|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Monday, July 30, 2001 Online Edition 30 |
|
Future of Mayas revealed at Int'l Congress of Copan Advances in science, however, are changing that said Guatemalan archaeologist Juan Antonio Valdes. He is the leading expert on the city of Tikal, considered the New York of the Maya world. His studies have now led him to the ruins of Kaminaljuyu, and his presentation dealt with the new methods he is using to plan excavations. Valdes used new radar techniques to plan his digs. He began by emitting radar signals into the area where the dig was planned. The echoes of these signals were read and translated by a computer to reveal the different spaces and formations found underneath the ground. Valdes showed slides of graphs and radar maps that made his eventual excavations successful and nondestructive. He made attendees believe that he did indeed have a pair of X-ray glasses with which to plan his digs. Alfonso Morales has been working in excavations at Palenque in Chiapas, Mexico for many years. Aided by other scientists, he used a method similar to that of Valdes to excavate the "Group of the Crosses" site. This site was dominated by many tombs, which made picking the right spots to dig impossible for a long time. Morales showed the successes of his digs with colorful pictures of the tombs he carefully excavated after using a sonar device to plan them. "Basically, what the program does," Dr. Leventhal explained, "is allow you to enjoy the archaeology from the comfort of your home or office." To illustrate with examples, he had the Virtual Archaeologist take the audience to a Maya site in Belize he has worked on for years. Piedras Negras came alive to the crowd with clear, interactive pictures, that allowed the audience to walk through the ruins as if they were really there. The images were not limited by angles. To walk around a temple, one could do it via the Virtual Archaeologist. Dr. Leventhal had fun taking people up and down temple steps and also showing them gorgeous jade pieces that they could hold in their virtual hand and turn to inspect every minute angle. He went on to explain that the files of the Virtual Archaeologist were small, and that, eventually, people could quickly download them off the Internet and go archaeology sight-seeing whenever they wanted to. "The Future of the Past" truly was a joining of the ancient Mayas of the Past and the virtual world of the Future. "The only thing I ask," she told the international audience, "is that when you go home, you tell others about the good time you spent here." So it was, that the Congress finally ended, and people left with regret for their departure. Still, everyone who attended the International Congress of Copan came in contact with a great civilization; one that was glorious in the past, still survives in the present, and shall always be revered in the future.
By RAMÓN ROSA IZAGUIRRE Some time ago, Nuila was relieved of his position under the Government, and General Roque J. Munoz was substituted, the latter being also Inspector General of Hacienda for the Departments of Yoro and Olancho. He is now said to have a force of about 1,000 men, and has possession of a large portion of the Departments of Olancho and Yoro, and the ports of Truxillo and La Ceiba, whose revenues he is converting to his use. Not less than 400 men and boys have left Tegucigalpa to join the insurgent forces, expecting to meet Policarpo Bonilla, late Liberal candidate for President, and others who have been exiled, on the frontier of Nicaragua; but the exiles, according to accounts, have not returned to Honduras. This government has received assurances from the Governments of Guatemala, Salvador and Nicaragua, that the latter are ready to lend a hand in its favor, if necessary; -- at least such messages have been published here in the newspapers. The Republic is under martial law, through there has not been any hostile demonstration in any other part of the country. Within the last two days the Government has been levying "forced loans" upon business men of this city, and so far, has secured 39,000 pesos, in silver. The process of securing a "forced loan" is to cite the business man to appear before the proper official, when he is informed that he is expected to contribute to the Government treasury a certain sum. If he does not do it at once, or make arrangements to deliver the money within a certain number of hours, he is sent to prison and threatened with lashes or death, and the confiscation of property. Five merchants have been imprisoned within the last two days, and they have paid into the treasury of the Government, from 20,000 to 1,000 pesos each. By this mail, I send to the Bureau of American Republics copies of all the publications bearing on the present proposed revolution, up to this date. Business is practically suspended in many parts of the Republic. There have been numerous skirmishes, but only two which might be called battles – one at Danli, about 75 miles from this city, and one at La Ceiba. Loss of life was comparatively small, and not a large number wounded. The Government forces have been victorious in all cases. The ports of La Ceiba and Truxillo are now in the hands of the Government. Business interests are at a stand still all over this Republic, on account of the recent disturbances. James J. Peterson,
|
Shades of Maracana The match with the Colombians was the farthest thing from the minds of proud Hondurans as the clock ticked down on Monday night and Saul Martinez completed the humiliation of the Brazilians with a dagger to their heart in the waning moments to clinch the historic victory. Now, who is asking: Where is Honduras? The question is: Where is Brazil? The answer: eliminated and gone home! Glued nervously to their TV screens in homes, bars, and corner stores all over Honduras Monday night, Hondurans let loose a flood of emotions as the fleet-footed Martinez booted home his second goal of the night to provide Honduras its first-ever victory over Brazil at this level of competition. Spontaneous shouts, hugs, and celebrations erupted all over the country, bottles of beer and aquardiente were spilled, and fans spilled into the streets and jumped into cars and trucks, waving flags, screaming, setting off fireworks, and vicariously enjoying their moment in the sun, although it was the moon high in the sky. The celebrations continued countrywide until well after midnight when the dust and the noise finally settled. The next morning in Tegucigalpa the ambience of victory cast a glow over the capital city as citizens had a little extra zip in their step going to work. Not that they had more money in their pockets, unless they won the big bet, or all the problems of this small, impoverished country were whitewashed, but the win was one to be savored. Hondurans felt a special pride in what the national soccer team had accomplished on the worldwide sports stage. Monday's loss to Honduras is considered by some Brazilian soccer fans and authorities to be equal to, if not worse than, Uruguay's stunning 2-1 upset victory over Brazil in the 1950 World Cup finals played in Maracana, Brazil.
