Heart Risk Prevention Campaign

Chimbote Rotary Club, aware of its constant concern about our community, has performed a free campaign of heart risk screening, as a prevention measure of health of city residents. This event took place on Sunday May 24th from 9:00 am. to 12:00 m. at Chimbote Rotary Club headquarters which is located at 131 Francisco Bolognesi Avenue, Chimbote city.

To accomplish this purpose, a Rotarians Optional Committee, chaired by the cardiologist physician Dr. Guillermo Arana Morales (who is a Chimbote Rotary Club member ) and other associates with the Institution of Paul Harris (founder of International Rotary), has agreed to undertake this noble social work of taking care for people's health which was headed for all social segments of our dear Chimbote.

It was reported that, to a better attention for beneficiaries on the day of the campaign, they previously had to register for free in Chimbote Rotary Club headquarters from 9:00 am. to 1:00 pm. and from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. (Monday - Friday). It was planned attend to 50 people but there were a little more to attend. (Watch more pictures below.)

Under the slogan "Rotarians Help to Change Lives" this prestigious institution, that serves community, was accomplishing a new social activity for our society and this way sowed seeds of interest in health care. Through this blog and in name of Rotarians in Chimbote Mr. Luis López del Castillo (Chimbote Rotary Club vice presidente) wants to thank, in a very special way, people for taking interest in their health care and consequently in a better future and development that our city yearns.

PICTURES ON HEART RISK PREVENTION CAMPAIGN

Chimbote Rotary Club
headquarters
located at 131 Francisco
Bolognesi
avenue,
Chimbote city.

Some residents of Chimbote that came to participate in this campaign, inside Rotary headquarters.

Now, inside Rotary meeting room waiting for their turn.

A medical visitor named Marcelo Meyer Otoya from PFIZER S.A. Laboratory makes a blood test to each person and writes down results.

This is the cardiologist Guillermo Arana Morales who is treating each pacient.

The Vice President of Chimbote Rotary Club Mr. Luis López del Castillo (standing)
helping in every
moment of
campaign.

Both health professionals are working very hard.

Just a little bit more and you will talk to the doctor.

Patients leaving doctor office after receiving their prescription.

The only thing I wanna say is: Good example to follow dear Rotarian friends, keep on working for development of Chimbote!!!

Micro Loans Given

Here are some of micro-loans given by the CHOI Peruvian Civil Association, through its "Micro-Lending Program", to people who live in neighborhoods surrounding father Jack's parish, located in La Victoria neighborhood in Chimbote, for they to start a small business and this way to improve their life quality and their families'. (More micro loans given)

Micro-Lending Program

In previous posts I have written some information about a non-profit organization called "Los Amigos" which is working for the poorest of humble neighborhoods in Chimbote. One of the committees of "Los Amigos" is called "Economic Development Council" in which a program called "Micro-Lending Program" is found, that runs through CHOI, a Peruvian Civil Association. It provides micro-loans for people living in neighborhoods surrounding father Jack's Parish to start a small business or improve one existing. Here is some information about how this program has started; this is a letter from the administration of the Program to benefactors:

It is gratifying to greet and to send you a message of health, peace and social mission of the parochial community of the "Support Association to Small Businesses Perpetual Help" ("Asociación de Apoyo a Pequeños Negocios Perpetuo Socorro.")

Our association was founded with the aim of supporting and promoting creation and implementation of small businesses in our jurisdiction (neighborhoods surrounding the parish) thanks to support from the sister parish of San Miguel from Prior Lake - MN in the USA and thus improving our life quality and business vision.

All this is crystallized thanks to the huge heart of these wonderful people: Richard and Monica Roe, Dave and Mary Velishek, Frank and Sharon Velishek, Larry and Gerry Anderson, Kevin and Dawn Ranagan, Rick Altendorf, Tom and Micky Dolsin, Dick and Ann Miller, Earl and Carol Milbrath, Mike and Marlene Leonard, Tony and Dorothy Brama, and to the blessed kindness of our guides father Jack Davis and mother Peggy Byrne.

This beautiful goal started on July 24th, 2000. That was the day of our founding, providing our first micro-loan on October 25th of the same year. Since that date on we have treated 482 applications in total and we are glad to see that through our sand granite given, the beneficiary families have been able to develop their personal and business assets, thereby improving their socio-economic, educational, cultural and family level.

That was the letter. Well, I wanna say that despite they are helping some people in need but however still you can find many other people and families in many neighborhoods in Chimbote not surrounding the parish waiting that their assets are discovered.

More Social Programs

Now I would like to share with you about some proyects on Environmental Care that were performed here in Chimbote in 2008 through the unconditional support of American benefactors and Rotarian friends from Chanhassen - Minessota in the USA in coordination with Chimbote Rotary Club.

