Rotary Club of Truckee partners with Rotary Club of Lake Atitlán, Guatemala as international sponsor for a global grant. Read more about the amazing results here!
In the fall of 2024, the Rotary Club of Lake Atitlán, Guatemala (Rotary District 4250)
requested that the Rotary Club of Truckee enter into a partnership by becoming the
international sponsor of an application for a global grant from The Rotary Foundation.
The project was to be titled “Saving Mothers and Babies in the Rural Guatemalan
Highlands” and would involve the purchase of medical equipment and training for
Hospitalito Atitlán, located on the shores of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.
requested that the Rotary Club of Truckee enter into a partnership by becoming the
international sponsor of an application for a global grant from The Rotary Foundation.
The project was to be titled “Saving Mothers and Babies in the Rural Guatemalan
Highlands” and would involve the purchase of medical equipment and training for
Hospitalito Atitlán, located on the shores of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.
The project seeks to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes for the Tz’utujil
Maya women in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala by enhancing local healthcare
infrastructure and expanding community-based prenatal support. The project will
directly benefit over 500 pregnant women annually, offering them essential prenatal
care, early risk assessments, and resources to manage potential pregnancy
complications. Key to achieving this is a significant upgrade to Hospitalito Atitlán’s
medical equipment, including new ultrasound machines, neonatal warming and
resuscitation tables, and advanced laboratory tools.
A critical part of the project involves training and equipping 16 Community Health
Promoters, or “Promotoras,” who speak the local Tx’utujil language and are well
respected within their communities. These women are trusted neighbors who actively
encourage pregnant women to seek care at the four rural prenatal clinics.
The Rotary Club of Truckee accepted the invitation and began working in tandem with
Rotary Club Lake Atitlán and Hospitalito Atitlán. A grant application for the project with
a budget of $130,925 was completed at the end of 2024 and received approval from the
Rotary Foundation on February 21, 2025.
Rotary Club Lake Atitlán and Hospitalito Atitlán. A grant application for the project with
a budget of $130,925 was completed at the end of 2024 and received approval from the
Rotary Foundation on February 21, 2025.
The Rotary Club of Truckee, its members and supporters contributed a total of more
than $30,000. An additional $13,000+ was raised from seven other Rotary Clubs in five
districts including three other clubs in our own Rotary District 5190. All contributions
from clubs, members and supporters, totaled $43,755. Additionally, the project received
financial contributions from each of the districts, totaling $48,508. The Rotary
Foundation contributed matching funds from the World Fund totaling $38,662. Such is
the Magic of Rotary.
In the weeks since the project was approved, the hospital has begun to order and
receive new equipment and is making plans to begin all related training. The Rotary
Club of Truckee looks forward to the continued implementation and success of this
important project.
A Butterfly Ultrasound arrives at the Hospitalito Atitlán, delivered by members of the Rotary Club of Lake
Atitlán.
Atitlán.