|
|
||
|
CULTURAL EVENTS CARTOON EXHIBIT – THROUGH AUGUST 3 – Graphic arts students of the National School of Fine Arts in Tegucigalpa are holding a cartoon exhibit at the Arturo Lopez Rodezno room. More information at 238-7024. |
MUSEUMS &
GARDENS TEGUCIGALPA MUSEO DE HISTORIA REPUBLICANA The
Museum of Republican History is located at the Villa Roy building in
Tegucigalpa's Barrio Buenos Aries.
It is open 8:30 to 3:30, Tuesdays through Sundays and features
portraits, paraphernalia, and other interesting items from past
presidents. Admission is
Lps. 20 for non-resident foreigners and Lps. 10 for Hondurans and
Central Americans. For
more information, call 222-3470 or 222-1468. CENTRAL BANK MUSEUM The
Central Bank of Honduras located at the Comayaguela annex building is
open from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
It has a permanent coin and painting exhibit. For special presentations, call the Emision y Tesoreria
department at 237-2270 (-78), ext. 2117 (-2120). [CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER
NOTICE.] NATIONAL ART GALLERY The
Galeria Nacional de Arte features rock art, pre-Columbian ceramics,
colonial paintings, religious art and a wide selection of 20th century
Honduran painters. The
gallery is located at the Plaza de la Merced in downtown Tegucigalpa.
It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10-5 p.m. and Sunday
from 10-2 p.m. Admission
is Lps. 10 for adults, Lps. 5 for senior citizens, Lps. 3 for students
and Lps. 1 for children accompanied by adults. IGUANA FARM The
Biosfera Ecocentro Iguana Farm in Colonia La Joya invites the public
to come and learn everything about iguanas.
Admission is Lps. 5 for adults, Lps. 3 for children.
The facility is open every day (except Wednesday) from 9 to 5. For more information, call 230-6346. COMAYAGUA,
COMAYAGUA COMAYAGUA MUSEUM OF
ARCHAEOLOGY Located
in the city of Comayagua, two hours north of Tegucigalpa, the
Comayagua Museum of Archaeology is in the building that served as the
seat of government in the 19th century.
Exhibits include prehistoric fossils, cave art, ceramics, and
objects used by indigenous cultures during the pre-Colombian era.
The museum, which also has a small library, is open to the
public Tuesdays through Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. COMAYAGUA RELIGIOUS MUSEUM Located
in the Casa Cural in front
of Comayagua's cathedral, this museum features religious paintings and
objects dating back to the 16th century.
Hours are 8-12 and 2-4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.
For more information, contact Leonardo Letona at 772-0348.
LA
PAZ, LA PAZ LA PAZ HOUSE OF CULTURE The
La Paz Casa de la Cultura is
located in downtown La Paz. It
features an attractive exhibit of the Lenca handicrafts and culture.
It is open Mondays through Sundays. SAN
PEDRO SULA, CORTES SPS MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY AND HISTORY The
Museo de Antropologia e Historia de San Pedro Sula features exhibits
on the development of Sula Valley, from 1500 B.C. to the middle of
this century. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Tuesdays through
Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.
Admission is Lps. 10 for adults, Lps. 5 for students and
children under 12, and Lps. 2 for senior citizens.
For more information, call 557-1496/557-1798 or fax 557-1874. MUSEUM OF NATURE OF SAN PEDRO SULA Sponsored
and managed by the Fundacion Ecologista H.R. Pastor Fasquelle, this
new museum was inaugurated last December in its current location at
the Biocentro on 3 Avenida and 9 Calle Noroeste.
It has 24 exhibits on the environment, natural resources and
biology of Honduras. Hours
are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and 8 a.m. until noon on Saturdays.
Admission is Lps 5 for students from public schools and Lps.
10.00 for everyone else. YUSCARAN,
EL PARAISO YUSCARAN HOUSE OF CULTURE Yuscaran's
Casa de la Cultura is
located at the former Casa
Fortin in downtown Yuscaran, El Paraiso department, just 45 km
from Tegucigalpa on the road to Danli.
