CONTAINER SHIPMENTS

Each year our organization typically ships four to six 40-foot containers of donated medical supplies, clothing, school supplies and other humanitarian aid items to the towns of Sulaco, Pimienta and to the School Sisters of Notre Dame to be used and distributed in Honduras. Each shipment we send can cost up to $4,000 in shipping fees and import taxes (in the past, we have received grants to alleviate these costs).

In addition to medicine, these 40-foot containers contained hundreds of student and teacher desks and many computers from Saint Francis Borgia Regional High School and East Central College, donations of clothing, bicycles, food, hygiene products, fabric, appliances, construction equipment, as well as school, office, medical and dental supplies. We received donations from innumerable individuals, businesses, schools and churches. We are blessed by the continued support of St. John’s Mercy Hospital. Items on shipments were distributed to the poor by Honduran volunteers or by members of our group during brigades.

CONTINUED PROVISION OF MEDICINE SHIPPED TO HONDURAS

The Honduran Centros de Salud (Health Centers) are chronically without even basic medicines to treat the patients who are seen by doctors and nurses. WOM continues to provide medicine to Honduras on an ongoing basis in a number of ways.
• WOM receives samples of medicines a variety of sources. Pharmacist Mary Howard and other volunteers work year-round to condense and organize these samples for use in March.
• Our group purchases vitamins, antibiotics and pain relief medicine at cost using donations from groups and individuals. This medicine is shipped for WOM brigades and for distribution to Honduran health care providers.
• We receive medicine, medical supplies, and items for hygiene from Catholic Medical Mission Board.
• Containers of medicine, medical and hygiene supplies are sent directly from donors with the aid of Universal Heart.

Each year our group distributes large amounts of medicine during the March brigades. Any extra medicine is left on brigade sites with health care providers or is given to Dr. Raul Ugarte to distribute. After the March 2006 brigade our surplus combined with a shipment from Universal Heart was shared with the following: The Red Cross of San Manuel, Red Cross of Potrerillos from Villanueva, the Air Force in Lima, the Alcalde of Concepción del Norte of Santa Barbara, the Alcalde of Santa Rita, La Arada and Nispero.

UMKC DENTAL PROGRAM

WOM has been instrumental in helping Dr. Tom Jones of UMKC establish a mobile dental clinic to provide restorative dental treatment in different parts of Honduras. During her sabbatical in Honduras from January to April, Janice Meyer began working with Dr. Jones to organize for the dental brigade. She returned in July to assist with the first clinic. A group of 35 dental school professors, technicians and dental students provided care in Pimienta. During future visits, the team will travel to cities including Tegucigalpa. As a former student of Dr. Jones and member of his team in Venezuela, Jackie Miller was the initial connection to our group. WOM helped by shipping the dental chairs and units and will provide ongoing storage of equipment in our newly constructed bodega in Pimienta.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Our scholarship program was developed to allow students to attend school beyond the sixth grade. Eileen Chalk, who heads this committee, reports that during the 2005 school year 23 donors sponsored 27 students. The cost of sponsoring a student is $400 annually and covers tuition, books, uniforms and transportation to the city, typically San Pedro Sula. In Honduras a child must have a uniform and required school supplies to be able to attend. From the general fund of scholarship money, several additional students in the Pimienta area receive assistance for items needed to attend school.

Dr. Raul Ugarte also has a dozen students in Pimienta who need funding for tuition and expenses to enable them to continue their education. These students were selected by the school principals based on their class-work and family need. A $40 per month donation will sponsor one child. We have photos and letters from the children in these programs. This year (2006) money designated for scholarships made possible a year of education past the sixth grade for approximately 10 students. The school year runs from February through November for most schools.

There also are opportunities to donate money for scholarships through the School Sisters of Notre Dame (Casa Carolina, Sister Teresita). Checks can be sent to the mother house in St. Louis Missouri located at 320 East Ripa Avenue ~ St. Louis, MO 63125

For additional information on these programs, please contact Eileen Chalk at eileenc@yhti.net.

DAY CARE PROJECT

In August of 2001 with funding and supplies from our group, the "Damas" of the Honduran Red Cross opened the first daycare in Pimienta, Cortes. Prior to the establishment of this facility, many single mothers were forced to leave their infants in the care of older siblings, while they worked. There "older" siblings ( who were 8 and 9 years olds) had to stay home from school to take care of their younger brothers and sisters.

The daycare offers its services at very low fees and many times without any cost to the mothers, depending on their financial situation. Donations are always needed and appreciated. Any further questions may be addressed to Dr. Jackie Miller at smyldr@yahoo.com.

Washington Overseas Mission
Phone: 636-433-2889 | email: longdtz@centurytel.net
Washington Overseas Mission | P.O. Box 1154 | Washington, MO 63090