La Vida Continua

On the second day of clinic, Mary let me sort through a pile of stickers in Spanish to see if I liked any of them. After a few seconds of using my limited knowledge of the language, one jumped out to me immediately. It read “la vida continua,” or “life continues,” in colorful letters underneath a multicolored graphic of the “take it easy” symbol, the pinky and thumb pointed in the universal gesture. I decided to stick it onto my water bottle, and seeing it there, permanent until I remove it, made me reflect on my time at Ciudad de la Esperanza thus far. 

When I was at the glasses station assisting patients to fit the best fit for them, I thought about how long they must have gone without being able to see the world with clear vision. An older woman sat patiently waiting for Antonio and I to start her eye exam, and when we finally got to her, we were at a standstill. We couldn’t find glasses that would better her vision without harming it in the long term. While Antonio conversed with the woman, I restocked the table full of glasses in hopes to find a better pair. I put a pair of kid sized glasses on the table, not thinking much of it, but those in the end were the perfect fit for her. After some bending of the frames, she stood happily and held up the sign for “perfect” in my direction. Antonio and I watched her walk away, and we looked at each other saying that those glasses were meant to be for her.

I ended my day stationed with Dr. Deb, and even though it was a slow day, I felt more confident to pursue physical therapy for my career. We saw more patients later in the afternoon, but two of them stuck out to me the most. One came in regarding pain in her knees and ankles, products of long days of work to earn money and care for her husband. The other was similar, and carried years of stress in her back and shoulder blades from the hard work she completed at her job. Both had to quit their jobs because the pain was unbearable, but this stress was barely visible as they cracked jokes and listened attentively to Dr. Deb’s instructions. After their treatment was complete and I walked them towards the exit, they gave me warm hugs and we exchanged wide grins. 

The people of Cobán are a smiling and loving symbol of the phrase now on my water bottle, and I am incredibly grateful to share in their light. Despite any hardship, they continue their lives with the widest smiles. Nothing beat the crinkling of their cheeks, dimpled with smile lines, as they took my hands in theirs in gratitude. Truly though, I will forever be the grateful one for the lessons they continue to teach me, not through words, but with their actions and bright expressions. La vida continua.

All my love,

Samantha Manlapig

The Power of Personal Stories

 As the second day of clinic rolled around, everyone began to settle into their groove. We overcame the first day jitters, and not having to unpack anymore was a bonus! Even though today was a new rotation for each of us, we felt more confident starting the day. We had a better understanding of how clinic works, and we had each other’s help and advice for some of the more daunting rotations. 

     For me, my second day started with walking through Dr. Richard’s door and being greeted by his and Mishel’s smiles. It was an unforgettable warmth that would ease any patient’s worries. Throughout the day, it was fascinating to listen to and participate in Dr. Richard’s physical exams. From neurological exams to palpating the abdomen, there were so many signs that he could deduce and help guide him toward a diagnosis and treatment plan. But above all, the most helpful care that he provided was lending an empathetic ear to each and every one of his patients. No matter the circumstances, he explored each patient’s personal story and emphasized that during this appointment, they were the center of attention. The most impactful part of shadowing Dr. Richard was not learning a medical skill or fact but rather practicing how to sincerely listen to someone and see them as a whole individual. For some, these appointments were an infrequent occasion that could be several hours away from home, so it was crucial that we made each moment worthwhile and thorough.

     Before I knew it, the afternoon had already arrived, and I was soon placed into triage. We had already practiced these skills  at our mock clinic, but it still felt nerve-racking when the first patient came in. I felt a mix of anxiety and guilt for not practicing my Spanish and triage skills enough, but these worries soon melted away. Many of the patients already visited the clinic in the past, so they already knew what to do. Instead of me guiding them through their vitals, they held out their arms and rolled up their sleeves as if they were teaching me how to perform these tasks. It was a relieving moment that gave me the confidence to help new patients through triage, such as a young boy who was waiting to see Dr. Lauri. It was cute to see him imitate the patients before him by holding out his arms, but he was scared of the thermometer. After explaining the machine to him and taking his temperature, his frightened eyes opened back up and looked surprised. Nothing had happened, and he let out a big grin as he hopped off the chair. It was a simple moment that opened the accessibility to healthcare for him and his family by demystifying some of it.

     Overall, today was an opportunity to feel more comfortable by practicing my Spanish and breaking down language barriers. A large part of the latter is showing the patient through actions and body language that they are recognized and heard even if we don’t completely understand each other. This passion is something that I will incorporate into my education and career path since giving each other a little more grace could do something as great as moving mountains.

-John Nguyen

Day 1

Today was the very first day of the trip we've been preparing for all year. It felt pretty surreal, to say the least. I've been so incredibly nervous about leaving - I've never gone out of the country independently until now...and all the sudden it's here. We're doing it.

