A Conversation With Honduras Country Director, Juan Ramon Mateo
Country Director, Juan Ramon Mateo shared his thoughts on the significance and impact of
HOPE worldwide Community Service Brigades. Read the conversation below:
HOPE worldwide Honduras Country Director, Juan Ramon Mateo & Family
Q: What does it mean for the CSBs to come to your country?
A: The CSBs represent hope in the face of many needs for medical attention, medicines, and vitamins for children and adults who do not have the possibility of receiving specialized care or the means to purchase prescription drugs.
We are grateful for the opportunities CSBs generate to support other programs like providing food to families in their time of need and supporting entrepreneurs so that they can improve their standard of living.
In each brigade, we are able to witness the brotherly love that the local residents receive from each volunteer who serves in the brigade, and the brotherhood that grows between volunteers from the United States and Honduras.
Q: Why is it important for the CSBs to continue coming to your country?
A: Many people benefit from the medical treatments, the health of children and adults is strengthened, and they are given access to services that are not easy to find in the health system of our country, such as dentistry, vitamins, chiropractors, oncologists, blood work, and psychologists.
The connections of affection that are developed between foreign doctors and volunteers and Honduran patients create joy and much love.
Q: Where will we serve when we travel to your country?
A: We serve in the village of Monteverde, in the Chamelecón San Pedro Sula sector, in the department of Cortes. We also serve in the village of San Antonio de Majada department of Santa Bárbara.
Q: How are the people in your country impacted by the CSBs?
A: There is a direct impact on the health of many people since the vast majority receive treatment for monthlong diseases such as high and low blood pressure, diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, and stomach diseases. Also, the health status of each patient is monitored between brigades. There is a positive economic impact on the families served because their income would not typically support these treatments. The families’ faith is impacted as well due to the treatment received.
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