A small line of people stand in front of the school doors. The sight seems unusual, since in past years many more people crowded the entrance on the first day of the clinic.

Around 5 p.m. on Thursday, the Ranch erupted in cheers as the colorful “chicken bus” pulled up with the remaining members of the GMRP team. Team leader, Brittany Storhoff, hugged and greeted members, and gave them their cabana assignments.

This day, Dona Claudia, a leader in Oliveros, joins the team to serve her community. She stands at a window of the outdoor kitchen on the ranch, a giant bottle of lemon-scented Joy at her side and a herd of curious cows gazing in from the adjacent field.

A large white semitrailer sits under the searing Guatmalan sun on a dried patch of earth in the corner of “the Ranch.” After one of the first missions, a team drove the semi, stocked with dental chairs, exam tables, medicine cabinets and shelves the distance from Wisconsin toward the equator.

There is nothing like a hammock and cold beer after a very long day of travel. So, after staying awake for more than 24 hours for some of the Guatemala Medical Resources Partnership Advance Team, Nery’s watering hole was the long-awaited “bienvenidos” to Oliveros Monday night.

The Thiensville Mequon Rotary Clubs established the Guatemala Medical Resources Partnership (GMRP) in 2005 to help the people living in the Department of Santa Rosa, a remote area of the country, who did not have access to adequate health care.

Rotary International is the world’s first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 34,000 clubs worldwide.

Flory bridges the gap for patients. Oliveros, Guatemala – Nearly every hour, someone on the Guatemala Medical Resources Partnership team was in search of Floridalma Quintanilla, the new continued care coordinator of the group.

Baby Blanca visits on her first birthday

Oliveros, Guatemala – When she first visited Oliveros last year, 29-year-old Allison Hardin did not anticipate leaving such a treasure behind.

Making the essential connection for continued care

La Antigua, Guatemala – One of the most difficult elements of any civic organization’s overseas missions is to ensure that the effort is sustainable.

Over the years, the visitors taught patients about prevention and oral health. Now, patients come to the annual clinic for fillings as well. The GMRP grew in hope to save children and young adult teeth by sealing them.

The Guatemala Medical Relief Partnership began in 2003 with the vision of a Rotarian from Wisconsin to provide general/basic medical care to people who couldn’t otherwise receive care.

Guatemala – They waited in the relative shade of the concrete school wall while the glaring sun sent the temperature of Oliveros soaring into the high 90’s.

Madison Rotarian brings medical service to his homeland

Guatemala City, Guatemala – A tired and disheveled medical team of about 30 people shuffles off the United Airlines flight from O’Hare International Airport to the baggage claim area.

Pharmacist finds Guatemala life-changing

Oliveros, Guatemala – Racine native Brian Jensen learned a lesson that has changed him forever.

Life’s most important teaching came from one of his instructors in pharmacy school, but it was learned long after Brian had successfully become a pharmacist and had his own business.