Kim Sikorski, MD, acting secretary of Homeopaths Without Borders, writes from Mexico about her memorable experience in Guatemala:

Tomato juice and beer—a lunchtime favorite in Guatemala—was one of the little things I learned about from my students during my stint teaching pediatric homeopathy in Guatemala City.. More significantly, I discovered how eager the students were for more education.

In cooperation with Karl Robinson and his Homeopathy School of the Americas, I arrived in the city on May 16 and was picked up at the airport by Augusto who drove me to my hotel and later to the club where Karl was already teaching a session. I was very grateful for the services of Augusto, as the division of the city into numbered sectors was very confusing to me. I was able to observe Karl present a very interesting case from his private practice and I noted how involved and aware the students were.

Beginning at 9 AM the following morning, I began my class on pediatric homeopathy. Despite the heat, we worked until 6 in the evening, refreshed by small breaks (refacciones), cool breezes and that unusual, for me, combination of tomato juice and beer at lunch.

I was very impressed with the students’ knowledge of classical homeopathy. Because they were so well-grounded, we were able to skip the basics and become really involved with Materia Medica for children, repertory, rubrics, miasmatic rotation and predominance, and case-taking. Everyone enjoyed the day, which ended with the students hosting Karl and me at dinner at a popular restaurant with wonderful food and music.

The next day, it was back to work. We focused on the case of a child who was the grandson of one of the students. With his mother present, we were able to ask questions and observe the child. At the end, applying all they had learned in the seminar, the class decided that Phosphorus was the appropriate remedy---and it worked! The child is doing better.

I felt very rewarded when I received an invitation to participate in the Third Congress of Classical Homeopathy in Guatemala in November. It is wonderful to teach people who are so desirous of learning. In November, we shall investigate the possibility of expanding the program into rural regions where we can help more low-income people learn about homeopathy.

I shall never forget this experience. As a daily reminder I can look at the lovely embroidered bedspread that was given to me as a parting gift. The Guatemalans call this “ending with a golden pin”.

Kim Sikorski

July 2007