Connecting the dots

I have been traveling a ton this last six weeks. New York (more than once), LA, Miami, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Providence, West Virginia, Seattle, Washington, DC, and Atlanta - to name but a few.

Every place is a bit different. There is, however, a lot of similarity. The one thing that is almost ubiquitous is the seeming lack of social service resources that punctuates every community. I intentionally use the word "seeming," because the resources are often hidden.

All of the programs I have visited are doing amazing work. For some, they have dedicated their work toward housing resources, for other programs their resources are grounded in health care services delivery. The common denominator for every program is the emphasis they place in investing their resources into only a handful of programmatic activities. This works. They are very proficient and skillful providers.

The piece that falls off is the fact that people most seem to need comprehensive services. As such, many programs struggle to truly meet the needs of the clients they serve. The tool that every community has to overcome this "lack of comprehensive resources" is collaboration.

When communities come together to share their resources (i.e., their best practices) - the client is more effectively served. This is not as easy as it may sound. The challenge becomes working to build bridges of collaboration. This is the focus of HBI. We work to identify community resources - and then build collaborative opportunities for programs to work in partnership.

This "bridge building" model seems to be the most effective mechanism for shaping lasting change. HBI is an organization that is dedicated to building bridges. Bridges between resources and need. Bridges between opportunities and allies. Bridges of Hope.

Epic Run 2011

Health Bridges International is sponsoring an exciting fundraising event in December 2011. The First Annual Bridging the Divide: 100 Kilometers for the Poor, will take place on two challenging courses through some of the poorest areas in Lima, Peru and the high-altitude city of Arequipa, Peru.

HBI will be holding two charity runs in the two principle cities of Peru. In Lima we will run a course that takes us from high sand hills to the Pacific Ocean; and in Arequipa, we will run up and down high Andean foothills. This two-event run will draw greater attention to the needs of the poor and highlight the opportunity to better support Peruvian organizations. HBI will be partnering with Peruvian healthcare NGO's to emphasize the health and medical needs of people living in extreme poverty in Lima and Arequipa.

The logistics for the event are as follows:

(1) Dates: The runs will take place on December 10 and December 13. Runners who decide to join HBI, will need to be in Peru by December 08. Every major carrier (LAN Chile, Continental, Delta, American) and a few lesser airlines (Taca, Spirit Airlines, Copa Airlines), have flights from the east and west coast of the U.S. (Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Houston, San Francisco, and Atlanta) into Lima.

(2) Details: We are only taking 5-runners on this trip.* The logistics and the planning are such that we need to limit the number of participants. If you are interested - please contact Ben Grass (HBI's Director of Operations; benjamin@HBInt.org) as soon as possible. We will close out the slots on a first come first go basis.

(3) Fundraiser: We are asking anyone who chooses to join Health Bridges International for this event to help raise donations and support. Every runner is expected to raise a minimum of $1,000 in pledges or donations. Participants will receive information to help explain the logistics and methods for fundraising. All donations to HBI are tax deductible and go directly to help support programs and projects for the poorest communities in Latin America.

(4) Preparations: The run will take place during the Latin American summer months (think Southern Hemisphere). Plan for hot weather in Lima and warm weather at very high altitude (8,000 feet above sea level) in Arequipa. We will have all of the supplies taken care of - from food to clean water to hotel accommodations. You will need to be prepared to run two 50km "races" in three days. This is not going to be an easy event. And, it will be the adventure of a lifetime . . . guaranteed!

(5) Trip Costs: Participants will need to budget for the following (approximate) expenses:

Item	Expected Cost
Air travel – international	$1,000-1,400
Air travel – Domestic	$150
Room and Board (we will cover room, transfers, most meals and general supplies)	$375
Event Costs	$125
Total	$1,650-2,050

We will need to get hotel rooms, rent vehicles and start the planning really soon. So please get in contact with Ben Grass (benjamin@HBInt.org) as soon as possible. Until then - start running.

* HBI reserves the right to screen runners for their ability to complete this very challenging event.

You are Helping to Make a Difference

July has been a fantastic month for HBI. Here are three great ways that you have helped to make a difference:

Team Peru: Our Team Peru 2011 Outreach campaign was our most successful to date. We had record numbers of volunteers and trip participants. We served more people in the first week of the trip than ever before (please see our numbers below) and made significant alliances with local organizations working in Ica and Arequipa. It was a fantastic team effort, thanks in great part to your generosity.

Statistics from week one Team Peru 2011:

• General and pediatric medical visits: 902
• Dental care: 221 (extractions, restorative care [fillings, cleanings, etc.], and advanced procedures)
• Toothbrushes dispensed: 750+
• Eye screenings for visual acuity and cataracts: 700+
• Potential cataract operation patients: 160
• Neonatal Resuscitation Training Program (NPR Trainings): 4 trainings to Ministry of Health clinics and staff with over 70 attendees (physicians, nurses, midwives, etc.)
• Training in Rehabilitation Medicine at Alas Peruanas University in Ica: 50 physical therapy student attendees
• Health Education talks on: Nutrition, Healthy Pregnancies, Dental Care, Tooth Brushing, HIV/AIDS prevention, Hand Washing
• Glasses are being prepared for 22 formerly homeless boys living at the Union Biblica Casa Girasoles in Ica

HBI Website and Blog: July was a record month for the number of visitors to the HBI website and blog. Throughout the month we had over 680 visitors to the blog and over 1,000 visitors to the website. Certainly, this does not put us in the category of Facebook, but it is a firm indication of our growing community of followers and dedicated HBI volunteers. Please keep coming back. We are working on ways to enhance the website and provide more timely blog posts and organizational updates. Connecting to you, our stakeholders, is critical to our work.

