Hospital
Shalom
San Benito. Peten, Guatemala
Origin Story & Hospital Summary:
Hospital Shalom, founded by missionaries Tim and Doris Spurrier, began construction in 1996 and opened its outpatient clinics in 2006. It became a full-service hospital in 2011. Operated by New Covenant World Missions, located in Canton, Ohio, the hospital is situated in San Benito, Peten, approximately 350 miles north of Guatemala City and about 60 miles from the Tikal ruins. The region is part of the rainforest, contributing to its unique environmental and medical challenges.Hospital Shalom is a 22-bed facility providing 24/7 medical care, including surgeries, inpatient medical services, and emergency care. Outpatient clinics operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. The hospital employs around 30 Guatemalans, including two full-time general practitioners, an on-call surgeon, nurses, kitchen, and cleaning staff, as well as administrative personnel.
Technology & Capacity:
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Church and Governance:
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Training Opportunities:
The hospital offers significant opportunities for volunteers in various medical fields, including physical therapy and rehabilitation. Volunteers are expected to have intermediate or fluent Spanish skills to communicate effectively without a translator. The minimum commitment for physical therapy and rehabilitation specialists is one year.
Medical and Support Staff Needs:
Physicians
Dentists
Dental Hygienists
Nurses
Lab Technicians
Emergency Medicine Specialists
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Specialists
Language:
Spanish is the official language and is spoken by approximately 93% of the population. While there are 23 different Mayan languages, most hospital patients speak Spanish. Volunteers must have conversational Spanish skills, especially for roles in clinics and emergency services.
Housing & Food:
Visitors stay in fully equipped guest housing with one, two, or three-bedroom apartments. Each apartment includes amenities such as a full-size refrigerator, stove, microwave, and kitchen utensils. Meals are provided for a fee, with some initial supplies of spices, oil, flour, sugar, coffee, tea, and snacks. Fresh fruits and vegetables are available at the local market, and additional food can be purchased at nearby grocery stores with staff assistance.
Travel:
Visitors can reach Hospital Shalom by flying into Guatemala City and traveling 350 miles north to San Benito, Peten. The hospital is located in a rainforest region, providing a unique backdrop for medical and volunteer work.
Time Difference:
-2 hours Eastern Standard Time (EST) from March through November; -1 hour EST from November through March.
People and Local Religion:
The population in Guatemala is predominantly Christian, with Roman Catholics making up 47.6% and Evangelical Protestants 38.2%. Other religions, including Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism, account for 2.6%, while 11.6% of the population has no religious affiliation.
Climate:
The climate in San Benito, Peten, is tropical, with a distinct wet and dry season. January and February are generally pleasant, with temperatures ranging from the 70s to 80s. April and May are the hottest months, with temperatures reaching the 90s to 100s. The rainy season begins in May, with October being the wettest month.
Unique Challenges:
Common medical issues in the region include tropical diseases, malaria, pneumonia, and diabetes. The rainforest environment also poses unique challenges for healthcare delivery and requires specific medical knowledge and adaptability.
Evangelism Opportunities:
Hospital Shalom integrates medical care with evangelism, sharing the love of God through their services. The hospital serves as a hub for both long-term and short-term mission trips, needing both financial and prayer support to continue its mission.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit newcovenantworldmissions.org.