Violet Crown City Church volunteer construction team together with Salud y Paz Executive Director Laura Shearer and our local construction team
Building Hope: New Clinic Construction Update
We are thrilled to share the incredible progress being made on our new clinic building! Thanks to the synergy between our dedicated volunteers, local construction team, and expert contractors, we are one step closer to opening our doors to the community.
Last month was all about teamwork and heavy lifting. Our amazing volunteer team from Violet Crown City Church joined forces with the local construction crew to make massive strides on the building’s groundwork. Together, they successfully advanced the subfloor filling and pouring, creating a solid foundation for everything to come.
Simultaneously, our contracted specialists were hard at work behind the scenes installing the essential electrical wiring and circuit control systems to ensure the facility will be safe, powered, and fully operational.
This month, the momentum hasn’t slowed down. We have officially transitioned from structural basics to the finishing touches that make this space feel like a true medical clinic.
Here is where we stand today:
Bathroom Tiling & Ceramic Flooring: The tile installation in the bathroom areas has been inspected, and we are seeing great progress on both the ceramic floor installation and its final grouting.
Second-Floor Construction: Grade 40 legitimate rebar has arrived on site, and the crew is actively assembling the reinforcement steel framework to kick off activities on the second level!
Lighting & Fixtures: If you check out the latest photos, you’ll see the lights are officially on, bringing us one step closer to a fully functional space.
A Heartfelt Thank You! Every poured floor, wired circuit, and laid tile brings us closer to providing quality healthcare. We are deeply grateful to our volunteers, local builders, and contractors for their tireless hard work and dedication to this project.
Stay tuned for more updates next month! We’re excited to welcome our friends from Owasso First Methodist, who will be working alongside us to finish up the first floor.
2025 Annual Report
In 2025, Salud y Paz advanced its educational mission across the Mayan Highlands, driven by the belief that learning is a powerful pathway out of poverty. Teachers worked tirelessly to support students, integrating individual tutoring and specialized psychological guidance to lower barriers to learning and transform young students into confident scholars. Recognizing that healthy children are better learners, the organization prioritized caregiver engagement through workshops that equipped families to build stable, vibrant learning environments at home. Furthermore, the school served as a vital training ground for future educators, reinforcing a strategic commitment to investing in a sustainable, locally-led network of bilingual and intercultural early childhood education.
On the healthcare front, the organization expanded its clinical reach and modernized its services to act as a critical lifeline for rural families facing limited access to care. Salud y Paz optimized patient access by aligning clinic schedules with community needs, boosting awareness via local media, and upgrading its laboratory with an advanced hematology analyzer to ensure precise, efficient diagnostics with reduced wait times. The team also focused heavily on the continuity of chronic illness management. By integrating health promotion directly into clinical services and school programs, they provided patients with the knowledge needed to manage long-term conditions and prevent illness.
Deeply committed to locally-led development, Salud y Paz shaped its long-term strategy through direct dialogue and focus groups with local leaders to accurately identify emerging regional needs. This community-focused collaboration was brought to life by volunteer teams who turned strategic visions into infrastructure realities. Key milestones included completing an expanded school facility to support hundreds of students in Xepocol, as well as revitalizing the preschool, clinic, and playground facilities at the Camanchaj site to prepare for future construction. Through this combined approach, the organization fostered a highly responsive, sustainable model for lasting regional change.
Growing a Greener Tomorrow Together
We are thrilled to look back on an incredible milestone in our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship here at Salud y Paz.
Following a formal request for support earlier this year, we were honored to partner with the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP) to host a specialized training workshop and hands-on reforestation initiative.
The training was designed specifically for our preschool students, parents, and staff. CONAP’s technical team provided expert knowledge and practical guidance in the following:
Fostering Conservation: Deepening our community’s understanding of how to preserve our vital local natural resources.
Driving Active Participation: Inspiring sustainable, real-world environmental protection.
The training session took place locally in Cantón Camanchaj, where our team rolled up their sleeves to learn the science behind successful reforestation—from soil preparation to the long-term care of young trees.
By truly standing united today for a better tomorrow, our team has planted life and left a lasting mark that will benefit our students and the wider community for generations to come!
L to R: Our Health Promoter, Alicia, and our dentist, Dr. Luis
More Than a Visit: How Health Promoters Build Lasting Wellness
Every Salud y Paz service team provides critical care, and that care makes its greatest impact when paired with health education and community empowerment. Ongoing training for our Health Promoter, Alicia, is central to this mission—ensuring long-term, sustainable health for the communities we serve.
During a recent training provided by Salud y Paz’s dentist, Dr. Luis, Alicia learned practical strategies to help patients understand the importance of brushing teeth three times a day, maintaining a healthy diet, and reducing sugar consumption to prevent tooth decay. She also received additional training from our Integral Health Coordinator on diabetes and hypertension, including causes, prevention, and early warning signs.
Equipped with new educational materials and practical resources, Alicia is able to reinforce these messages with patients before, during, and after our rural clinics. Her role expands the impact of every medical visit into lasting health, pairing immediate care with the guidance families need to build healthy habits at home.
Thank you for doing this important work with us!
Health Promoter, Alicia, educating our partner community on managing chronic illnesses during an international service week.
Last Call to Celebrate with us our 25th Anniversary!
In 2026, Salud y Paz celebrates 25 years of service in Guatemala—a journey made possible by the vision and dedication of our founder, Dr. Phillip Lester Plunk. His legacy continues to guide our mission: promoting integrated health, healing, and education with Mayan communities by expanding access to healthcare and early childhood education.
We invite you to join us November 7–11, 2026 for our 25th Anniversary Gathering in Guatemala. This special celebration will include opportunities to experience our work firsthand, connect with community partners, and honor Dr. Phil’s lasting legacy through meaningful activities, including a graduation ceremony, clinic visit, and cultural experiences.
The cost of the trip is $1,100 plus airfare. By joining us, you are celebrating our past and becoming part of our future.
Registration is closing soon. You can view the full itinerary and trip details on our website.
