Tribal Outreach Medical Assistance

January 2024 Update:

With a successful trip to the villages of Gunsey and Busin, and a solar system installed in each, 2024 has started out as a tremendous success. Our solar technician Yarnel even managed to repair another nearby system that the Colombian government had installed incorrectly.

From the communities of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and from the team, mil gracias to everyone who supported this trip. This work would not be possible without you. More details to come!

In gratitude,

The 2024 TOMA Team

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The main objective of TOMA Foundation’s March 2023 trip to the Sierra was to

support our team member Yarnel’s vision of creating a solar training center for

the Arhuaco tribal youth at his village near Pueblo Bello, two hours north of

Valledupar. Yarnel built a “maloca” (round structure with mud walls and grass

roof) to use as the classroom. Our team arrived on March 11th with the following

objectives:

Several of the village’s young people assisted in the construction as team members Maria and Carol performed dental cleanings, sealants, and extractions nearby.

Additionally, TOMA Foundation has begun to support the financial independence

of the Arhuaca women of the Sierra by providing avenues to sell handcrafted bags

and beaded jewelry. Please reach out if you’d like us to reserve some of these

pieces for you or your loved ones.

As always, the people of the Sierra Nevada and TOMA Foundation thank you for

your continued support.

TOMA 2023 Team: Randy Green, Taylor Green, John Werner, Yarnel Villafaña Torres

Gonawindua Tribal Health IPSI: Wilman Suarez Izquierdo, M.D., Jaison Perez Villafaña, Yarnel Villafaña Torres

Support Team: Dan Martin – Layout / Design; Taylor Green – Photography, Video