruz Roja Cozumel. Email deb@cruzrojacozumel.org
Ilene Kendrick, S.A.I.L. Email ikendrick@austincollege.edu
About Las Fincas
Las Fincas is government land which was granted to indigenous
Mayans to homestead as a self-governing commune many, many
years ago. Current residents are descendants who have inherited
the right to occupy and use the land under certain restrictions. The
residents don’t have basic municipal services, such as running
water, sewers, electric service and paved roads. Its location
isolates it from the rest of the community and, as a result, the
people of Las Fincas are often forgotten by those who offer
humanitarian assistance.
We first heard about Las Fincas from “Scuba” Tony Anschutz,
a local dive operator, who helped the community re-roof their
homes after Hurricane Wilma in October, 2005. In August of 2007,
Tony was kind enough to take us there for a tour and introduce us to some of the
residents. Living conditions are ”rough” at best. Regulations limit home size and
most are single-room. Many are built of salvaged materials -- pallets, cardboard,
steel sheet, etc. -- some are constructed of concrete block, while others are built in
the traditional Mayan stick style. (There are a few modern villas that have been built
by outsiders and speculators and their legality is in dispute.) Water comes in bottles,
hauled up the road. Cooking is over open fire as most residents can’t afford bottled
gas. The people are very nice and welcoming.
Official estimates put the population at 2000, mostly children. According to the
Federal Secretariat of the Interior, this area has one of the highest poverty indexes in
Mexico. After approximately 18 years of neglect, Cozumel’s government recently
embraced Las Fincas and its problems and began to take action. Initiatives for the
area include a new bus route to schools and markets and promoting construction of
ecological septic wells by residents. Cozumel’s department of Social Services is
trying to resolve the land-rights problems. And this past summer, it sponsored a deal
whereby Las Fincas residents could buy water-storage tanks at half price. The
sanitation department is also cooperating with the residents to provide additional
containers, improve collections, and curtail the dumping of trash there by outsiders.
About S.A.I.L. 2008
The group that will visit Cozumel consists of women loosely affiliated by a common
interest. Thirty one (31) come from 15 different cities located in three US states and
one woman is from Argentina. They are Christian women representing several
different church denominations. The original goal of SAIL (Solid Assurance In the
Lord) was for women to get together, take a cruise, have a good time, and spend
time in Bible Study and fellowship.
On their 3rd annual trip in January, 2007, they decided to undertake charity work for
the first time. Though the efforts of Deb Bollag, founder of the US-based Friends of
Cruz Roja Cozumel, and Cruz Roja Cozumel's Consejo, they furnished many
necessary items to the D.I.F.'s three day care centers and to the Cruz Roja. They
were grateful to provide substantial assistance and have the satisfaction of adding a
charity event to their cruise vacation. (To see more about this event, click here.)
They resolved to return and help others in 2008 and again, contacted Deb and the
Cruz Roja. Together it was decided to help the Las Fincas area as well as bring
supplies to the NUAFA day care center and the Cruz Roja.
Now, one of SAIL's main goals is to reach out to the people of Cozumel and to give
some short-term relief that will make an impact on this community. Cozumel is the
only location that SAIL helps in this way and the women are busy soliciting funds and
goods to bring to Las Fincas.
Local government agencies and charities have been invited to participate in this
event to make it a success. The #1 priority of SAIL is to share the love of Jesus Christ
with the people of Cozumel.
SAIL’s Goals at Las Fincas
Short-Term Aid to 50 Targeted Families and 7 Elderly Individuals Who Are Alone:
Deliver food, basic health, and hygiene supplies, and household goods at an
approximate cost of $100US per family; Bring new and used clothing for distribution
as well as other requested items. In interviews with Las Fincas residents, other
useful items were needed such as high-quality tarps for window covers and roofing,
enameled-steel cooking pots and steel cooking utensils.
Presenting Information for Long-Term Benefit to the Community: Emergency
information and procedures (Fire, First Aid & Medical, Hurricane, etc.) and
presentation on Public and Private Programs available for health, child care,
education and skills training, and other services.
Participanting Groups:
- Sponsor: Cruz Roja Mexicana, Delegacion Cozumel
Jose de la Fuente, President, Diana Castillo, Director - US Friends of Cruz Roja Cozumel - Deborah Bollag, Founder
- Cozumel Department of Social Services
Troy Becerra Palma, Director - Cozumel Department of Civil Protection & the Fire Department
Cesar Viveros Cubillos, Director, Carlos Delgado, Deputy Director - D.I.F Dalila Negron, President; Berta Rosado, Director
- Chrysalis Group
- Jesus is Rey Church
- Interested Individuals
Event Organizers & Contact Information
Deborah Bollag, Friends of Cruz Roja Cozumel. Email deb@cruzrojacozumel.org
Ilene Kendrick, S.A.I.L. Email ikendrick@austincollege.edu
Las Fincas
Typical home.
At the home of one of the families we met.
Las Fincas' church.
The small NUAFA day care center in San Miguel
COZ GETS 2 NEW AMBULANCES!
The days of searching for parts to keep the aged, US-built
Ford ambulances on the road are over! Through special
fundraisers, such as the Casino Night, a charitable grant
and the National Collection, Cruz Roja took delivery of their
first Mexican-built ambulance in April. A second one was
delivered this fall. Everyone at Cruz Roja is very happy to
serve Cozumel with these locally-servicable vehicles with
all-new medical equipment.
The days of searching for parts to keep the aged, US-built
Ford ambulances on the road are over! Through special
fundraisers, such as the Casino Night, a charitable grant
and the National Collection, Cruz Roja took delivery of their
first Mexican-built ambulance in April. A second one was
delivered this fall. Everyone at Cruz Roja is very happy to
serve Cozumel with these locally-servicable vehicles with
all-new medical equipment.