Advocacy: During the Team Peru trip, our team had a young girl come to the campaign seeking help. She was living in a violent home and wanted help getting out. Through careful advocacy with our Peruvian partners and professional colleagues, we were able to help place the girl in a supportive environment. This advocacy, helping to build a social safety-net in fragile, poverty stricken communities, is only made possible through your generosity and commitment to the work of HBI. Through your assistance, we were able to truly make a difference. Through your help - we are changing the world!

Team Peru 2011 - The End

Photo: A final photo shot of "El Misti" before leaving Arequipa

Photo: The Arequipa airport just before we take-off to end the trip

Photo: Arequipa is such a beautiful city, with the ChaChani moutain looming over the airport

After three weeks of planning, campaign, and debrief - the 2011 Team Peru Outreach Trip has officially come to an end.

Okay, not fully - as HBI's Director of Operations is still in Peru finishing up a couple of meetings in Lima and helping to inventory to the medications and supplies at the HBI warehouse. However, all of our team members are back home in the USA or off on exciting excursion trips in Peru.

It was a fantastic trip. We have so many exciting stories to share and new connections to promote. I will be writing a few updates in the coming weeks. Until then, thank you to everyone who has helped to make our summer 2011 outreach trip to Peru such an amazing success!

What do children do in your country?

Photo: Martin enthralling the boys

Photo: The MIMDES program is located in the back of a busy market

Photo: The entrance into the program

Photo: Singing a song in the hopes of getting an extra slice of cake

Photo: The children introducing themselves and telling us about their work

Photo: Our introductions and Q&A session

Photo: The sign that introduces the program at the front door

"Do children in your country work?"

We were invited to a street youth program this morning run by the Peruvian Ministry for Woman and Social Rights (MIMDES). The program is a prevention and education project for children who spend everyday with their parents working in the markets and on the streets of Arequipa. There are currently three geographic areas of operation - the three principle street markets in the city - with Saturday and Wednesday activities.

Staff (a psychologist by the name of Marcos and Martin and Mariam - both Social Workers) from MIMDES provide an environment and an opportunity "for children to be children." As Marcos told us, many of the children who spend their days working in the markets or on the streets side-by-side with their parents "lose their childhood." One of the programmatic goals of the program is to allow children the opportunity to play, laugh and engage in child-centric activities.

Today, during our visit, there was a cake, cookies and a small celebration; for what, we don't know, but it was fantastic to be there. We were treated as special guests and invited to play with the some 20 children gathered at the "party." To start our time together, Marcos invited the children to ask us questions or tell us a little about themselves. The children took full advantage of their opportunity and asked such marvelous questions as, "Why are you bald? Why are your eyes blue? What language do people speak where you are from?"

One-by-one they went around and told us their names and what they did for work: Kevin sells fish with his mother, Wilson sell clothing, Mary Luz sells chocolates, Jessica helps her mother to deliver water, Stephanie is a meat cutter. Children, some as young as 5-years old, work side-by-side with their parents to eke out a small wage. Many, not all, attend a small school that is open in the market area. Most, dream of something so much more.

At one point in our visit, a little girl asked Martin, "What do children do in your country?" He was uncertain how to respond. He told her that they went to school and that they played. She asked him if children in [our] country worked like she did. Martin later told me that he was uncertain how to respond to her question - for he did not want to offend her. He did not know how to tell her that children in the U.S. spend their days playing and watching television. He did know how to tell her that children are allowed to be . . . children.

As we were getting ready to leave, the children came up to say goodbye. One of the boys, having been fascinated with the pictures I had on my iPhone of Lee and Alex (my wife and daughter), said "please give my best to your family." Wow, here is a child who spends day after day working in an impoverished market for little to no pay to help support his family - and he sends his best for my family. I was floored.

We are not certain what next steps will unfold with our new partners at MIMDES - but we are certainly looking forward to helping to build bridges for their programs and the wonderful work they are doing for children living in such desperate circumstances.

Photos from the 2011 Team Peru Outreach Campaign

Photo: One of our fantastic Peruvian partners

Photo: HBI staff Alyssa and Ben

Photo: Dr. Bob and Carmen seeing patients in Girasoles

Photo: "Iron-lady" Augusta Shipsey teaching oral hygiene

Photo: A couple of our new friends

Photo: The quite before the storm on one of the first clinic days

Photo: Clinic in Ica

Photo: Some of our team during week one

Off they go

Today is the official "last day" of the 2011 Team Peru outreach trip. We have team members departing all day. Some are off to Cusco and the magnificent Machu Picchu and others are headed back to the states and reintegration into their busy lives.

The HBI team will be meeting with our Peruvian partners, debriefing the trip and repacking our warehouse in Arequipa and Lima over the next few days. One thing that everyone is fully in agreement about, this has been a fantastic trip.

A big thank you must go out to all of our team members and everyone who has helped to support this marvelous two weeks of outreach, bridge building and service.