About

 

The Guatemala Healing Hands Foundation (GHHF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality and availability of health care in Guatemala through education, hand surgery, and hand therapy. Specializing in the treatment of upper extremity congenital conditions, burns, and injuries, we reach the Guatemalan population through 12-day medical missions led by a team of specialized and skilled surgeons, therapists, and dedicated volunteers.

GHHF is a direct outgrowth of the 2004 Vargas International Hand Therapy Teaching Award established by the American Association for Hand Surgery (AAHS) to foster the exchange of educational ideas between therapists in the United States and therapists in a developing nation. Inspired by the impact of the 2004 Vargas trip to Guatemala, GHHF’s founders recognized an opportunity to offer physicians, therapists, nurses, students, and volunteers the ability to take part in a cross cultural educational experience. 

 
 
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Our Impact

 

 
 

Our presence in Guatemala is crucial as communities continue to struggle under the arm of poverty and inaccessible medical care

 
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 Surgery & therapy

More and more families are turning to GHHF for specialized hand and orthopedic needs. Because of GHHF’s unique relationship with the various Guatemala hand therapy and surgery associations, we are a trusted teaching source and a vital American group providing cutting-edge hand education to both the surgical and therapy communities.

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Our medical impact


1,925 patients evaluated for hand therapy & hand surgery

739 Patients received
surgery

3,500+ doctors, therapists & students that have attended our workshops

1,453 Upper Extremity Orthotics Fabricated

 

 community development

Enriching Chichoy Alto since March 2010 through construction, education, agriculture & economic growth.

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what we’ve built


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new Latrines

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efficient ONIL stoves

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distributed eco filters

 
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Elementary & middle school

We built a school so the local children can receive above a 6th grade education for the first time.

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hillside trenches

We dug trenches that are used to lay piping so fresh water can be supplied throughout the village.

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local medical clinic

We established a clinic so residents of the town could recieve better & more frequent medical care.

 

ways we sponsor education


 
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school supplies

We are continuously purchasing school supplies & uniforms for all of our school aged students.

 
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continuing education

Our volunteers are sponsoring students to become teachers, mechanics, accountants & more.

 
 

how we stimulate agricultural & economic growth


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We distribute emergency maize to families struggling with malnutrition

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We distribute crucial fertilizer needed to replenish existing crops

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We provided each family with an avocado tree for nutrition & economic opportunities