Rotarians have played a major role in the success of the Hospitalito.

In 2005, a RI matching grant was created between Club Rotario Norte of Guatemala City and the Aptos, California Rotary Club for an X-ray machine. The radiology room and film developing area were ready for the October delivery when Tropical Storm Stan forced open the doors and filled the room with mud. The buildings were abandoned and since HA no longer had a home a decision was made that a portable X-ray machine would better serve a hospital in transition. In June 2006, the Siemens X-ray machine arrived and staff was trained in it’s use. A nearby shower in the backpacker’s hotel was converted to a film development room.

Club Rotario Norte also worked with a Durham, North Carolina Club to purchase three wall mounted otoscopes.

Members of a Salem Oregon Rotary Club volunteered in 2005 on the renovation of the Hospital ward building before the area was condemned because of the disaster. In 2007, the Salem Rotary Club returned to fill out a RI application with Guatemala’s Club Rotario Oeste to raise funds for a 50 KVA generator, an anesthesia machine, and other medical equipment.

A Sarasota Florida Club arrived for a week of cataract surgeries at Hospitalito Atitlan in September 2007. This was a first for the people of the town.

Please contact us if your Rotary Club would like to help ensure that quality medical care continues to be provided by Hospitalito Atitlan.