I have volunteered with PFS once or twice a year for the past six years on surgical and rural missions. The level of organization to manage these missions, from organizing international volunteers to patient recruitment, logistics, and surgical and post-operative care, is exemplary. The care and dedication of the team at PFS for the underserved people of Guatemala are inspiring and make me want to continue volunteering with the organization. Our Canadian surgical team plans to return next month for our fifth surgical mission with PFS, and I do not doubt that the week will be a success for both the patients and volunteers who participate in the mission.
As a Family Physician I have volunteered with Partner for Surgery for 17 years. This involves traveling to rural areas and screening mostly underserved Mayans for surgical problems that can be corrected by surgical teams coming in the near future. The organization is uniquely effective by using local health promoters who live in the district and assist in travel challenges as well as caring for nutritional needs. Supplemental nutrition and coaching of families for cleft lip/palate babies is particularly important.
PFS is especially good at coordinating the rural missions with local communities and caring for volunteers from outside Guatemala. The heartfelt team spirit and gratitude of the people needing health care are great reasons to return for the 17 years. Funds are well spent to provide direct care to the families that need medical access the most.
Is an organization like this, which proves to me that there are angels among us. This organization's hard work and dedication is well appreiciated. Thank you for your dedication and loving hearts.
I was a nurse in the December 2011 surgical screening trip. It was an excellent trip; well organized in every way. I was so impressed with how well the staff had set up each clinic and the many logistics that they needed to keep in mind. It was a rewarding experience in all ways. th epeople, the mission, the manner in which we were treated and taken care of, the other volunteers and more.
This review is from Barbara Donne, who prefers not to share her email and asked me to post this review for her:
"Partner for Surgery is celebrating its 10th year of serving impoverished Guatemalan families. Dedicated volunteers visit the country and provide medical care to all ages: children with cleft palates, mothers needing nutritional and prenatal care, and elderly who need cataract surgery. These volunteers accomplish miracles, and when the frightened, sick new patients see the results, they no longer avoid treatment. Many of the poor fear that going to visit a doctor means death. Partner for Surgery is committed to keeping them alive and well! Every volunteer hour and every dollar will help this volunteer organization save lives".
Barbara Donne
Review from Guidestar
I have followed Partner for Surgery for a few years now and have volunteered for the last two years approximately. This organization is made primarily of volunteers so when you donate to PfS very little of your donation goes to cover overhead costs. In other words, most of your donation will go directly to the people who need it the most: empoverished Guatemalans who live in rural areas where access to health care is very difficult.