What we’re doing is beyond climbing

On May 13th a group of climbers and doctors will embark on a two-week expedition to climb four peaks in Bolivia. But it’s not the climbing that is noteworthy. The team is returning to the town of Chuñavi to start the process of building a medical clinic that will save lives and provide much needed medical access to people who never had it.

Doctor helping child

New Hampshire based mountain guide, Paul Cormier, founded the Chuñavi Fund. The goal is to raise approximately $45,000 to build the clinic — this year Paul raised nearly $10,000 toward that goal. It’s a daunting task considering the state of the economy and the scope of the operation. Building a clinic in Bolivia requires more than brick and mortar. For a clinic to truly succeed on its own requires ownership and responsibility among the community leadership and its members.

The groundwork for developing formal agreements with elected officials, community leaders, and the Bolivian Health Ministry requires experience and leadership and this is why Mano a Mano International is teaming with the Chuñavi Fund.

Founded in 1994 by Segundo and Joan Velasquez, Mano a Mano started as a grassroots organization by simply taking surplus or unused medical supplies that hospitals and clinics were discarding and shipping them to Bolivia. Since those humble beginnings in 1994, Mano a Mano has accomplished impressive achievements bringing medical care to over 700,000 Bolivians. This business model resulted in an invitation to speak at the prestigious 2010 Montreal Millennium Summit. Here’s why:

In the past 15 years Mano a Mano has achieved the following in Bolivia

  • Shipped over 2.7 million pounds of medical surplus and distributed it to over 200 health care organizations in Bolivia
  • Built over 108 clinics throughout Bolivia, 99 clinics have achieved financial independence
  • Constructed three agricultural reservoirs
  • Built nearly 1,000 kilometers of roads
  • Constructed school classrooms and housing for teachers in 37 communities
  • Own and operate two planes in their growing aviation program that transports equipment, staff and patients in and out of very isolated communities providing life-saving care

The primary goal of this trip is to introduce community leaders in Chuñavi with representatives of Mano a Mano. Building a successful clinic relies on upfront discussions that clearly define: the construction schedule, what each party will contribute to the process, and the responsibilities each participating entity will have in ensuring the clinic becomes financially independent. In addition to this, the members of the climbing team will conduct a three-day medical outreach clinic.

You can help us help others by donating to Mano a Mano International 501(c) (3)