THE NORTH GROUP

The north group consisted of the firefighters and trainers who drove “their” ambulance to Culiacán. The training team had the opportunity to make this presentation. It was especially touching for the three firefighters from Lethbridge (the Trainers) who had actually driven the ambulance many times while on duty. This handover is covered in the preceding article.

THE SOUTH GROUP

The following day (week 2 day 2), the drivers and ambassadors boarded a bus and for a seven hour ride to Guadalajara via the fast toll road. They spent that night in a hill-top hotel.

Next day (week 2 day 3) the Pincher Creek ambulance was presented to the Rotary Club of Zacoalco de Torres and handed to the community of Acatlan (population 10,000). It is geographically remote with a lot of surrounding agriculture. In the past it has taken an ambulance one hour one way to respond to an emergency in Acatlan, then another hour to return to the hospital in Zacoalco. A bit of good news is that patients are stabilized at a medical clinic in Acatlan while waiting for transportation. There are 4 stabilization beds for adults, 2 for children, and a bassinet for one newborn.

The Fish Creek handibus was presented to the Rotary Club of Colima and handed to a school for disabled children in the community of Coquimatlan (one hour from Manzanillo). The school has waited three years for this; it was a 'dream come true.' There are 30 children registered and teachers have very little to work with. This handibus will enable children to go on field trips, reduce their isolation, and most importantly, get them to and from school. Many parents struggle in getting their children to school, especially during inclement weather when pushing a wheelchair in the mud is not that easy! After the official ceremony, the Mayor of Coquimatlan drove the children home using the donated handibus. It was a very celebratory yet poignant moment in time. The next article in this newsletter, written by John Fortunka of the Rotary Club Calgary Fish Creek, is a heart-warming story about this delivery.

Next day (week 2 day 4), the Cardston handibus was donated to Tlaquepaque which is on the outskirts of Guadalajara. It was donated in memory of Michael Henderson's mother, Beverley Henderson. The handibus was already booked solid for the next few days. It will be used in transporting the elderly and disabled to and from doctor appointments.

The following day (week 2 day 5) the whole group was bused back to Mazatlan.

Next morning (week 2 day 6) was the formal opening of the “proper” school to replace the “pallet school,” as mentioned in the previous newsletter. In the evening all attended the formal farewell dinner hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Mazatlan.

Next afternoon (week 2 day 7) everyone boarded a direct flight back to Calgary and home.