It is open Mondays through Saturdays. OLANCHO PECH CULTURAL CENTER The
Pech have built a small house in El Carbon, Olancho to display their
modern handicrafts. An
exhibit of archaeological finds in the area is planned.
You can ask to see the collection and/or get a tour of a Post
Classic era fortified site. The
Pech Cultural Center also offers medicinal plant tours, nature hikes,
Pech dinners, etc. There
is no admission fee to the cultural center.
Hours: If you ask, they will open it. COPAN COPAN ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM Located
in the village of Copan Ruinas, Copan department, the museum exhibits
a splendid assortment of Mayan pieces that have been found in the
Copan Ruins Archaeological Park just 1 km away.
LA PUENTE ARCHAEOLOGICAL
MUSEUM Featuring
a sizeable collection of Mayan handicrafts and photographs as well as
a room with Japanese antique ceramics, this museum is located at the
El Puente Archaeological Site, about an hour's drive from Copan Ruinas. MAYAN SEPULTURAS MUSEUM Inaugurated
in 1996, this is the premier Mayan museum in the Mundo Maya, featuring
the finest examples of Copan's tombs, sculptures and architecture.
Located at the Copan Ruins Archaeological Park, the museum is
open Monday through Sunday. TELA,
ATLANTIDA LANCETILLA BOTANICAL GARDENS Located
2 kilometers from Tela on the Atlantic coast highway, the gardens
feature one of the largest collections of tropical and subtropical
plants, shrubs and trees in all Latin America.
It is open from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Mondays through
Sundays. There is an
admission charge. LA
CEIBA, ATLANTIDA TROPICAL BUTTERFLY FARM The
Tropical Butterfly Farm & Gardens of La Ceiba is open to the
public Wednesday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The farm is located at The Lodge at Pico Bonito in the village
of El Pino, about 25 minutes west of La Ceiba.
Admission is Lps. 30 for adults, Lps. 15 for children and $6
for international visitors. BUTTERFLY AND INSECT MUSEUM Thousands
of butterflies and insects from Honduras and 18 other countries are on
display in La Ceiba' private Butterfly and Insect Museum.
It is located in Colonia El Sauce, 2nd etapa, casa G-12. Visiting hours are 8-12 and 2-5, Monday through Saturday.
The museum is closed Wednesday afternoon.
Fees are Lps. 15 for adults and Lps. 10 for students.
Tel. 442-2874, e-mail: rlehman@ns.gbm.hn TRUJILLO TRUJILLO RUFINO GALAN MUSEUM A
private museum which has a memorabilia section, old chairs, anchors,
silverware, beds of famous people locally.
There is an industrial archaeology section on how lights, axes,
stoves, sewing machines, typewriters have changed over time.
They have a good collection of Garifuna handicrafts and the
best collection of NE Honduras archaeological pieces -- all unmarked.
A written guide to the museum is available at the Trujillo
Tourism Office in English and Spanish.
The museum is open 8 to 4, closing for lunch.
Adults Lps. 20, children Lps. 10.
Located on Calle 18 de Mayo, next to the Crystales River and
the famous "piscina" or pool, about a 15-minute walk out of
town. ROATAN,
THE BAY ISLANDS CARAMBOLA BOTANICAL GARDENS The
private Carambola Botanical Gardens and Nature Trails is located in
Sandy Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands. A
wide variety of exotic plants is featured here, including "Roatan's
most extensive orchid collection."
It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, call 445-1117 and ask for Bill or Irma
Brady. BAY ISLANDS MUSEUM A
private museum at Anthony's Key Resort, Sandy Bay, Roatan, Bay
Islands, it mostly includes archaeological pieces, but there is a
small section on the modern Bay Islanders.
Museum admission is included in the cost of the dolphin show at
Anthony Key's Institute of Marine Sciences.
Small buses or taxis will take you to Sandy Bay from most
Roatan towns. The Maya Calendar is a public service for our readers. If you would like to announce an event taking place in Honduras, please send the information to: Calendar Editor, Honduras This Week, Fax 232-2300, e-mail: hontweek@hondutel.hn |
|
|
Monday, July 23, 2001 Online Edition 29 |
|
International Congress of Copan:
By C.F. AGURCIA For four days, the small town of Copan Ruinas, located to the far West of Honduras, was filled to the brim with fans, lovers and experts of the ancient Mesoamerican culture known as the Maya. The congress that brought them together was not a boring conference scheduled with archaeologists. Instead, it was the presentation of projects and thoughts of the many different fields that the Maya affect today. It was, indeed, a figurative reunion between the Mayas of the past, the present and the future. Ramon Carrasco Vargas, a Mexican archaeologist, told the story of the Maya city of Calakmul. Calakmul was an important center during the early and classic periods of the Maya era. Carrasco Vargas brought this place back to life with his slides and words describing the position this city held in the architecture and art of the Maya. Harvard professor and Copan expert William Fash combined different aspects of the culture to demonstrate the relationship between art, astronomy and politics in the Classic Maya. Beautiful slides described the story of the Copan dynasty. Also, from the land of the rising sun, Japanese archaeologist Seichi Nakamura spoke of the most recent discoveries made in Copan. As a result from a salvage dig caused by the construction of a new highway, Nakamura found the tomb of who, in life, would have been the eighth or ninth ruler of Copan. The audience watched in awe as the Japanese archaeologist showed slides of the beautiful jade sculptures and finery this youthfully deceased king was buried with.
