TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK!
(The IWC Baca Story)
by Lori Simek, April 26, 2023
Once upon a time, in a land far away, there came to live a group of adventurous women, who travelled their adopted land, learning the language and customs, the culture and foods, making friends with each other and with the long-time residents of the city of Merida.
They belonged to a club: the International Women’s Club, (IWC), and found they had many interests in common, like gardening, knitting and crochet, walking, day trips, and charity work.
On one of their day trips, a group of about 10 of them drove to Baca, a small town just outside the city of Merida. There, they toured a cancer treatment centre, Bienestar, and then had lunch at a wonderful Thai restaurant at the same clinic. Afterwards, they visited two other IWC members: Carolyn and Crystal, who had renovated an old house in Baca to open a B & B, who welcomed the group and offered drinks.
Then, they introduced them to two other guests: the newly elected mayor of the town, the first female mayor (presidenta) ever, and her minister of health. With the help of an interpreter, the mayor gave a presentation to the group, describing the poverty of the townsfolk and the lack of available medical care. After being elected mayor in a surprise upset, she looked over the budget and decided that roads could wait, but medical care could not. She set up a bare bones clinic, obtained the services of a federally financed doctor twice a week, and was prepared to open the clinic for women, children, and the elderly. Later they opened a second clinic on the other side of town.
The IWC women were excited and pleased about the new mayor and her minister, and one of them asked, “How can we help?” The moment she said this, Lori knew she had stepped into a new world, a dream, or nightmare, she wasn’t sure which. The minister had an answer ready. “ If your club could help provide medications, it would make a huge difference in how we operate. She even had a list of the medications most needed for both infants and the elderly. Lori and her friend Marion exchanged a glance that said “We could do this!” And they promised the minister they would try.
The minister of health gave them the address of an inexpensive pharmacy in Merida where they could buy the medicines. A few days later they drove into an unfamiliar neighbourhood and walked into the pharmacy, where they were met by the attendant. After presenting their list, and stating their Baca references to the pharmacist, the two were told to have a seat and wait while they gathered the medicines. When they went to pay for the large order, the total cost was far less than expected. Lori immediately decided she could afford to double the order, which would be enough medicine to last a month or two.
Soon after, Carolyn and Crystal went to Merida to shop. There, they met Lori and Marion outside Costco, where they took charge of the two bags of meds and delivered them to the new medical clinic in Baca. These deliveries became the habitual pattern over the following years, with Joan and Debbie, or Fiona and Connie, taking over the purchasing or delivery as needed. Permission was granted by the IWC to support this charity work in 2018.
Fundraising became the focus for Lori and Marion. Lori felt obliged to keep funding topped up herself when funds from other sources were not sufficient. Other IWC causes had their own champions, and funds were always scarce. A Games Night was planned at Lori’s house, which raised enough money to cover another six months. A contribution was also given to the Baca Medicine Fund by the IWC and the Rotary Club with proceeds from the annual Chili Cook-off, where Lori, Connie, Allison, Marie and others helped out. A second clinic was opened in Baca, with a nurse and federally sponsored doctor alternating.
As a fundraising opener the following season, Lori and Marion gathered over a hundred prizes from their own treasures, from friends’ contributions, and some savvy shopping, to offer as prizes for Bingo for Baca. Several IWC members helped out: Cindy and Judy, Debbie and Joan, Joanna, Margie and Linda. Enough money was raised to cover the next year, which was a good thing, because COVID made it difficult to hold group activities. Caritas, a charitable group in Merida, also contributed two large sacks of medicines for Baca.
Then, disaster struck. The former Baca mayor regained his position, and both clinics were closed.
But our work continued. as our Baca partners identified the community with the greatest need of medical support as the San Isidro Kuxub hacienda neighbourhood. They also recommended that we work with Bertita Peche Uch, a nurse who lived nearby, and informally took care of that community’s medical needs. She began visiting every week, dispensing medicines and giving generously of her own time.
Bertita is the hero whose efforts allow this work to continue despite the unfortunate closing of the clinics. At the end of January, Lori, Marion and Connie, along with a new committee member, Rebecca, delivered four sacks of medicines from the Caritas charity through their member Kathy Vega.
Earlier this year, with 150 prizes, a sold-out Bingo for Baca was held again at TTT, and Lori and Marion were aided by a team of IWC volunteers: Cindy, Judy, Viviana, Cate, Joanna, and Margie. This marked a transition from the original team to newer members of the team. Connie and Rebecca, with the help of many others, will hopefully carry on with this good work!
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK!