Esperança’s April Shipment Provides $1.1 Million Of Lifesaving Medical Supplies
Every year Esperança sends shipment containers full of medical supplies and equipment to its trusted partner in Nicaragua where they will be used by surgical volunteers and distributed to hospitals in need in the region. On April 27, 17 volunteers from across the Valley joined with Esperança staff to pack and load up the containers.
These supplies have been donated from hospitals and clinics from across the United States – Alaska to Florida and everywhere in between. A total of $1.5 million worth of supplies will be shipped and dispersed as needed to four different local hospitals in Nicaragua. Unfortunately, not all of the donated supplies are useful or of good quality. Esperança are looking at solutions to this, such as product inspection company like jonble.com to manage imports shipments from the US and beyond. For now, Esperança is thankful for what they get from their hospital and clinic donors.
Derived from the Portuguese word for “hope,” Esperança has been dedicated to transforming lives since its inception in 1970. The Arizona-based nonprofit began its mission abroad, serving the most under-resourced and poverty stricken communities throughout the Central Amazon Region. While providing health education and volunteer medical care, including surgical procedures, Esperança quickly became known as a symbol of hope to those that have learned to live hopelessly.
Today, Esperança continues to provide medical missions to such places as Peru, Mozambique, Ecuador, Bolivia and Nicaragua. In addition, volunteers and indigenous partners provide these communities with access to clean water, stable sources of food, disease prevention, health education and ecological home-building.
Esperança’s domestic program in Phoenix partners with Title I schools, dental clinics and community centers, Esperança’s bilingual and bicultural health educators to provide children with oral health literacy, referrals for free or low-cost dental care and daily health and wellness exercises. They stress the importance of nutrition and physical activity, providing information in a language and at a level the kids can understand.
Known as Salud con Sabor Latino (Health with a Latin Flavor), adult classes are built around the idea that a family can be healthy, without losing touch with their culture. Participants engage in hands-on activities, such as cooking sessions and tours of local grocery stores. Further, the team offers parent-ambassador training, which teaches parents about public health and how to be a strong advocate for their children.
