Fundación K’aslimaal believes that education of staff and the community is an important part of our work. Administration or the department of Social Work organizes these events. All ideas for educational programs must be submitted and approved by HA Administration prior to the activity.

Since HA opened in 2005, the staff has been involved in the monthly training that the traditional midwives are required to attend by the Health Department. When a Spanish speaking medical volunteer is available with the ability to teach an important lesson to the traditional midwives, our social worker serves as a translator.

Meetings for the mothers and family members of the women in the Maternal Infant Sponsorship program are held every two weeks in the education room. These classes or “charlas” cover important topics such as danger signs during pregnancy, complications during delivery, breastfeeding, when to take your baby to the doctor, early stimulation, babies first foods, importance of books in the home, and more.

Often, medical volunteers set up informal presentations in the patient waiting room area.

Staff education can be formal or informal. Often visiting specialists and organizations schedule educational programs for the staff, or specific technical training.

Pediatricians and dentists schedule hygiene talks for the children at the school in Panabaj where the Student Sponsorship is centered.

A scholarship program for HA staff exists. Employees are chosen for scholarships on merit of their work experience. Please talk to HA Administration if you have interest in supporting an employee to further their education BEFORE discussing it with the employee.

There are a variety of ongoing educational programs at HA.

Maternal Infant sponsorship meetings – these meetings are held twice a month for the women enrolled in the Maternal Infant Program. Led by the Social Work department, the topics vary depending on the age of the infants and children in the program. Women learn to recognize danger signs in pregnancy and delivery, good nutrition, early stimulation, the importance of books in the home, dental care, etc.

Traditional Midwife Trainings – HA works closely with the local Health Department in the monthly meetings that the traditional midwives attend. Guest speakers often participate and the lesson is translated into Tz’utujil.

Clinicians are encouraged to give brief health talks to patients in the waiting area aided by Tz’utujil translators and using a whiteboard to illustrate. Some recent topics have been: general nutrition, nutrition for diabetes, home management of pediatric diarrhea and dehydration. The artistic ability of the volunteers gives rise to a great deal of laughter!

All medical volunteers are asked to give a presentation to the staff on a topic of interest and relevance to those working in the Hospitalito. These presentations are given in Spanish, and are kept on the hospital's staff computer for future use. Presentations that present the latest, best practices adapted to local conditions are particularly helpful.

Pediatricians and dentists offer hygiene lessons at the Panabaj School.

Other specialist trainings include instruction in the use of special nursing bottles for babies with cleft palette, family planning, CPR, and more.

HA has a scholarship program for employees who wish to further their education. Individuals are chosen on the basis of their work experience and commitment to continue to serve the Santiago Atitlán community.