Honduras
Honduras clinic treats patients’ physical, spiritual needs — and teaches them to sew
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Stethoscopes and sewing machines share space at the James Moody Adams, or JMA, Clinic in this Central American capital.
The faith-based clinic recently launched an initiative to help Hondurans escape the cycle of poverty. In addition to providing low-cost medical and dental care, the clinic sponsors a nutrition program.
When Honduran social services identify mothers and children in need, the clinic provides food for the families. The recipients are required to attend classes here and learn a skill. Hairdressing and sewing are among their choices.
Learning a marketable trade allows mothers to earn income they can use to feed their children without relying on benevolence programs, said Dr. Xiomara Erazo, the clinic’s supervisor of operations and a member of the La Vega Church of Christ.
The clinic is located next to the campus of Baxter Institute, a ministry training facility in Tegucigalpa. Launched in 1984, the clinic offers medical and dental care for Baxter’s students, staff and their families and also treats people from the nearby community.
Third-year medical students from the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine spend a month at the clinic through a partnership between the clinic and the in Blacksburg, Va., medical school.
Patients line up before 6 a.m. to receive treatment, Erazo said. Every morning, the patients and medical staff participate in a devotional and hear a message from the Bible.
“I think it’s important,” Erazo said. “A big part of the patients’ health problems have to do with spiritual needs. … Being able to receive a word of hope helps them a lot.”
VOLUNTEER DENTISTS AND HYGIENISTS are needed to work at the JMA Clinic. For more information, contact the clinic through the website www.baxterinstitute.edu.
The faith-based clinic recently launched an initiative to help Hondurans escape the cycle of poverty. In addition to providing low-cost medical and dental care, the clinic sponsors a nutrition program.
When Honduran social services identify mothers and children in need, the clinic provides food for the families. The recipients are required to attend classes here and learn a skill. Hairdressing and sewing are among their choices.
Learning a marketable trade allows mothers to earn income they can use to feed their children without relying on benevolence programs, said Dr. Xiomara Erazo, the clinic’s supervisor of operations and a member of the La Vega Church of Christ.
The clinic is located next to the campus of Baxter Institute, a ministry training facility in Tegucigalpa. Launched in 1984, the clinic offers medical and dental care for Baxter’s students, staff and their families and also treats people from the nearby community.
Third-year medical students from the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine spend a month at the clinic through a partnership between the clinic and the in Blacksburg, Va., medical school.
Patients line up before 6 a.m. to receive treatment, Erazo said. Every morning, the patients and medical staff participate in a devotional and hear a message from the Bible.
“I think it’s important,” Erazo said. “A big part of the patients’ health problems have to do with spiritual needs. … Being able to receive a word of hope helps them a lot.”
VOLUNTEER DENTISTS AND HYGIENISTS are needed to work at the JMA Clinic. For more information, contact the clinic through the website www.baxterinstitute.edu.
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