LAKE JACKSON, Texas—
A group of local Rotarians should be getting ready to take their bi-annual trip to Mexico to provide medical care to the people of Guerrero; however, there's been a change of plans. 39 News learned about the recent violence, which has made members change their mind about their mission.Guerrero is about 100 miles west of Chihuahua, Mexico.
"I have been going to do this clinic since 1983 with Dr. Pruett."
Dr. Thomas Pruett is the founder of this project after he led the first team to Mexico in 1981.
"Dr. Pruett started this clinic in Juarez, Mexico, which is in the state of Chihuahua."
Walter Branson, who's the director of the Guerrero Surgery and Education Center, has also been instrumental in the project.
"This project received a grant from rotary international. It's called a 3H grant," Branson said. "And this grant was for $160,000."
That grant was intended to build a mobile surgery center in Mexico. But because of drug wars on the border, they've cancelled plans to go and help.
"Unfortunately because of the warning that's been issued by the United States department, we feel that it's just - it's too much to bear to ask these volunteers to go down there," said Branson shaking his head with frustration.
"The sad part is that, you know, it doesn't change the fact that these people have such a need."
This project attracts hundreds of volunteers with the majority coming from Rotarians in the Houston area. To give you an idea of how much medical assistance they've provided:
"Probably (in) U.S. standards would be about $3 to 5 million dollars worth of free care," said Branson.
"We do eye exams, we make eye glasses, we use refurbished eye glasses."
Not to mention polio vaccinations, too.
"Having gone twice a year for 29 years, it is a strange feeling not to be going," said Dr. Pruett.
Until it's safe to travel again one thing is for sure: they've already made a huge difference for thousands in need of medical assistance in Mexico.
Branson says some of the team is tentatively planning a trip to Mexico this fall.
39online Events & Happenings Newsletter | 39 on Twitter | 39 on YouTube | 39 on Facebook
