St. Andrew’s Children’s Clinic

St Andrew's Children's Clinic lobby. Phot by Allana Erickson

Frankly there are times when I look at a non-profit group and wonder if they are even helping people or just claiming it, like the Genocide Awareness Project.

However, I do not question this with the St. Andrew’s Children’s Clinic in Nogales Arizona. St. Andrew’s Children Clinic is a free children’s clinic providing quality medical care to impoverish Mexican children.

On the first Thursday of every month children, doctors, volunteers and families travel to the clinic needing help or wanting to help.  The children and their families all come from Sonora, Mexico and travel for a day or even two to get to the clinic.

Volunteers setting up an outside store. Photo by Allana Erickson

The clinic gives day Visas for the families traveling across the border to receive medical care. The clinic has many different doctors ranging in audiologist, speech therapy specialist, orthopedic doctors, physical therapist, vision specialist, cleft palates surgeons and many more.  They have been doing this for the last 35 years.

On April 1st, I traveled down to St. Andrew’s Children’s Clinic on assignment for class. The entire clinic takes place in a small church a few miles outside the Nogales. The church is small but uses ever single space they have for this event.

The audiologist testing Tony for hearing. Phot by Allana Erickson

I spent my day was spent watching passionate audiologist, Ted Glattke, diagnose children who had hearing problems. The retired doctor was very gentle when he spoke to his patience, I particular two-year-old name Tony. Tony’s grandmother suspected her grandson to be deaf and wanted to be sure.

After 15 minutes of testing, I was instructed to stand in front of Tony and wave a stuffed snowman in front of him. The goal was to distract Tony from the toy using speakers. If Tony looked toward the speakers it would mean he wasn’t deaf. I didn’t know this was the procedure at the time but figured it out when the audiologist jumped out of his seat, and punch the air screaming “He’s no deaf,” when Tony looked at the speaker. I couldn’t help but smile at the news.

Tony looking towards the speaker. Photo by Allana Erickson.

In addition, I watched as Ted and an ear-nose-and-throat doctor discuss how to bring a child to Tucson to have surgery on here ears. They spent a lot of time, and made numerous phone calls to make sure a surgeon saw this girl.

This is just one example of the thousands of people who have experienced the compassion of the doctors or the kindness of the volunteers. This non-profit is amazing because they allow people who would normally not have a way to see a doctor or get medical help.

Doctors discussing surgery options for a patient. Phpt by Allana Erickson

If it wasn’t for dedicated volunteers and donations the clinic would not be able to function. If you would like to volunteer your first Thursday of the month or donate money please call (520) 648-3242 or email office@standrewsclinic.org.