Working with AVODEC, Esperança’s host country partner, HWC assembled a pediatric surgery team from Baylor Scott & White Hospital that travelled to Jinotega, Nicaragua, providing consultation and surgery services to the San Rafael Community Clinic. Dr. Custer and Dr. Mattix completed 37 pediatric consultations, and performed 25 successful surgeries. In 2017, the medical team compelted 55 consultations and 44 surgeries. “The medical trip was a great display of ongoing collaboration between Esperança and HWC, every year the trip gets better. Volunteering is a heart-warming experience,” Dr. Custer reported. The medical team is expecting to return in June 2018.

In June, HWC kicked off it’s clean water focus with two graduate student volunteers facilitating focus groups and completing household surveys to address clean water issues in several rural Jinotega communities. The volunteers also performed, analyzed, and evaluated the quality of water samples from the participating communities. The ultimate goal is to improve water quality and reduce the dangers of water-borne illness. Ms Ortiz returned in 2017 by completing an in-depth needs assessment in 13 communities.

“I am so grateful for the experience and even more grateful that the work we've done is already having
an impact. I am beyond humbled.”

Anna Ortiz , Graduate Student Volunteer