Maria Isaura Arauz, a historian and museum curator from El Salvador, spoke of another important site located in her country: Joya de Ceren. Like the name implies, this site truly is a jewel, and showed signs of being an important trading post with ties to the Pacific Ocean and its strong currents. Cities were not the only topics presented, different areas of the ancient Mesoamerican culture were observed from a broader point of view. Barbara Arroyo, a native Guatemalan, has made investigations throughout all the Pacific coastlands of the Maya World. Her research has led to discoveries of settlements in the region that date earlier than any of the large Maya centers and provided good insights as to where the culture originated from. Victoria and Harvey Bricker, a couple that has worked in the field for decades, made a presentation on the Astronomy of the ancient Maya. No doubt was left in the congress that the Mayas were great astronomers. They made observations and insights about the sun, moon, planets and stars that remain as true today as they did a millennium ago. The Maya predictions of cosmic events are accurate millions of years into the future. The Mayas were a people dedicated to their religion and were highly spiritual as a result of this. This Maya spirituality, affecting every aspect of their lives, is reflected in their art. Karl Taube, presented the Maya love for jade. This green semi-precious stone was sacred to the ancients because its color symbolized birth and the energy of the ceiba tree, holy center of their spiritual and physical world. The amount of sculpted and carved jade in the Maya world is immense, and its beauty, beyond description. After a few days of discussion, all the experts came to one agreement: the Maya ability to paint and decorate ceramic pottery is beyond that of any other ancient civilization. During her presentation, Reents-Budet showed several slides to prove the point. Julio Escoto, a Honduran writer and known intellectual, spoke of the Maya in a modern day national context. Escoto, pointed out the historical presence the Mayas have had in Honduras. He also explained how this cultural heritage makes up a part of the national identity. Ricardo Gutierrez Mouat, a Chilean-born Hispanic literature expert, identified the presence of archaeology in the books and novels of Latin America. He moved the crowd with his explanations of the romance of archaeology in the post-modern world, and verbally punished corporate companies for the distortion, or "Disneyfication" as he called it, of the ancient cultures archaeology is bringing alive. Costa Rican, Alessandro Tosatti, showed the congress a little of the Mayas who are alive today. Through video footage he demonstrated the dances of the contemporary Mayas of Yucatan and Guatemala. He explained the symbolism and meaning of performances that have survived the oppression of a "conquistador" colonization and the long passage of time. Finally, two Hondurans, an archaeologist and an astronomer, came together to demonstrate how the ancient designers of Copan are still speaking with visitors today. Making observations of the central plaza of the archaeological site, Vito Veliz and Maria Cristina Pineda Carias, came up with some interesting conclusions about the placement of stelae and altars in this plaza. It turns out that the dozen or so sculpted pieces and the oddly shaped pentagon plaza had a specific purpose for their design. At one point in the year or another, these pieces face, point to or describe all of the important solar-related days in the year, from solstices to equinoxes and zenith locations. Veliz and Pineda Carias revealed that the Mayas had higher level plans than just political propaganda or religious veneration.
|
Use of caution best bet to avoid exposure to typhoid fever
Diarrhea from salmonella is rampant in developing countries. The bacterium Salmonella typhi is a relative of Salmonella enteritidis, but causes a very different syndrome, called typhoid fever, or enteric fever. This syndrome is in no way related to typhus, although it shares a similar name.
Typhoid fever is a potentially life threatening disease, affecting almost 16 million people world wide, and causing 600,000 deaths yearly, according to the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta. There are about 500 cases per year in the United States, two thirds of which occur in people who have traveled abroad.
Without treatment, the illness may last for three to four Gravely ill people should also be treated with steroids (glococorticoids), which can help alleviate shock. Very ill people, as well as children and the elderly may need to be hospitalized for treatment. Generally, patients with typhoid fever should rest in bed, and should try to have frequent small meals, as well as drinking adequate fluids. Acetaminophen should be taken for fever. Aspirin containing products and laxatives should not be used. The person should wash their hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, and should not prepare or serve food to other people.