Even though several good people (specially from the USA) are supporting Social Programs however there is still too much to do for the poorest in Chimbote because so many people are still waiting for a chance in their lives. Here are some pictures on the performed proyects:

P R O J E C T S - 2 0 0 8

GROUP: I

Students and teachers doing a Recycling Project presentation.

Speech to students about recycling and its importance.

GROUP: II

Youth Leaders and Sensitizers at a recycling speech.

Educational class about environment.

GROUP: III

Fixture with students referent to Global Warming.

Delivery of garbage cylinders for non-organic materials.

GROUP: IV

Detailed presentation about the project of recycling.

Delivery of garbage cylinders for organic waste.

MANY THANKS ROTARIAN FRIENDS

(from the Board of Directors of Support Programs)

In name of all of participants of the program which comprise a special family we built throughout these dedicated years contributing to many people: Children, young people, parents and all of community members. It is for us a great happiness to give and help through you. For this reason we would like to thank you for the unconditional support, with no distinctions neither barriers through the passing of the 2008 year, and all the years before giving us your support to make of our city a better place to live in.

CHIMBOTE - ANCASH - PERÚ

Beneficiaries of Educational Programs (DFS & LFT)

It is encouraging to see here in Chimbote some young people from the poor neighborhoods around and with no resources but with personal assets, talent for study, and great motivation, accomplishing their goals of studying a professional career at a technical institute or university with support of benefactors of the CHOI's educational programs "Dollars For Scholars" and "Leaders For Tomorrow" (DFS & LFT.)

Today these young people are ready to get better their life style and their families', face challenges of life, contribute to change for better their community, city and country, be better people that they were born to be, etc. All of this is possible because there are benefactors in other countries that are willing to assist, by means of CHOI's programs, people in need who are looking for a little impulse to improve their quality of life that in this case is through education.

List of young people beneficiaries that got to study a professional career by help of "Dollar For Scholars" and "Leaders For Tomorrow" programs (DFS & LFT)

Click on the list to expand it

However there are still many other young people less advantaged who have no the chance for their dreams and life goals to come true. Most of them have talents and abilities but unfortunately don't have enough resources or motivation for promoting or develop them consequently these assets, talents, abilities, etc are lost and this way human elements for change that every society needs never emerge and this brings underdevelopment and poverty for the people.

"Dollars For Scholars" and "Leaders For Tomorrow" Programs (DFS & LFT)

Founders (promoters) of these Programs were the American friends: JOSE and TERESA ADAMS. Today the programs remain in place thanks to generosity of new American friends: EARL MILBRATH, MIKE LEONARD and Rotarians friends from Chanhassen, MN in the USA.

These programs are an agreement between Chanhassen-MN Rotary Club and Chimbote-Perú Rotary Club in order to seek the best young people in the parish of Chimbote (who have personal assets potentially, want to develop them and make them work out in academic area) and offer them support for their university or technical studies.

At the time I am writing this post the staff of the programs is as follows: Mr. Carlos Alayo Mecola is the Coordinator of the two programs. Mr. Rafael Armas Bardales is the Director of "Dollars For Scholars" Program and Mr. Orlando Bermudez García is the Director of "Leaders for Tomorrow" Program. Its offices are located in La Capilla "Sagrado Corazón de Jesús" ("Sacred Heart of Jesus" Chapel) at H-25, "Ramal Playa" Neighborhood in Chimbote, see the picture above.

Founders, Benefactors and Members of "Dollars For Scholars" and "Leaders For Tomorrow" Programs - DFS & LFT (↓)

Benefactors for "Dollars For Scholars" Program, the Team of "Leaders For Tomorrow" Program, Rotarian friends and young leaders. (↓)

Young Leaders receiving a certificate as graduated students of the Program from The Chimbote Club Rotary with the presence of Rotarian Benefeactor of Chanhassen-MN in the USA. (↓)

Rotarian Library: Giving its services to Young Leaders and community members of our "Corazón de Jesús" Chapel and bringing a great help for development of our university students. (↓)

Some young people of "Leaders For Tomorrow" Program who have successfully finished their studies. (↓)

Supporting The Poorest

Here in Chimbote there is an organization called "Los Amigos del Padre Juan" (The Father Jack's Friends) comprised by Christian people from The United States and Chimbote itself which is dedicated to work for the poorest of this city. But let me share with you a little more about it.

"Los Amigos del Padre Juan" is a faith-based organization dedicated to supporting programs that improve and transform the lives of the poor of Chimbote, Perú. Los amigos was formed in 1998 and, in 2002 received 501c3 status, allowing donations to be tax-deductible.

