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Project Salud y Paz (Health and Peace) is a project working to assure adequate medical and dental care is available to indigenous Mayans of Guatemala living in a rural area near the village of Camanchaj and near the city of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala has recently emerged from some 30 years of civil war which was characterized by a campaign of genocide resulting in hundreds of thousands of Mayans being killed, injured, or simply reported "missing. " Although the war is officially over, the living are still recovering from devastating poverty and are without adequate healthcare in these two areas of Guatemala.
The nearest government sponsored healthcare facilities are 30-60 miles away. In order to reach these facilities they must walk for days or spend precious family income to ride local busses. The time required also means losing the means of sustenance for the family for the days required seeking medical care. Due to the practicality of everyday existence (average income is less than $750.00/year) they usually seek medical care at the hospitals only as a last resort. Government hospitals are seen simply as places to go to die. Infant mortality rates and malnutrition are high while life expectancy is low.
In March of 2001, Project Salud y Paz will establish, equip, and place into operation combined medical/dental clinics at the two above sites. In coordination with short- term medical teams from the United States, Phillip Plunk, DDS, Clinical Director and JoAn Dwyer, LMSW-ACP, Director of Women and Children's Services will begin providing comprehensive healthcare to the people of the area. Educational programs in basic health, oral hygiene, nutrition, and prenatal care will be instituted.
There is an immediate need of $3000.00 to ready the equipment for shipment to Guatemala. We anticipate utilization of military transport under the USAID's Denton Cargo Amendment. However, in order to be approved for this transportation help the cargo (equipment) must be palletized, inventoried, and containerized for shipment. We must be able to purchase the required pallets and materials for this to occur. Project Salud y Paz is requesting a grant of $1500.00 or other appropriate amounts for this purpose from the Academy of Dentistry International.
Administration of the clinics will be provided by Phillip Plunk and JoAn Dwyer who will live on site for the next two years.They have been involved in short term Volunteer in Missions teams from the United States to this area for the past 15 years. Administrative salaries for the two directors total $26,000/year. At present $30,000 has been pledged by Northaven United Methodist Church in Dallas, TX. It is anticipated the remaining salary support will be obtained from individual donors consisting of family, friends, and past VIM team members. In addition, over $70,000 of donated medical and dental equipment has already been collected and is ready for shipment in Dallas, Texas.
This project will also serve as a training ground for local widows and children, bringing a new sense of self-awareness and self-worth to their lives as they begin to recover from a devastating civil war. Once again, visions of hope and expectations of life ahead can begin to bloom. With your assistance young and old, both women and men will be receiving a new level of healthcare. A level of health care that, unfortunately we often take for granted.
If you would like to review a full proposal or have any questions, please feel free to call me at 214-495-9797.
Health and Peace,
Phillip Plunk, DDS
Administrator/Clinical Director
1108 Mill Run Dr. Allen., TX 75002
Ph. 214-495-9797 FAX 214-495-9516
E-mail: pplunk@home.com
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Programs: Salud Y Paz 