Finally, when the illnesses has resolved, the person needs to have stool cultures done to make sure that they no longer have the bacteria remaining in their body. Unfortunately, about 5 percent of people go on to become chronic carriers of the bacteria, and need further treatment. Avoid un-pasteurized dairy products. Eat only foods that are thoroughly cooked, and avoid eating raw vegetables, particularly leafy greens like lettuce, and any fruits that can't be peeled. Finally, don't buy food from street vendors. A second way to prevent typhoid fever is by getting vaccinated. Unfortunately, the available vaccines are not great, and giving protection to only 50-80 percent of the people who get them, and lasting only for several years. The vaccinations are particularly recommended for people travelling to smaller towns in areas with a high frequency of the illness, rather than general tourist destinations. While it is not documented, there is some agreement among doctors in Honduras that a high number of cases in this country originate in Olancho, so visitors to this area should certainly consider getting vaccinated.
There are two vaccines available against Salmonella typhi. The first is an oral vaccine, Vivotif Berna, which consists of four pills taken every other day for a week. This cannot be taken by children younger than six months old, and cannot be used by immunocompromised people. The second vaccine is an injection, Typhim Vi. This cannot be given to children younger than age Dr. Laura Fox is specialist in Emergency Medicine and a graduate of the George Washington University School of Medicine. She is doing research on tropical medicine in Honduras. Email: hondumed@ziplip.com |
|
Monday, July 16, 2001 Online Edition 28 |
|
Monday, July 2, 2001 Online Edition 26 |
 July
15 Champagne
Brunch fundraising event at popular Houston RestaurantsOn July 15, the Café Red Onion will hold a Champagne Sunday Brunch at its two Houston locations. The Café Red Onion serves original, critically-acclaimed Latin and Caribbean-inspired dishes with Honduran place names. The cost will be $30 per person, all of which will be donated to a fund to assist Simon Ortega who lost his feet in a train accident. Owner & native-Honduran Rafael Galindo’s goal is to serve 300 people which will raise $9,000. See the July 2nd Cultural Section for more information. |
|
The Goose that laid the golden egg
Centuries passed, and a Spanish colony became a Mexican colony,
then a member of the Central American Federation and, finally, the
independent Republic of Honduras.
During the first decades of independence, the city of Comayagua,
located in the valley of the same name, served as the new country's
capital. Conservative
thinking and the scions of the Spanish colony ruled the nation's
central government there. It was not until the late 1870s, under the presidency of one
Marco Aurelio Soto, that the idea of changing the capital came about. Soto was leading a Liberal Reform in Honduras, which did not
sit well with Comayagua's conservative residents.
Furthermore, the country, lacking any basic infrastructure or
finance, could not produce marketable goods despite the overwhelming
abundance of resources. A solution for this dilemma was presented by the Rosario Mining
Company. This foreign
(U.S.) corporation had both the tools and financial resources to
exploit minerals in Honduras. In
fact, it was the Rosario Mining Company that loaned the funds for the
construction of Honduras' first road, from Tegucigalpa to the southern
port of Amapala. At this
point in time, Tegucigalpa was, quite literally, a gold mine for the
Rosario Mining Company. The
city was located close to the San Juancito Mine on Mount Picacho.
The natives were right in naming this place Silver Hill,
because large quantities of that metal and another, more precious
yellow metal, were pumping out of the mine. Holding the financial leverage, it did not take much effort for
the mining company's board to convince President Soto to officially
move the capital of Honduras to Tegucigalpa. After his term, Marco Aurelio Soto chose not to live in the
capital of the country he is credited to love so much.
In fact, he moved to Paris, France, where he lived in the lap
of luxury (I wonder where the money came from!) until the end of his
days. If one were interested in visiting the grave of the man
responsible for making The Goose what it is, one would have to cross
the Atlantic to do so. In
the meantime, of course, the Rosario Mining Company sucked all the
gold and silver they could retrieve out of San Juancito and simply
left. Like most other
Honduran precious metals, it probably ended up in Fort Knox or some
other U.S. location. That's a pretty sad ending to the story, isn't it?
Wait, there's more... A century and some after the Liberal Reform, a young reporter
found himself driving down from El Hatillo, atop the now silverless
Mount Picacho and pondering on the sad history of the city in which he
lived. Suddenly, inspired
by a vision, he stopped the car and stepped out to view The Goose
spread out before him. He
stood silent with awe as he saw the lights of the city spread out
almost as far as the eye could see.
The lights varied in size and luminescence, but all twinkled in
tones of yellow, white, blue, red and green. The sight of the city shimmered and the lights became twinkling
precious objects contained in a coffer.
Abundant coins of silver and gold predominated the scene, while
hints of sapphires, rubies and emeralds poked through.
The Goose was no longer the pillaged victim of government
corruption and foreign extortion, it was a treasure chest filled with
riches enough to pay an emperor's ransom.
And that is what this city should be to all of us Gooses and
Goosettes lucky enough to live here.
