Courier: Perspectives
Latin America: Paraguay
This mission of ASCIM (Association of Services within the Indigenous-Mennonite Cooperation; Associacion De Servicios De Cooperacion Indigena – Menonita in Spanish) is to promote socio-economic growth in Indigenous communities through partnership programs in education, health, economy and socio-spiritual orientation and thus supports harmonious intercultural coexistence. ASCIM grew out of evangelization and cooperation efforts between three German Mennonite colonies and their Enhlet and Nivaclé neighbours at Yalve Sanga in the Chaco in western Paraguay. It was officially incorporated in 1978. ASCIM is a member of the Global Anabaptist Service Network.
As there is a multicultural population in the central Chaco of Paraguay, it goes without saying that peace in this region can only be maintained through cooperation. If the gap between those who are economically weaker and those who are economically stronger widens too far, it is foreseeable that social conflicts will arise. Therefore ASCIM, which is based on the Christian faith, is committed to ensuring that the people of this region shape their lives in cooperative coexistence.
After all, if every person has been given dignity by God, then no one must be left behind; the basic needs of all people must be met with the aim of ensuring harmonious coexistence.
ASCIM provides partnership programs in education, health, business and social-spiritual orientation. By working together as partners in the various areas of life, people become aware of each other, get to know and appreciate each other, and talk and plan together. It’s not about small, temporary projects, but about long-term cooperation that serves peace.
Accident uncovers illness
If you saw this 50-year-old woman from the Nivaclé community of Nicha Toyisch, you might think she was 70. This woman, let’s call her Lisa, had been riding on a motorcycle. Somehow, her left big toe caught between the chain and the cogwheel while driving, and the toe was completely torn out of her foot.
The big toe is not only the largest digit, but also the most important for walking.
Lisa was taken to hospital by camioneta (small truck) but was not able to pay for an operation in a private hospital. She arrived in Yalve Sanga at 6 pm, with blood loss and severe pain. There was an open wound where the big toe should have been.
We set to work with what we could. We gave her a local anesthetic, during which the nurses placed an IV, through which she also received painkillers. We were then able to wash out the wound with disinfectant in relative peace, already with less pain, because we couldn’t have any inflammation. Then we stopped the bleeding. We pulled the remaining skin over the open wound as much as possible and stitched it together so that it would no longer bleed and could heal (although it could take a long time) and bandaged it well.
Lisa remained interned with antibiotics, painkillers and tetanus vaccination. Her adult son, who still lives at home, was very concerned. He accompanied her through the whole time.
However, we noticed that Lisa possibly had other ailments. Normally, older patients take advantage inpatient treatment to eat a heartier diet. With Lisa, the nursing staff noticed how much she left on her plate.
And she had a persistent cough the nurses found suspicious. Sputum was examined for tuberculosis, and lo and behold, Lisa’s biggest enemy was the TB bacillus, not the amputated toe.
So we started treating the tuberculosis. Lisa continued to receive daily wound care, and the protein-rich diet started to taste better.
After 10 days, she had recovered sufficiently to be discharged. The wound still needed some time, but she was able to get around at home with a walking aid. The ASCIM-trained community health worker from Nicha Toyisch and the nurse who visits the settlement weekly took care of the regular dressing changes.
After about two months the foot was healed and after six months the TB treatment was completed.
(Written by Dr Richard Wiens, chief physician at Sanatorium ASCIM)
This story shows our impact in one moment in a person’s life as part of our practical work over the long term.
In the field of education, we offer training for teachers. In the health sector, there is training and accompaniment for health personnel and preventive care, consultations and if necessary referrals for patients. We cooperate with administrative boards of the settlements on cost estimates, give advice on livestock farming and agriculture and offer training in bookkeeping. We provide socio-spiritual training for women. We provide teaching materials for kindergarten and we train Indigenous teachers. Voluntary services are available with recommendation from their home church.
Overall, we believe our work is holistic and contributes to peace.
All glory to God!
Heinrich Dyck Harder is the vice director of ASCIM (Associacion De Servicios De Cooperacion Indigena – Menonita) in Yalve Sanga, Paraguay.
Website: ASCIM.org