OAS

In 2006, the Social Affairs Office (OAS) was created in the Municipality of Alotenango-Sacatepequez, co- sponsored by the private Jepa-LIMMAT Foundation. The main objective of the OAS was to give ideas, examples and models of efficiency to a public entity, as it has indeed been pursued over time. The projects included several small community projects to be proposed in Antigua and neighboring villages. In particular, vocational training, information technology, “jornadas medicas” organized in cooperation with U.S. medical schools, employment opportunity offered by local enterprises, microcredit, woman development and self-awareness. More details are included below and on Archive, document 4.

In 2007, Helps International was the first private institution introduced by Jepa Limmat with which support was received for the benefit of the community. The project of improved firewood-saving stoves (ONIL) was implemented during six years, with families of different economic levels, in order to reduce cutting of trees, environmental contamination and the reduction of smoke inside the kitchens that caused respiratory diseases. The cost of each stove (ca 100 USD) was shared between the Municipality, the Jepa Foundation and the beneficiary, and was significantly reduced (10 USD) for families in extreme poverty. Regretfully, people in the Municipality, close to the Major, took advantage of this discounted price by asking a poor lady to buy a stove for them. Moreover, in 2012 the ONIL stoves project became a project run by relatives of the municipal mayor and only a limited number of ladies managed to buy their stove. The Foundation withdrew from the project, evidencing the need to protect each successful initiative from the political power.

The alternative possibility of using biogas as an economical source of energy was extensively considered. Six plants were assembled and the feasibility of the project was reported in the literature (cf. Archive, Document 2: articles in La Chimica e Industria 2007-2008). Due to problems associated to the use of garbage for generating biogas (i.e., odors), the project was not a successful one. Only extremely poor families were interested.

The idea of a model house was implemented, but only a single house was built in 2009. Due to lack of interest on the part of municipal authorities in sharing the expenses for the benefit of the poorest, the project was abandoned.

In 2008, a loom for producing traditional fabrics was worked with the support of an expert instructor from San Antonio Aguas Calientes. The course lasted for a period of six months, donating material and tools. Same time later, the municipality hired a local instructor to develop the same project within the municipal Women's Office.

In 2009, the Jepa-Guatemala Association was born as a local private institution independent, but occasionally cooperating with the Jepa-Limmat Foundation. The Association promoted Environmental Emergency Management that included delegates from CONRED, volunteer firefighters of the Municipality and instructors from the San Carlos University. Today Municipal employees receive training from both COMRED and volunteer Firefighters overlooking risky areas.

In 2019 the OAS was associated to the Oficina de las Mujeres, and definitively canceled in November 2022. Expanding opportunity were anticipated for more advanced projects between the Municipality and the Jepa-Guatemala Association. If such expectations do materialize, the goals of the OAS would be outreached.

 

Municipal Clinics

The Jepa-Limmat Foundation accepted the invitation by the Mayors of three towns in Guatemala-Sacatepéquez: Santa Catarina Barahona (pop. est. ca. 4000), San Miguel Dueñas (pop. est. ca. 13000) and San Juan Alotenango (pop. est. ca. 30000) to co-sponsor Municipal Dental Clinics. The partners established the following rules governing the administration and the operation of the clinics.

• The clinics should offer a model of efficiency, which would eventually contribute to rejuvenate the public health system in Guatemala. The governing board of each clinic should include the Mayor of the town, a representative of the Jepa-Limmat Foundation (or the Jepa-Guatemala Association), technical and administrative personnel. The selection of the personnel would require the consent of both parties. Appointments with the patients had to be computerized.
• The Foundation is responsible for the purchase of the equipment, whereas the Municipality is responsible for other expenses including the salaries of the personnel (a talented professional dentist, assistant and receptionist), consumables and maintenance of the structure.
• The clinics are to be hosted in municipal areas were charging is allowed. The suggested cost of each treatment had to be substantially lower than practiced by private clinics. Moreover, people in state of poverty would enjoy free treatment. Patients from neighboring communities would also be assisted.

Detailed analyses for the results of the three clinics are included in Archive Document 5. The economical performance of the Santa Catarina clinic revealed that the total maintenance expenses increased over the years, but at a reduced rate with respect to earnings. The clinic was therefore expected to eventually become self-supporting. However, the clinic recognizing its mission of public service, would not aim to auto-sustainability.

The clinic in Alotenango turned out to be a complete failure. Decisions inconsistent with the by-laws were unilaterally taken by the Municipality, which favored the establishment of a private clinic. The equipment purchased by the Foundation was therefore transferred to the Santa Catarina Barahona clinic.

The clinic in San Miguel Duenas attained high-quality level and patient satisfaction under two successive administrations. Regular annual meeting of the Junta of the clinic with representatives of the Foundation were held. The clinic was expanded into a small medical center During the second administration. The Medical Center included Dental Clinic, Psychology Clinic, Nutrition Clinic and a General Medicine Clinic.

The model clinic project came to its natural conclusion in 2020. A report on the activity and the results of the project, (see Archive Document 5) was published on line and sent to the Ministry of Health. However, no reply from the Ministry has so far been received.