Tegucigalpa is the beating heart of Honduras and we should
treat and respect her as such. Questions? Comments?
Ideas? Don't
hesitate to e-mail me at gooseantics@hotmail.com.
|
|
|
Monday, July 2, 2001 Online Edition 26 |
|
Honduran
restaurant-owner comes to the aid of injured countryman
All proceeds from a July 15 brunch at Cafe Red Onion restaurants to help a young Honduran walk again
By Linda Marrder Simon Ortega lies in a friend’s apartment in Houston trying
to adapt to the idea of a life without both his feet. The 26-year old husband and father of two from the village of
Minas de Oro in central Honduras, had his feet crushed in a train
accident on May 3. He was treated briefly at the University of San
Antonio hospital and released to the care of Houston-area friends.
Ortega has no means to pay for continued medical care. Channel 45,
Univision’s Houston affiliate, reported his story providing contact
information for anyone wishing to help.
The only one to respond was Houstonian and native-Honduran
Rafael Galindo, owner of the popular “Café Red Onion” restaurants
and catering company. He visited Ortega along with Channel 45 reporter
Andrea Gomez for a second plea for help from the local Latin
Community. At that time, Simon was without medical supervision or
medication. Galindo donated $1500 for immediate medical care and has
pledged to raise funds to do whatever is necessary for Simon to walk
again, return home and support his family. On July 15, the Café Red Onion will hold a Champagne Sunday Brunch at its two Houston locations. The Café Red Onion serves original, critically-acclaimed Latin and Caribbean-inspired dishes with Honduran place names. Call (713) 807-1122 for reservations. The cost will be $30 per person, all of which will be donated to a fund to assist Simon Ortega. Galindo’s goal is to serve 300 people which will raise $9,000. “Simon's
situation, I think is a tragedy that no one sees,” explained
Galindo. “And these things happen. Many times one has to understand
how dangerous it is to get to this country. I think it would be good
for us to understand that we have all wanted to realize a dream in
this country and to some of us, we have done well, others have not. In
this case a tragedy has arrived and reached a countryman of ours. Even
if it isn't with his own feet, but he can realize his dream of
returning to Honduras walking and restart his life with his family.” “It is
hard to remember [what happened],” Ortega said. “But from the
moment I saw I lost my feet, if it wasn't because I had children, I
would have rather died because it is hard to realize that you have no
feet, that your life is going to change completely.”
Ortega has 4-year old twin boys. “I
have hopes that maybe they'll find a way to put some feet on me so I
can walk. I don't think it will be the same as before, but I could
find a way to work. With a little bit of money, I might be able to go
back & work there and maybe make enough to support my family in my
house.” Ironically, Simon’s trade is shoe repair. “I'm
making a call to my Honduran countrymen to help to see if they can
give me a hand. It is me that has lost, but tomorrow it could be
someone else’s turn to lose. And that is why I ask you, because I
need help from my countrymen.” “I
personally am asking that all of us give a hand to a fellow brother
because his dream is to walk again, “ Galindo added. “ I am
willing to participate 100% in this until the dream has been realized.
It would be a dream for me to see Simon return to Honduras and see his
dream come true and see him in his house working. Because if the
Hondurans aren't here now… then we will never come out ahead.“
U.S. - Honduran diplomatic
correspondence By
RAMÓN ROSA IZAGUIRRE This
column aims to bring to life Honduran history as reported by U.S.
Diplomats assigned to Honduras during the last two centuries. This
week's article dates back to 1855 and describes how the Central American
governments reacted to the actions of William Walker in Nicaragua. __________ HONDURAN
PORTS CLOSED TO AMERICANS Comayagua,
June 13th 1855 Augustus
Tollin Esq. U.S.
Consul. Omoa By
copy of the annexed communication you will see the provision taken or
issued by the Supreme Gov't, to the effect of the non-admission of
Americans into the State. My
Gov't believes it due to give you this information so as to remove any
misrepresentation that might be given to the said resolution, its sole
object is the security of the State, in the unusual danger to which it is
now exposed in the recent question moved by the Governments of Central
American against Walker and other adventurers who unfortunately have taken
possession of Nicaragua. However
there is no ill feeling, nor motives of complaint against you, or
dissatisfaction towards the United States Government with which my Gov't.
