Chaco. the. project. Dear God

Transcription

1 Dear God Today we remember Beryl as she serves the people of the Chaco. We pray she will be blessed with wisdom, patience and strength. Thank you that individuals, families and communities will be helped and resourced through the money we raise. Amen SAMS Ireland values your partnership in this project. T: (028/048) E: W: SAMS House 1 Irwin Crescent, Lurgan, Craigavon, BT66 7EZ. Registered Charity: XR67448 the Chaco project

2 EL CORAZon de AMERICA One of the only two landlocked countries in South America, Paraguay is positioned on both banks of the River Paraguay, bordering Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia. Due to its central location in South America it is sometimes called, el corazón de América Heart of America. It covers an area of around 400,000 square miles. Paraguay has been independent from Spain since //one Money Helps... ten\\

3 * Paraguay has one of the largest indigenous 15 will treat numerous children for chest infections caused by scratching scabies bites with dirty finger nails, or arthritis in those, young and old, who have been crippled by gruelling manual work. * The country is the world s fourth largest exporter of soya beans and relies mainly on agriculture and hydroelectric power. * The War of the Triple Alliance, 1865 to 1870, looms large in the minds of Paraguayans. The war claimed the lives of nine-tenths of Paraguay s adult male population as it battled Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay over access to the sea. a uay ra aagraguaya p 50 will buy diesel and help maintain the vehicle which reaches distant communities via challenging roads and tracks. Visits are often restricted because of travel costs. to the sea. This refers to the river which runs from north to south through the middle of the country. rea d 10 will buy medicine to treat 10 asthma suffers endangered by sudden temperature changes which can drop from 40º to 7º in half an hour, and treatment for illness resulting from contaminated drinking water. * Paraguay literally means Water or river belonging nb 5 will buy enough iron and vitamins to protect pregnant mothers from anaemia caused by parasites. populations in South America. The indigenous language Guaraní is spoken by 87% of the population. trad Sopa ition P al 2 will buy enough Asprin, Paracetemol and Ibuprofen to treat 5 people for fevers caused by parasites or viruses that are often exacerbated by a hot climate, often over 40º. //nine How Your two\\

4 Beryl supplies a chain of health workers, trained by her, who live in Indian communities so help can be immediate. The following is what she will buy with any money that is raised: //Medicines for fevers //Painkillers //Basic Antibiotics These are practical responses to genuine needs. Poor nutrition lessens people s physical resistance to illness. Prompt treatment can significantly impact people s lives for the better. The word chaco in Spanish comes from the Quechua word chaqu meaning hunting land. It refers to a sparsely-populated lowland region of the Río de la Plata basin, and covers over half the total area of Paraguay. It is one of South America s last agricultural frontiers, with a semi-arid climate. The Chaco lacks all basic infrastructure and modern amenities. The vast majority of people living there belong to indigenous groups living at subsistence level based on cattle farming. //three eight\\

5 Pr a y f o r for //the practical resources to enable Beryl to serve and treat those who are suffering. //the fuel to get desperately needed water into isolated communities. //Beryl who ministers in a complex, dangerous and demanding environment. Beryl needs prayer and money as getting medicines in Paraguay is fraught with complications. Sourcing medicines of any kind is difficult Beryl tries to obtain medicines on her monthly visits into the capital city Asunción. //seven four\\

6 Pra y er Nurse Beryl Baker offers medical treatment to around 18,000 indigenous people in the Paraguayan Chaco. She has dedicated nearly 30 years of her life to this area and describes herself as an orderly, gynaecologist, midwife and dentist, treating anything from TB to gunshot wounds and snakebite. //Beryl Baker Government funding provides some medicines but offers little else in the way of support. Alongside meeting daily patient requirements, Beryl trains indigenous health promoters to meet some basic community health problems. The needs are considerable. //five Par tner six\\