Dear Friends and Supporters,
For more than 12 years, our Annual Health Fair has been one of the most meaningful days on the calendar for the communities of southwestern Nicaragua – and this year, it was truly something special. I’ve attended every single one, and I can say without hesitation: 2026 was the best Health Fair we’ve ever held.
A Day of Care, Community & Celebration
Each year, for one Saturday, we throw open our clinic grounds and reach out across more than 26 impoverished, rural communities in our area. Families living with extremely limited resources travel to us from all over – and we make sure transportation is never a barrier. Our team arranges rides so that no one is left behind.
This year, we were joined by an extraordinary group of volunteers: nurses and doctors from the nearby cities of Tola and Rivas, as well as dedicated volunteers from the United States. Together with our professional clinic team, they spent the day providing checkups, diagnosing patients, and distributing free medicines to visiting families.
While adults registered and waited for care, the children were treated to a full day of delight: a clown, community dance performances, fun games with prizes, a piñata, a free lunch, and ice cream to finish the day with smiles all around.
1,520 services provided this year – up from 723 last year
More than double the impact in a single day.
This remarkable increase reflects better organization of patient flow, a larger team of volunteer medics, and the incredible support of our community partners. And we had something no health fair can plan for: the best weather in the fair’s history. Not too hot, not too windy – just a beautiful day for healing.
What We Offer: A Remarkable Range of Care in One Day
What does a rural health fair in southwestern Nicaragua actually look like, medically? Perhaps more than you might expect. In a single day, in a remote community setting, our volunteer medics and clinic team deliver a breadth of specialized services that would be impressive anywhere – and are truly extraordinary here.
This year’s fair offered all of the following to patients and their families, completely free of charge:
Special Highlights from This Year’s Fair:
❤️ Ministry of Health Mobile Dentistry: Patients received dental cleanings and extractions, a vital service rarely accessible in rural communities.
❤️ Police Motorcycle Helmet Demonstration: With the new Coastal Highway running near our clinic – a road that has created a significant rise in traffic emergencies – local police came to promote the life-saving importance of wearing helmets.
❤️ Partner NGOs & Local Organizations: We were proud to have representation from Fun Limón and other local NGOs, deepening our ties with the broader community.
❤️ Rancho Santana Resort: The award-winning nearby seaside resort generously donated tents, tables, and chairs, helping us accommodate far more families in comfort.
❤️ An Emergency in the Field: Our team’s skills were put to the test when a patient presented symptoms that led to a rapid diagnosis of likely appendicitis. The patient was immediately transferred to the Rivas hospital – a reminder of why access to skilled medical care matters so deeply in these communities.
Looking Ahead – and an Invitation
I applaud this 12-year tradition and the remarkable clinic team and community who make it happen year after year. We are already planning for next February’s event – stay tuned!
And here’s a thought: February is the perfect time to visit coastal Nicaragua. Perhaps you’d consider a seaside vacation – and the chance to give back to the community at the same time. We’d love to have you join us.
As always, thank you for your continued support of the Roberto Clemente Health Clinic. The pictures from this year’s fair say more than words ever could – it was a truly wonderful day.
To your health,
Julia Guth
Chair of the Board, Roberto Clemente Health Clinic
[email protected]
P.S. In my next eletter, I’ll share a Save the Date for our 2027 Health Fair, plus a report on another Outreach event we recently completed – for those who couldn’t make it to the Health Fair. We try to help everyone have access to better health, with your help.
P.P.S. We are a 501(c)(3) charity in good standing, registered in Maryland. To make a donation and help our team continue this vital work, please visit here. Every contribution makes a difference.