Canada-Guyana Outreach Mission – 2017 Medical Visit to Guyana – Donations Requested

Canada-Guyana Outreach Mission… Letter from:

• Yvonne Joseph Triesman, President
• Canada-Guyana Outreach Mission

Dear Family & Friends:

Award from the Guyana Cultural Association of New York

Members of CanGO are very pleased and honored to be the recipient of an award from the Guyana Cultural Association of New York in recognition of our community service in Guyana.  We are very appreciative for the acknowledgement of our work with the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana.  A few members of CanGO will be traveling to New York at the end of August 2017, where I will accept the award on behalf of CanGO.

In early October, members of the CanGO team will again travel to Guyana to provide free health care to the Indigenous Peoples in Regions 1 (Santa Rosa, Waramuri, Karaburi, and Manawarin) and 2 (Charity, Kabakaburi, St. Monica, Karawab and Waracabra) of the country.  This will be a two-week mission.   

Developmental Disorders / Mental Health – Team 1

The Developmental Disorders / Mental Health (DD/MH) team will continue their work with adults and children with developmental disorders and mental health issues in Santa Rosa, Waramuri, Karaburi, Waracabra, Kabakaburi, Charity, New Amsterdam and at the Ptolemy Reid Centre in Georgetown. This team consists of a Developmental Paediatrician, Social Worker, Psychotherapist and a nurse.  In 2016, five (5) children were identified with cleft lip and palate.  These children are currently being seen by a local dentist in preparation for surgery.  The surgery will be performed at the Georgetown Public Hospital in early 2018 by a team of surgeons from the U.S.  There were also three (3) children with cardiac issues who required echocardiograms and possible surgery.  These children were referred to a Cardiologist from Calgary who will be traveling to Guyana to perform surgery later this year.  A local echocardiograph technician will be accompanying the DD/MH group to perform cardiograms on patients in the area.

Team 2

Team 2 consists of the following specialists:  Allergist, Paediatrician, Pulmonologist/General Internist, Family physicians, Dentist, Gynaecologist and nurses.  This group will be working in Santa Rosa, Waramuri, Karaburi, Manawarin, Waracabra and Kabakaburi.

Lectures to the Local Medical Residents

The DD/MH team will continue their lecture series to the Psychiatric and Paediatric residents at the Georgetown Public Hospital.  As was done last year, the Social Work students at the University of Guyana will also be invited to these lectures.

Audiology Testing

Audiology testing is a vital part of the diagnosis of children and adults with developmental disorders and hearing loss.  Last year Clearwater Clinical Limited (a Canadian Company) loaned us two (2) ShoeBOX audiometers for the 2-week mission.  Unfortunately, they’re unable to do so again this year.  We are, therefore, looking for one or 2 donors who may be interested in purchasing an audiometer for us.  Please contact me if you’re interested in assisting us with this purchase so we could continue Audiology Testing in Regions 1 and 2.

VIA Testing

This year the Gynecologist will perform VIA testing on women in Region 2 (last year, the women in Region 1 were tested).  These women had no previous screening because of the lack of funds to travel to the treatment centres.  This is a simple on-the-spot test for cervical cancer.

Meeting with the First Lady, H.E. Mrs. Sandra Granger

On a recent visit to Guyana, I met with the First Lady at State House (picture attached). The First Lady stated her concerns about the Indigenous Peoples including:

1. a)     High rate of teen pregnancy
2. b)     High rate of HIV
3. c)     Teen mothers who do not know how to care for their children
4. d)     VIA testing (screening for cervical cancer)

I mentioned what CanGO had accomplished on previously missions and assured Mrs. Granger that we will continue VIA and STD (sexually transmitted diseases) testing in October 2017.  I also stated that CanGO will provide informational talks about the issues identified above together with other issues, e.g., management of high blood pressure, controlling diabetes, proper nutrition and dental care, etc.  An invitation was extended to the First Lady to visit CanGO while we’re working in the interior in October.  Mrs. Granger asked that our 2017 itinerary be sent to her as soon as it’s finalized.

Donations

Each member of the CanGO team pays his/her return airfare to Guyana. However, we are requesting donations to pay for medications, medical supplies, accommodation, transportation while in Guyana, etc.  If you would like to support this very worthwhile cause, you could do so in various ways: 

1. If you use on-line banking, you could E-transfer your donation to me at yet@rogers.com.
2. You could visit our website (www.cangomission.org) and donate using your credit card.
3. You could send your donation to:

Canada-Guyana Outreach Mission

• c/o Yvonne Triesman
• 93 Saxonville Court
• Strathroy, Ontario
• N7G 4M1
• Telephone:  (519) 245-7763

 PLEASE NOTE: Since CanGO is a registered non-profit organization and not a charitable organization, we are not authorised to issue receipts for income tax purposes.  However, if you would like a receipt for any other purpose, please let us know and we would be happy to issue one for $20.00 or above.

Warmest regards,

• Yvonne Joseph Triesman
• President
• Canada-Guyana Outreach Mission