*re-posted from the ACBL February Bulletin* By Maritha Pottenger, ACBL The San Diego bridge community has been extremely generous over the last eight years in supporting the medical missions of Ray Sachs, an orthopedic surgeon. In 2019, we raised a record amount, over $18,000, bringing the eight-year total to between […]
Esperança Returns to Nicaragua After Two Years
It has been close to two years since Esperança’s last boots on the ground surgical mission in Nicaragua. Due to an unstable sociopolitical climate, we stopped sending United States volunteer-led teams. Fortunately, some good did come from these events. Esperança’s local partner, AVODEC, determined that a huge health gap was […]
Going Red for American Heart Month and for Women
By: Vianey Pineda, Esperança Community Health Intern
American Heart Month is recognized nationwide in February. In 2020, National Wear Red Day falls on Friday, February 7th to raise awareness about heart disease.
February is the month of the heart, and has been designated as such to encourage Americans to
Scorching Temperatures Devastate Crops in Mozambique
According to the World Food Programme, 80% of the population of Mozambique cannot afford an adequate diet, causing 42.3% of children under five to be stunted in growth. In fact, the country ranked 102 of 118 in the most recent Global Hunger Index. This year has been especially difficult for […]
A Decade Without A Dentist
Every six months is the general rule for taking your child to the dentist, so the thought of a ten year-old going to the dentist for the first time is almost unimaginable. That means missing 20 visits worth of cleanings, cavity prevention, and oral health education.Ten year-old Jeferson never had […]
How to Start Volunteering: Finding Volunteer Opportunities that Suit You
Have you been wondering how to start volunteering? Well, it’s never been easier! In fact, it’s constantly increasing in popularity and more people than ever before are taking part in voluntary works all across the globe.Today, people of all abilities and ages are looking for ways they can support causes […]
Building Homes & Improving Health in Peru
Two years ago, Lorenzo and his young family lived in despair.A proud member of the Q’eros Nation, a cluster of villages made up of the indigenous people of the Peruvian Andes, Lorenzo was accustomed to living through treacherous terrain and harsh weather. However, living conditions often put his family in […]
Medical Supply Donations are Saving Lives in Nicaragua
Esperança’s medical brigade team routinely visits Isabel’s community to provide primary, pediatric, and dental care. Her children had received screenings and teeth cleanings, and were living healthier than ever before! However, Isabel herself was struggling. Isabel is diabetic, and must administer insulin two times per day to keep her blood […]
Preventing Disease as a Family
Mery Rodríguez is a 60 year-old participant in the workshops. She lives with her oldest daughter who has two children of her own. Mery worked all her life selling food and soft drinks at a street stand. Her diet consisted of noodles, rice, meat, and potatoes, all with a lot […]
Kindness Brings Courage
Submitted by: Eileen Kane, Esperança medical volunteer Sometimes the human elements of kindness, tenderness and caring make as big an impact as the success of a complicated surgery. It was in Santarem, Brazil, in the early nineties when a beautiful young lady appeared at the clinic in the hope of […]
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