Archive - Help Paikea Volunteer with GHF (April 2024)

Dear Friends and Family,

In April, I'll be returning to Guatemala on a medical outreach trip to provide acupuncture and healthcare to indigenous communities. The trip is organized by the Global Healthworks Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose team of acupuncturists has served over 65,000 patients in the past twelve years. I'll be part of a small team setting up mobile clinics and providing treatment to approximately 200 people per day. It will be an intense week treating up to 1,000 cases.

In the Northwestern region of Guatemala where we'll be working, indigenous populations face significant barriers to accessing modern healthcare. Their daily lives are physically demanding, with activities such as subsistence farming and cooking over open fires. Access to nutritious food and clean water is limited, leading to many suffering from chronic pain and illnesses including hepatitis, asthma, bronchitis, parasites, and malnutrition—especially among children. More alarming is the prevalence of abuse against women and girls, with a staggering number of incidents of domestic violence, incest, and rape. Guatemala had a civil war and genocide in the early 1980s known as the “Scorched Earth Policy”. The legacy of this violence is evident, with many indigenous survivors struggling with epidemic conditions related to post-traumatic stress and anxiety. Acupuncture has been very helpful for these conditions, especially with NADA (auricular) and Battlefield Acupuncture protocols.

The Global Healthworks Foundation has been conducting this work for over a decade with integrity and consistency. Three acupuncturists interviewed me separately to ensure I understand that I'm signing up for hard work, and the trip is not a vacation or voluntourism. Everyone involved is a volunteer and pays for their own transportation and expenses. You can directly support me with a tax-deductible donation to the GoFundMe charitable fundraiser, or you can help by spreading the word. Any surplus contributions to the fundraiser will be used by GHF to purchase children's and adult vitamins, as well as other essential treatment supplies.

For more insights on GHF's impactful outreach efforts, please watch this short video highlighting their 2023 achievements: GHF-2023-Year-In-Review

I look forward to bringing healing and teamwork to Guatemala, and bringing back stories and healing to you!

Paikea