Call for Sponsors 2021

Thanks to our sponsors, we saw eight of our Barrón scholarship students graduate from university in 2021. Some of these students have been in the program since freshmen in high school. Of the eight graduates, half have entered internship programs ranging from medical doctor to accountant. In all cases, our generous sponsors are supporting their students through their internships as well.

FOB now has 28 Barrón students on university scholarship; 23 of these students have sponsors. We have five new students in need of sponsors. If you are an EDM resident and wish to sponsor one of these students, contact Dick or Kris McGuire, Phase 1, condo 106. Meanwhile, talk to one of the many past and present EDM sponsors about their experience and the cross cultural opportunities the program has afforded it’s sponsors, our students and their families. This program provides a unique opportunity to connect with the local community! For details on how the program works click on the “Scholarships” tab on the fob news.org website.

Nayleth Isabel has been sponsored by Lee Smith

Nayleth is 19 and in her second year at Mazatlan’s school of fine arts studying to become a pre-school teacher. She has a one-year-old child and with her mother’s help babysitting, she is able to maintain a solid B average. Her ultimate goal after graduation is to open a new day care center in Barrón to eventually provide this important service for the many working mothers.

Ana Julieta has been sponsored by Margaret Perez

Ana is 18 years old and is in her second year studying accounting at Sinaloa state university in Mazatlan. Accounting is a five year program which includes one year of apprenticeship. Ana was raised by a single mim and is working almost full-time while in school trying to help pay her own way. She maintains a 9.0 grade average.

Katia Berenice has been sponsored by Reed and Bette Ratcliffe

Katia is 21 years old and a first year student in dentistry at Northern Pacific University in Mazatlan. She enjoys reading and spending time with her baby daughter. She works half-time while in school and contributes to her education and do her parents. Dental school costs range from $4000 -$6000 pesos per month and she is having difficulty making ends meet on her own. She has expressed a desire to volunteer as an intern at the FOB Medical/Dental Clinic in Barrón.

William Smith has been sponsored by Dale Lyster

William is nineteen years old and is enrolled in education at the University of Sinaloa, Mazatlan where he is pursuing a high school teaching degree. This is a five-year program. He is helping to put himself through school by working sixteen hours a week as a waiter in the restaurants in Isla de la Piedra and as a day laborer in the agricultural fields of Barrón. He volunteers as an internet technology tutor for kids in the secondary and high schools of Barrón. Ultimately, his goal is to be a teacher and set up workshops for kids to learn new technologies after school hours.

Katia Guadalupe has been sponsored by Reed and Bette Ratcliffe

Katia is nineteen years old and is a sophomore in the Nursing Program at the University of Sinaloa, Mazatlan. She is a graduate of the Barrón high school where she maintained an 8.5 GPA. During her summer vacations and on weekends, she works in a mango packing plant and as a waitress at Stone Island. One of her goals when she graduates is to return to Barrón and work as a nurse.

Fundraising Effort Tops $5000

The year-end fundraiser to fund the Barrón Free Medical/Dental Clinic has topped $5000 triggering a 100% match from our anonymous donor. There are ten days left to send your 2021 Charitable Donation and qualify for the new 50% match by another anonymous donor. Please consider making your donation today. Send your check to FOB CANAM, c/o Richard McGuire, 18 Oxford Ranch Rd, Laramie, Wyoming. 82070 or use PayPal (FOB_CANAM@aol.com).

FOB Year End Fundraiser Kicks Off

Hello dear friends,
Since we last spoke, our efforts in the tiny Mexican town of Barrón have continued.  With your generous past donations much has been accomplished!  Let us bring you up to speed.
Last year we reached our fundraising goals and kept the medical and dental clinic open throughout the year.  The clinic is now open 5 to 6 days a week and is staffed by a full time nurse, Monica, a medical doctor, Dr. Jesus, three times a week, and a dentist Dr. Javier (who is a Barron native) two days a week.  In addition, individual appointments with a nutritionist and a physical therapist, Oscar, have proven to be quite popular.

(Left to Right) Physical Therapist and Nurse Oscar Rios, Administrator and Nurse Monica Rubi, Doctor Jesus Guerrero

(Left to Right) Doctor Jesus Guerrero, Dentist and Barron native Dr Javier Wiltron, Physical therapist Oscar Rios

The staff sees 40-60 patients a week.  This number surged to 60-80 patients per week over the summer when the Delta variant of COVID ravaged the town, causing the infectivity rate to soar to 40%-60% of the patients tested.  The clinic was able to provide free COVID tests and physician consultations to symptomatic people during this difficult time.  
Now that COVID has ebbed (at least for now), the clinic provides all medical services and a fully stocked pharmacy free to Barron residents.

Thanks to your generous donations, residents of this tiny town were able to access critical medical attention during a truly unprecedented time.  Care was present where normally it would have been completely absent.  Our clinic withstood the latest wave of COVID, on top of all the other ailments out there.

The Nuts and Bolts

  • It costs $2,500 per month to keep the clinic open and free. All the hard ground work has been done: securing the building, hiring the staff, stocking the pharmacy, and building trust within the community.  Now, it is just a matter of paying the monthly bills.   
  • Our goal is to raise $30,000 to cover the day to day expenses, as well as any curveballs the future has in store for us.
  • A generous Anonymous donor has pledged a 100% match as soon as initial donations reach $5,000 and a 50% match of the next $5,000! Please help us take advantage of these exciting challenge grants!
  • The Rotary Club of Fort Collins, Colorado has already pledged $7,500 for the purchase of medical and dental equipment.

The Barron clinic started in 2014 as a week long free clinic, with shower curtains defining the exam rooms in a small town hall. It was staffed by generous volunteers who willingly gave their time and expertise.  Today, it is a fully functioning, integrated asset to this little community, and it has withstood the test of Time. We have helped the citizens of Barron in profound and durable ways.  This could not have occured without your help so I ask you to consider donating again to this effort.

Visit the website https://fobnews.org for details and more pictures.
DONATE BY CHECK:  Please make your check payable to FOB CANAM INC  and mail it to: FOB CANAM INCc/o Richard J McGuire, 18 Oxford Ranch Road, Laramie, WY 82070
VIA PAYPAL: Send your donation to FOB_CANAM@aol.com   Indicate if you want money to go to dental/medical clinic.
VIA VENMO: Send your donation to @fobcanam.  Indicate if you want money to go to the dental/medical clinic.
FOB CANAM is a 501(c)3 charity and donations are tax deductible (EIN 81-4719413).  Tax receipts will be provided for all donations over $250 USD.

I thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,

Bonnie McGuire Wreschner MD

Barron Clinic Founder


Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day.  Teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.