Project Talamanca

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Report: Project Talamanca

Campo de Trabajo: April 13,14,15,16/ 2006

Location: La Finca Educativa, Shiroles territorio Indígena de Talamanca

Population: Bribris y Cabecares

Group:

Dr. Peter Aborn: group director and coordinator

Dr. Luis Boza: director/coordinator of clinic activities; senior operator

Dr. Javier Pereira: coordinator of logistics and senior operator

Sra. Mayra Ramirez: coordinator of dental assisting and sterilization

Dr. John Bahr: Volunteer dentist from the

United States contributor of:
instruments, materials, small equipment; founder of a special foundation in the US for Project Talamanca.

Rafael Garcia: Dental Student Universidad Latina de Costa Rica

Paula Madrigal: Dental Student Universidad Latina de Costa Rica

Erika Mora: Dental Student Universidad Latina de Costa Rica

Manuel Posada: Dental Student Universidad Latina de Costa Rica

John Gilmore: Physiotherapist

Fran Gilmore: Social Worker

Adriana Herrera: Project Manager Procter and Gamble

Natalia Ramirez: Computer operator

Jacob Harris: Professional Photographer, Graphics Designer, Writer

Aaron Aborn-Zindler: Administrative Assistant

Joshua Aborn Zindler: Administrative Assistant

Laura Zindler: Administrative Assistant

History

Project Talamanca was established in 2005 by Drs. Aborn, Boza, and Pereira after torrential storms affected the area of Talamanca. The impact of this volume of rain was devastating- major flooding, serious erosion of land, loss of crops, produce, homes, school equipment, etc. Help from people living and working in other parts of the country was directed to the lower mountain areas mainly Daytonia and Sixaola near the frontier of Panama.

Almost no aid reached the indigenous living on the reservation of Talamanca…above Bribri. There are approximately over 30,000 Indians who inhabit this area. 60-70% of this population are children and young adolescents.

After two fact-finding missions were made to understand and define the damage, problems, and needs, Drs Aborn, Boza, and Pereira made the first ‘campo de trabajo’ in Amubri, July 2005. This trip was the second of many planned to coordinate and deliver services to many communities living on the reservation.

The objectives include establishing a main ‘base of operations’ which will provide needed health services (dentistry, medicine, ophthalmology, physiotherapy, social work, etc. From this base mobile units will be used to reach the outlying areas that have minimal or no resources; i.e., electricity, water, accessibility. In some of these areas, children have never seen a dentist.

Daily Log

Thursday

The group left in three vehicles:

1. 15 passenger rental van (donated by Dr. John Bahr)

2. 4×4 Adriana Herrera

3. Toyota Pick up (CONAI administrator Udir Blanco; driver Francisco Navas) at 4:00 am.

Arrive Shiroles 10:00am.

The examination and diagnosis area, clinic were operational at 1:00pm

Approximately 30 patients were treated

Friday

Clinic was opened at 7:00 am. More than 170 patient visits were made between 7:00am-7:00pm

Services included medical history, oral examination and diagnosis, prophylaxis and oral hygiene instruction, restorative procedures, periodontal treatment, exodontia, and for the first time in this area root canal therapy.

The group ate meals in shifts so that the clinic was always operational. During the morning Sr. Blanco (CONAI) informed us that he and his driver would be returning to San Jose.

Saturday night, but after the clinic closed.

Saturday

When the clinic opened at 7:00 am there were already 25-30 patients waiting. This number was surprising because many of the people returned to their work after Good Friday. The word was also passed among the people that the wait was more than an hour for treatment. We expected a larger number in the morning and later in the afternoon when the people finished their work. During the morning hours supplies ran low and a trip was made to Hone Creek Clinic (CCSS) where Dra. Mayra Rojas, the coordinator for Talamanca provided the needed material.

When the clinic closed at 6:30 more than 120 patients received treatment.

*During the morning we were visited once again by Sr. Blanco from CONAI. He informed us that he received a message (?) that he was needed in

San Carlos and had to leave at 2:00pm. Since this was Semana Santa and all government agencies were closed we questioned the truthfulness of his conversation with us. We were not prepared to close the clinic before the second influx of patients. Fran and John Gilmore who joined us in Bribri offered to help with transporting the equipment back to

San Jose. Sr. Blanco offered to come back Sunday from

San Jose to retrieve the equipment. We seriously questioned this commitment that they would travel for 12 hours to help. When we telephoned him Sunday, there was no answer. The people told us they were not surprised when they saw the pick up drive away. They have no respect or trust in CONAI. We were informed that the members of this organization would visit Talamanca, drive around, do nothing and then return to San Jose to collect their salaries for the trip.

Sunday

The equipment was packed up and the group returned to San Jose.

Data Base

Adriana Herrera, coordinator for statistical information, used 2 of her lap tops to establish a permanent data base of information. Not only will we be able to track patient treatments, but also continue an epidemiological study to define the problems and progress. In this way we will also be able to adjust our focus on treatments and areas needing help, expand other services, and add more variety and types of dental treatment.

Although Str. Hererra has not completed entering all the data, approximately 300 patients were seen and more than 400 procedures were made in the 2 ½ days that the clinic was operational.

Photographic Documentation

Many photographs, video recordings were made of the people in all areas of operation by Jake Harris. Special interviews of families from different communities were conducted by Mr. Harris with the assistance of Natalia Ramirez .

This information will be used to formulate a web page and write articles for publication to inform people in both the US and Costa Rica.

Permanent Staff

Junta Directiva: Dr. Peter Aborn; Dr Luis Boza; Dr Javier Pereira; Dr. John Barr

Senior Operator: Dr. Esteban Perez

Dental Assisting: Sra Mayra Ramírez coordinator

Records/ Data Base: Adriana Herrera

Photographer/ Graphics designer/writer: Jake Harris

3 Comments »

Dr Aborn,
Thank you for the work you do for the people in Costa Rica. I would like to help with the great work you do. Please let me know if I can make a donation to help in your work.
Pura Vida,
Todd

Comment by Todd Lawrence — February 19, 2008

I am a social worker and accomplished grant writer in the states, and own property in the Talamanca region, s/e of Puerto Viejo. I will be moving to CR in 2009 or 10, and desire to be involved in humanitarian efforts, perhaps yours.

Please contact me about ways to help.
jj

Comment by Janet Jones — March 16, 2008

Dear Dr. Aborn:

Percy Enders, one of your patients told me about your work in Talamanca. I am the President-Elect of the Rotary Club of San Jose, Costa Rica. Our club has been working with various indigenous projects over the years. We have been cooperating with Universidad Majester on their efforts as well. My hope for the coming year is to seriously address the potable water and sanatation problems of as many of the indigenous communities in Costa Rica as possible. I would like to meet with you some day to see where we can work together. There have been numerous Rotary dentist groups who have worked here in Costa Rica over the years and I am sure there are ways we could benifit from working together. One great thing that Rotary can help with is funding through our network of clubs. Please give me a call or drop me a note when you have a chance. Sincerely,
Thomas Ghormley tghormley@racsa.co.cr, Tel: ****-1001.

Comment by Thomas Ghormley — March 24, 2008

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