Los Amigos, are friends (from different places specially the US) of Fr. Jack Davis and Sr. Peggy Byrne, and the impoverished of Chimbote, Perú. They assist and support Fr. Jack in his life effort to bring hope and dignity to the poorest people of Chimbote. They do this because they believe in the Christian principle of social justice. To respond to the need as effectively as possible, they have organized under several different non-profit entities:

• Los Amigos Board of Directors.
• Los Amigos Foundation.
• ACAF (Asociación Civil Apoyo Familiar): A Peruvian civil association which distributes Los Amigos funds in Chimbote by performing its social programs.

Not only are they organized under different bodies but they draw support from several different donor bases, including parishes, individuals, foundations, Rotary Clubs and various other diverse organizations, all of which have provided money or volunteer time to advance the mission of Los Amigos.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OF "LOS AMIGOS" ORGANIZATION

The needs of the residents of Chimbote are basic: Food to eat, shelter from the elements, care when they are sick, jobs to provide for their families, and access to education so their children can build a better future. To respond to these needs, Los Amigos provides the following programs:

• Social Programs: Soup kitchens, battered women's shelter, legal advocacy, wellness program, emergency assistance program.
• Infrastructure: Home building and repair, garden maintenance.
• Health Care: Medical, nursing, and dental appointments, medial support services, hospice, hospital partnerships, tuberculosis programs.
• Economic Development Council(*): "Dollars for scholars", micro-lending, Chimbote Computer Services.
• Education: Learning support/tutoring program, libraries, kindergartens and daycare, adult learning program.

(*) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (EDC)

The EDC is a committee operating under the direction of the "Los Amigos" to complement the services provided through ACAF: Creation of small business, employment, scholarship, mentoring and training.

Through Christian principles, the EDC mission is the transformation of individuals into independent and self-supporting members of their comunity. It has a strong partnership with Rotary Clubs in Minnesota - USA and Chimbote - Perú and with St. Michael's Parish in Prior Lake, MN. To learn more contact EDC chair Earl Milbrath.

Current "EDC" Operations In Chimbote:

Dollars For Scholars And Leaders For Tomorrow Programs (DFS & LFT): are administered by the Rotary Clubs of Chanhassen - MN and Chimbote - Perú to send young people from the poorest neighborhoods of Chimbote to universities and technical schools and to provide leadership training in the planning and execution of community service projects.

The program commenced in 2002 and has had 17 graduates, who all have found gainful employment. Currently there are several students in school. The community service projects have recently focused on recycling and envorinmental cleaning.

Micro-Lending Program: The EDC partners with the Small Business Development Committee of St. Michael's Parish in Prior Lake - MN to provide micro-loans to start and sustain small businesses in Fr. Jack's Parish. The business is conducted through a Peruvian organization called "ASOCIACIÓN DE APOYO A PEQUEÑOS NEGOCIOS PERPETUO SOCORRO." Under the EDC, its scope has been expanded to poor areas surrounding the parish and to include group lending as commonly found in micro-lending throughout the world.

Chimbote Healthy Port Program: This recycling business was started in 2007 in Fr. Jack's Parish and in 2008 began expansion to surrounding barrios. Efforts to promote recycling have been effective but also have spawned independent collectors who are buying the high plastic recyclables and collection programs in schools which sell the recyclables to competitors.

Chimbote Computer Services: This small internet café and computer training and repair service business is operated by a graduate of the Scholarship / Leadership Program. Computer training is provided to adults and students.

Chimbote Sewing Center: This sewing business launched in 2007 and has began making clothes for sale in Chimbote and in the US.

Medical Campaign by People from USA

February 23-27, 2009 I have seen many American people gathered in a Medical Center called "Santa Ana" and a parish (of the same name) next to it, which are located in "Fraternidad" neighborhood, 5 minutes away from downtown.

So I went there to find out what was going on. Well, I discovered that a team, made up of 47 people (gynecologists, pediatricians, dentists, nurses, among others) came to Chimbote city to perform a Medical Campaign for free headed to the poorest of this neighborhood and others. (to read more... go below video)

Team members are from Minnesota in USA and were using this slogan: "Los Amigos Medical Aid" (LAMA) The leaders of this team (benefactors) are Mr Tony Brama and his wife Mrs Dorothy Brama. This is not their first time doing this social work here in Chimbote and are planing to do it once more. They all are very happy to be able to contribute to get better the health of residents, specially of those who has no access to health services.

They were offering the following specialties: Medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, dentistry, rheumatology, pharmacy, ultrasound. They attended 550 patients per day on average. There were 17 patients scheduled for operation. Neighbors are very thankful and want them to keep doing this all the time because a lot of people are sick and don't go to the hospital because don't have money.