www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday January 25, 2008 - 17 CCARE's relief efforts continue in Guatemala By Tim Whitnell SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER When an Oakville-based humanitarian organization resumes its annual trek to help people in downtrodden parts of Guatemala this March, a doctor who works at a Burlington medical clinic will tag along for the first time. Dr. Jennifer Conners, a family physician who works out of the Burlington After Hours Clinic on Harvester Road, is making her inaugural trip to the Latin American country later this winter with members of the Canadian Central American Relief Effort (CCARE). "I'm the head of the healthcare team. Our focus will be teaching the teachers (at clinics). We'll be focusing on (illness) prevention and long-term care as opposed to short-term care," said Conners. She said her small medical contingent of nurses and lab technicians will be going to Zacapa Province in the eastern part of Guatemala. Part of their job will be to visit about 90 students at a "I'm looking forward to helping the people improve their own health status through nutrition and health concepts." Dr. Jennifer Conners school in the town of Volcancito. "We'll do baseline evaluation of students -- height, weight, hemoglobin and cognitive development," said Conners, who had doctor's privileges at Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in the 1990s. "I've been involved with the group (CCARE) for two years. I'm looking forward to helping the people improve their own health status through nutrition and health concepts." Conners made a similar trip in September 2007 when she accompanied a medical mission to the African country of Nigeria. CCARE was founded in 1998 by Oakville resident Hilda Rossi. It was formed immediately after Hurricane Mitch devastated parts of Guatemala. It focuses on projects in education, economic development and health. The Guatemalan efforts are geared toward building self-sustaining communities in the Central American country through the construction of houses, a community centre/health clinic, community store, multi-skill centre, donation of corn grinding machines, a poultry project, a fertilizing project as well as the delivery of life skills training, health and education. "After a natural disaster, many organizations help but they forget how the people will re-construct their lives again. The re-construction is the hard and long one," said Rossi. She has organized eight humanitarian trips to Guatemala so far, with about 120 Canadians having gone on those missions. The upcoming mission will be split in two parts, from March 1April 6 and March 27-April 6, with two groups going -- one a medical/education contingent going for two weeks and the other working on a dental/water project. Only a scaled-down mission group went last year because of elections in Guatemala and fear for the safety of the volunteers. A common theme of the CCARE efforts is helping Guatemala's native people of the Merendon Mountains. "I was born in those mountains," said the 62-year-old Rossi, CCARE's president, who has been on all of the group's missions. "My parents used to own a coffee plantation. We are the only ones in those mountains; they are the for- gotten people. It is too far away from the roads and the city." She said the people in the mountains often go hungry with most never having seen a doctor or received dental care. "It is misery that you have no idea; you have to see it to understand. Would you be content to sleep on the dirt floor and have nothing to eat. You need millions of dollars to make big projects to help them. It is a primitive area. There is no hope for these people. "How lucky can we be to live in this country. Don't point fingers, point it at yourself. Can (you) make a difference in somebody's life?" Rossi asked. "The Mayan Chorti in the Merendon Mountains has hope now, with our help. (It's) the first time that the Mayan Chorti will have free dental care," said Rossi. "There is light at the end of the tunnel but it is huge work. We're not just helping people in the Merendon Mountains, but also at the public University of San Carlos," where she said students will be taught by See Grand page 29 WEEKEND BONUS! GREAT SALE DAYS! 33GREAT SALE DAYS! BUY FR I. 10-7, SAT. 10-5:30, S U N. 12-5 7, AT Outside TO ON TOR Ne ! Kids' Canada Used e in rs! floo est stor 2 fl t. on the bigg Visit r 6,000 sq.f rket maYonge St.) Ove 130 7 Sell y and ntly We Bu Ge w and Stuff! (New et Plaza mark Dav New of is Dr.lights east -two 905-8 02 98-20 · 2008 ARY JANU s.com m nt.co ypare w.cit ! · ww FREE www.m acklem ue to business growth, we are seeking dynamic dividuals for the full-time position of utside ales Representative for the Greater Toront rea. ty Parent Newsmagazine, a Division of si Metroland Media Group Ltd. is Canada's leading egional parenting publication. Published onthly, it provides targeted, cost effective dvertising and marketing opportunities to local nd national businesses interested in reaching milies. Award winning content relevant to local ommunities provides the most comprehensive formation for the whole family. Our online portal cityparent.com), and multiple specialty publications nd events provide advertisers with one-stop marketing solutions to reach Canadian families. The qualified candidate will be a motivated, independent, self-starter with previous retail, utside or inside sales experience. You will possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and will be motivated to achieve results. In this role, you will be customer focused and will build strong relationships with new and existing clients by ensuring that their directory advertising needs are met. You will be goal-oriented and capable of meeting monthly targets. A reliable vehicle is required. If you would like to work for a leader in the media industry this opportunity may b the right one for be you. We offer a competitive compensation and benefit package including: · Healthcare and Dental Benefits · Deferred Profit Sharing Plan · · · · Life Insurance 3 Weeks Vacation to Start Sales Incentives and Contest Career Development and Advancement ALREADY LOW RED SALE PRICES ALREADY LOW RED SALE PRICES STOREWIDE! STOREWIDE! EXCLUDES SPECIAL ORDERS! 10% OFF 10% DEDUCT AN DUDUCTAN ADDITIONAL ADDITIONAL 2575 Dundas Street West Mississauga, ON Metroland Media Group Ltd. "City Parent is an amazing place to work. Although it is a fast paced, deadline oriented sales organization, the company recognizes the importance of our family priorities. Working together as a team makes for a great environment. There is a solid client base that can be attributed to the long term relationships we have built. More and more businesses are targeting their advertising to reach the important family market and City Parent continues to become even more successful - the potential is limitless!" Pam, Shari, Kelley, Deb & Karen City Parent T HE G REAT $1,000,000 G OING O UT O F B USINESS S ALE ! ALE! Use Cash, Check or Credit Cards Credit Cards Use Cash, TORCHIERE LAMP ROUND TABLE Reg. 699.00 Reg. 799.00 CHAIR Reg. 2479.00 SALE 28888 179888 SALE 29888 199888 SALE 108888 258888 © LSC 2008 Opportunities · Competitive Salary & Commission Structure · Automotive Allowance SOFA Reg. 3999.00 SOFA Reg. 4185.00 SOFA Reg. 4378.00 SALE SALE SALE If interested please forward your resume to: Kbreeson@metroland.com We appreciate the interest of all applicants however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls or agencies please. A SALE WITH A REASON . NOTAN EXCUSE! A SALE WITH A REASON .... .NOTPRIOR SALES! AN EXCUSE! ALL ITEMS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY! EXCLUDES