After packing up all of the clinic donations at Regis, the group headed out to DIA to start our journey. I'm not going to lie, I don't think my anxiety let me out of its grasp until we got to Atlanta. I was so nervous about all of the unknowns, that I found myself praying for a sign that l'd be okay. A sign that I was on the right track. By some strange force, I think I received just that. When I walked into one of the airport shops, still groggy and heavy with sleep, a single book stood out on the shelf before me that just simply said, "Trust God." There it was. Exactly what I needed to hear in that moment. And after being so dead tired, sleeping for many hours on the airport floor with nothing but my backpack as a pillow, I began to see the sun rise and I knew everything was going to be okay.

I ended up sleeping the whole flight from Atlanta to Guatemala, and felt so much more energized once we arrived. Reuniting with the rest of the medical team was a highlight - I was so glad to see everyone in person again. I felt immediately at home. We all made it through customs pretty smoothly, and were finally off on a very long bus ride to Coban. By the time we sat down for a meal together at the hotel - the first real meal I'd had in nearly 24 hours - it felt like the world was finally falling into place.

Recently I've been in a place where I’ve felt like l've been so stuck in my ways. I've felt trapped, like I'm nothing but a passenger in my own life. I applied for this trip because I wanted to change...and I know this place is going to change me. It's only been a few hours now, but honestly? I think it already has.

Mason L

Threads of Hope

 Today was our first day at clinic!  After passing the green, forested hills, I could see the large blue Ciudad de la Esperanza mural peeking out from behind the gate; I felt myself smile, wide. It was finally here, all the prepping, fundraising, packing, and traveling we had done had finally paid off. We made it! We had some loading troubles with the van and ended up parking outside the gates to unload. But as we walked into the city we were greeted by a chorus of little voices happily welcoming us. They’re little “Buenos Dias!” was so filled with joy that we couldn’t help but smile, wave, and laugh with them. 

After unpacking all of our supplies, I spent the morning with Dr. Lauri, in pediatrics. I met some of the most beautiful families and some of the cutest kids. One patient that I will remember forever was a little boy. He was eight years old but small for his age and he was carried in by his mom. One of the first things I noticed was that they both were wearing navy blue polka button up shirts. He was so curious about his environment, he wanted to play with the curtain and a little turtle toy that he likely got in the waiting room. After Dr. Lauri worked her magic, she diagnosed him with cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that occurs when the brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen at birth. But what really stood out to me is that the little boy’s mother didn’t know he had cerebral palsy, she knew he was different, but she had simply been caring for him the best that she could, in the way that he needed. This year was the first time that they had been at the clinic. 

The little boy’s mother had heard from a friend that we would be here and decided to bring him in. Later that day, the boy and his mother were able to be seen by Dr. Deb in PT.  Thanks to project cure, this family was given a wheelchair that would help him move about more on his own and prevent his mother from needing to carry him everywhere.  Another amazing thing about this little guy is that he loves music. Ms. Marie gave him a speaker and his smile could not have been wider. 

I also spent the afternoon in the pharmacy with Dr. Eric. I learned how to count pills and write prescriptions. I also got to pray with every single patient that we gave medications to. My Spanish was subpar at best, but everyone was so patient and kind with me. When we all put our arms around each other, closed our eyes, and prayed, I felt so heart warmed and connected with them in such a profound way. 

One of the greatest things I learned today is that the Ciudad de Esperanza’s clinic is more than just a clinic, it represents hope. For many patients, the clinic is life changing, from finding a pair of glasses, to gaining access to life changing medicine they couldn’t otherwise afford, and for the little boy and his mother. Who had heard about our clinic from a friend and decided to travel half an hour to the clinic to see if we could help her son. All of that is impossible without hope. I feel so lucky to have been, in Dr Stephanie’s words, “a small thread” in such an amazing project and being able to meet such an amazing, resilient, joyful, and hopeful community here in Guatemala. 

Sam Matterson 

Finding Harmony en La Ciudad de la Esperanza

 Today was my first day at La Ciudad de la Esperanza and I already feel like I’ve gained a lifetime of memories. Walking into the clinic, I was amazed by the abundance of laughter and vibrant colors that characterized the space. I started my day on the physical therapy rotation with Dr. Deb, where I got the chance to assist patients in their rehabilitation efforts. It was amazing to see them persevere through their pain and push themselves to improve. However, there was one patient in particular who truly made my day unforgettable.