desires a continuance of the good feeling that has happily existed between
one and the other. I
do not consider it amiss to inform you that Mr. J.C. Tucker, presented
himself to this Gov't. requesting to be recognized in the character of
Consular Agent of the United States and that his Exequatur was denied him
on account of being ignorant of the signature of Minister Marcy, and the
non-announcement by you of said appointment, doubts are entertained as
regards the validity of his Credentials. This
opportunity affords me the pleasure of assuring you the distinguished
esteem you merit, and subscribe myself, your obedient servant. Francis
Medina Ministry
of War and Marines of the
Supreme
Government of the State of Honduras Comayagua,
2nd June 1855 To
the Commandant of the Port of Omoa, The
Government considers the admission of Americans in the Country
dangerous, although they may state that their object is to settle in
it, and offer to be obedient to, and respect the Constituted Authorities,
yet the circumstances of Nicaragua being occupied by an army, composed of
individuals of the same nation to which belong those that now come with
the pretension to reside here, leads to suspect their good faith and
demands such precautions, as well as avoid compromise to the Gov't. and
the State. Moreover, the
Governments of Central America are at this moment deeply engaged in
drawing out those who have taken possession of Nicaragua, and as it is
assured that vessels of War, English and French, are to blockade the Ports
of that State to prevent the Admission of reinforcements to Walker.
Should this be effected, with facility, reinforcements in small
numbers could enter through the Ports of this State, if they are not
closed to them in time. Moreover,
the permission given to the twenty-five that landed at "Truxillo"
to proceed to the Interior, through the solicitude of that Port, to this
Ministry, gave general dissatisfaction caused by the alarm spread by the
present possessors of Nicaragua. Under
such considerations the President has this day resolved, that you prevent
the disembarking of all American citizens who should arrive at that Port,
manifesting their intentions to settle in the Country, unless they come on
commercial business or on some branch of industry, bringing a Capital
sufficient to realize their proposed intentions on going to the interior
of the Country. I
communicate this to you for its compliance. Subscribing
myself, your obedient servant, Rojas Omoa
July 1, 1855 To
the Hon. Minster of Foreign Affairs of the Supreme Gov't of the State of
Hond. On
the 20th I was favored with your esteemed official communication to the
effect that the Ports of the State should be closed to all American
subjects arriving at them, manifesting that this step was taken to secure
the State from the eminent perils to which it is exposed in the present
question between the Central American Governments with Walker and the
other adventurers, who unfortunately have taken possession of Nicaragua. I
feel extremely sorry that the occurrences that have taken place in
Nicaragua should lead the supreme government to judge so unfavorably of
American subjects in general, and of the emission of the decision ordering
the Ports to be closed to all American Citizens arriving at them, not
permitting them to land, and by this means not recognizing that
International courtesy, so necessary to maintain the peaceful relations
which have always existed between the Gov't of the U.S. and that of
Honduras; consequently to avoid questions of a disagreeable nature, which
in such cases always follow, I would desire the Supreme Gov't to inform
me, whether Americans citizens coming to the Ports of Omoa & Truxillo
bringing Capital or no, shall be permitted to land, and if desired,
proceed to the interior of the State, with the securities and guarantees
which International right prescribes. Twenty
eight years of residence in the Port, married and with family, has
naturalized me in such a manner to its customs and inhabitants, that in
reality, I am more of a Honduranian that a North American, and am as
jealous of the integrity of the State as one of its sons can be, and
consequently, wish to preserve the friendly relations which always have
happily existed between the Government which I represent and that of
Honduras. I
note with particular attention what is said, relative to Mr. Tucker, of
his having presented himself to the supreme Gov't.
desiring to be recognized as Consular Agent for the U.S. of his
exequatur having been denied him, on account of the Gov't being entirely
ignorant of the signature of Minster Marcy; and, that from the fact of the
non-announcement of said Consular Agent, by this Consulate, doubts were
entertained as to the authenticity of his dispatches.
Although this Consulate has not been advised officially of the
appointment of Mr. Tucker as Consular Agent for Comayagua and Tegucigalpa
yet, I feel authorized to confirm the legitimacy of his credentials he
having duly presented them before this Consulate previous to his departure
for New York. This
opportunity afforded me the pleasure of assuring you of the distinguished
considerations and high esteem which I have towards you as Your
attentive and obedient servant, A.
Tollins (Source:
The National Archives of the United States, "Dispatches from United
States Consuls in Omoa, Truxillo and Ruatan, 1818-1893") (Readers' comments and requests are welcome, ramon_rosa@yahoo.com)
|
Paramedics for children
bring much needed vitamins
distributing vitamins to the children of La Stanzuela. By LAURA FOX, MD One
of the more urgent health problems throughout the developing world,
and prominent in Honduras, is that of childhood malnutrition.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in the
developing world there are approximately 174 million children under
the age of five who are malnourished and another 230 million children
who have had their growth and development stunted due to nutritional
inadequacies. Malnutrition
is a term that does not only mean not having sufficient quantities to
eat. It also refers to a
lack of essential nutrients in the diet, including proteins and
micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals.
Children who lack essential nutrients on a prolonged basis fail
to fully develop physically and mentally, and become grossly more
susceptible to all types of illnesses. The
WHO estimates that of the 12.2 million early childhood deaths that
occur yearly in developing countries, 6.6 million, or 54 percent are
directly associated with nutritional deficiencies.