I had the privilege of meeting a patient that was new to the clinic. He is an eight-year-old boy with cerebral palsy, and has the brightest smile. His mom explained how she carried him around 24/7, making it difficult to complete various tasks throughout the day. We were able to give him the last children’s wheelchair, ultimately helping his mother and giving him a new means of transportation. My heart completely melted when we gave him that wheelchair. It was red and matched his sneakers perfectly. We also learned that he loves music and listening to music helps him calm down when he is upset. We gifted him and his mom a speaker to listen to his favorite songs. He immediately pulled the speaker to his ear, nodding his head to the beat. Watching his face light up as he rode in his wheelchair while listening to his favorite tunes was such a beautiful moment.

Later in the day, I moved to the pharmacy rotation, where I had the chance to connect with even more patients. We shared prayers and laughs, and it was so humbling to experience the gratitude they expressed.

As I reflect on my first day, I feel overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me and how I’ll grow as both a student and a person. This experience has already opened my eyes to the power of human connection and how little things can make a world of difference in someone’s life. The little boy’s passion for music reflects how we can all find harmony in life’s simplest moments. Similar to how one note is essential to a song, each small joy shapes who we are.

Con amor,

Ava DeBell

To Guatemala 2025

We are about a week away from launching another Regis University student trip to Ciudad de la Esperanza in Guatemala. We depart in the wee hours of the morning Monday, May 5th. Typically I write an opening blog post as we depart, but I am writing this year’s missive a week early. My daughter, Grace, graduates from Regis May 4th, so my plate is a bit more full than it typically is, so I thought an early post to open the blog would be advisable this year.

We began this partnership with Regis University and Ciudad de la Esperanza with our first trip in March of 2020, leaving Guatemala just a day or two before the world locked down. We are now 5 years into seeing the clinic there grow and become a beacon for the families who live around Ciudad de la Esperanza. Ciudad de la Esperanza is a community center and school that was founded by a Guatemalan priest, Padre Sergio Godoy, in 2003. It educates more than 450 children from preschool through high school each year. It offers job training for adults and social work and legal assistance for families. And, since 2020, it offers free primary care medical assistance. Padre Sergio founded the community for the very marginalized Maya who live around the outskirts of the local landfill in Cobán, Guatemala. He asked Regis to help him start the clinic, which has quickly become a critical piece of their ministry.  

Regis has supported this initiative boldly and generously. Each year we have raised enough to support the student trip each spring. We also bring pharmaceutical and medical supplies for the community for the whole year. And the last two years we have raised enough to support the salary of a Guatemalan physician to be at the clinic half days year round. In the last academic year we raised over $30k to ship a 40 foot cargo pod from Project CURE to the clinic. It was full of over $450K of donated medical equipment and supplies. The pod shipped from Denver this January. It spent over 2 months at the port in Guatemala and Dr Stephanie learned all sorts of new Spanish words about importation as she helped navigate it through customs. The pod was delivered to the clinic earlier this month.  

loading the pod Jan 2025 Project CURE warehouse Centennial, CO

the fully packed pod

A special item we had packed into the pod was 8 donated solar panels. Matt & Joann Muller are a couple we have gotten to know who attend mass at Regis on Sundays. They have learned about the Guatemala medical program and have been generous supporters for several years. Matt works as an engineer at NREL (National Renewable Energy Lab) and was able to get some donated solar panels. Project CURE was happy to add them to the pod. So, Matt is joining us this year to install the panels on the roof of the clinic lab to help the clinic get off the grid. This is the kind of partnership we value for sustainability. We are very excited to have Matt join us this year.

my brother, Rob, helping get the solar panels to Project CURE

The student group (10 pre-med, nursing, pre-PT, pre-OT students) have bonded extremely well and are all very excited to finally travel. The volunteer medical team has spent the academic year zooming in to an every Sunday 2 hour meeting with the students to prepare them to go run clinic for the week in May. For most of these students this will be their first hands-on patient experience. They will take vital signs and blood sugars in triage, plot kids on growth curves, help kids learn how to brush teeth, assist our dentist in teeth extractions, shadow myself in pediatrics and our internist. They will assist our physical therapist and our pharmacist as well.  

students learning skills at mock clinic in March

Since we have partnered with Ciudad de la Esperanza now for 5 years, we definitely know many of the patients we will see in May. And we are all excited to see them again and try to accompany them along in their journeys. Some of our patients have pretty complex medical needs and we do what we can to bring them their specialized medications or treatment aids. They feel like family. And our two dear interpreters, Diana & Mishel, will, of course, once again join us for the week. They are family - they have helped us in this work now for 14 years.  

Each year this really is my reset button. This project reminds me why I went to medical school 30 some years ago. We get to practice holistic care to an amazing patient population. We get to mentor the next generation of medical providers, hopefully leading them in a path towards serving marginalized communities. And I get to spend a week with some of the most incredible medical providers I have ever known. What could be better than that?

The blog posts will be regularly updated starting a few days after we arrive in Guatemala. So follow our progress that week - probably more posts will start appearing around May 7th. AMDG

Lauri Pramuk, MD