States the WHO, "In addition to the human suffering, the
loss in human potential translates into social and economic costs that
no country can afford." Children
who lack a sufficient variety of foods in their diets, including
vegetables, fruits, meats, grains and dairy products, suffer from
vitamin deficiencies. Vitamins
are essential for normal growth and development, for helping the body
heal from wounds, and for fighting off infections.
Vitamin A, for example, has been found to help children ward
off the ravishes of infectious diarrhea, a leading cause of death in
children in Honduras. And
children suffering from vitamin C deficiency have difficulty healing
from wounds and burns. DEBILITATING
DISEASES Deficiencies
of specific vitamins are also associated with debilitating diseases.
A deficiency of vitamin D is associated, for example, with the
disease Rickets, in which bones fail to develop normally: children may
have difficulty walking, or may develop a deformity of their legs.
Vitamin A deficiency is associated with a form of blindness
called xerophthalmia, the leading cause of blindness in children in
the developing world. Deficiencies
of Vitamin A are also associated with growth retardation. Programs
that exist to fight malnutrition must address the issue of vitamin
deficiencies. Unfortunately,
according to the WHO, "What often distinguishes successful
programmes, is that communities are involved in identifying the
problems and mobilizing action and resources for solving them; a good
technical package is not sufficient." In
this respect, Honduras is now lucky, being the beneficiary of an
well-implemented vitamin distribution program, conducted by a
charitable group based in Copan Ruinas, called Paramedics for
Children. The charity has
coordinated a vitamin program that is now serving 60 children in the
town La Estanzuela, outside of Copan Ruinas.
The charity is currently delivering a one months supply of
children's chewable vitamins to the community on a monthly basis, and
following the progress of the 60 children receiving them, children who
were selected by the town leaders on the basis of having the most dire
need. Paramedics
for Children is a U.S.-based international charity founded and
directed by Roger Harrison, a retired paramedic from North Carolina
who first came as a visitor to Honduras in 1997.
An avid equestrian, he rode through the mountains near Copan
Ruinas, viewing the incredible poverty.
He was thus moved to form a charitable group to help the school
children of the area. MANY
ACCOMPLISHMENTS Following
hurricane Mitch, Harrison's work evolved into arranging relief
flights, and finally, moving here and establishing Paramedics for
Children. The
accomplishments of the group to date have included setting up
ambulance services in remote areas of the country, including in Omoa,
Santa Rosa de Copan and Copan Ruinas.
They have as of the present time brought eight fully stocked
ambulances into Honduras from the United States, and have nine more
readying for delivery to go to Roatan and La Entrada, among other
locations. In each town,
Paramedics for Children has taught a group of residents how to deliver
basic level emergency medical services. According
to Pamela Cox, international training director for the charity, La
Estanzuela is a town with an infant mortality rate approaching 60
percent. Children are
routinely not named until after their first birthday.
When members of Paramedics for Children first visited the town,
they noticed the children to be in overall bad health, appearing dull
eyed, lethargic and complacent. They
were malnourished, and many were infected with intestinal parasites.
With funding by the Rotary Club of Madison, Alabama, in the
amount of $100 per month, the group was able to start their current
vitamin program, with the approximate cost being Lps. 1 per vitamin. The
group has worked through the logistics of making sure that vitamins
actually reach the targeted children.
At the current time, they make monthly deliveries on Sundays,
to coincide with the end of church, a time when members of the town
are typically gathered in one location.
Vitamins are delivered generally only to the mothers of
children, whom the group members have found are the least likely to
try to resell them. Efforts
along these lines, and a continuous presence, appear to have made the
mission successful. DRAMATIC
CHANGES According
to Cox, after five months the changes in the children who have been
taking the vitamins are dramatic.
"These kids are climbing on your head, their eyes are
bright, it's unbelievable."
As well, parents are saying that the kids in the program have a
lot less illnesses. Recently,
Paramedics for Children's vitamin program has received added help in
the form of a corporate sponsorship from Eaglecare Pharmaceuticals,
which has pledged to contribute up to 164,000 vitamins, sufficient to
provide vitamins for 450 children for a year. The
way the sponsorship works is that every time someone visits the
Paramedics for Children's web site, at http://www.paramedicsforchildren.com,
the sponsor will donate the cost of one vitamin, provided the person
sends a copy of the web site to a friend.
And for each new person who joins the Paramedics for Children's
mailing list, the company will donate two vitamins.
Finally, for every person who makes a contribution of a dollar
or more, the sponsor will donate a week's worth of vitamins for a
child. This
adds up to an easy way for people to make a concrete difference in the
lives of young children without having to do more than literally lift
a finger. Dr.
Laura Fox is specialist in Emergency Medicine and a graduate of the
George Washington University School of Medicine.
She is doing research on tropical medicine in Honduras. Email:
hondumed@ziplip.com
|
|
|
|||||||
