mano a mano

OUR MISSION

To create partnerships with impoverished Bolivian

communities to improve health and increase

economic well-being.

A CALL TO ACTION

In October of 1994, Segundo and Joan Velasquez sounded a call to action

to a small group of family and friends because they wanted to do

something about a glaring incongruity. Each year, health care providers

and suppliers in Minnesota dispose of hundreds of thousands of dollars

worth of usable, but no longer needed, medical inventory. At the same

time health care providers in Bolivia, where Segundo was born and where

Joan had served in the Peace Corps, are unable to provide essential care to

the poor because they lack the most basic supplies and equipment.

Thus was born Mano a Mano ("hand to hand"), a nonprofit organization

founded on the simple premise that committed volunteers can reach

across national boundaries to make a dramatic difference in the lives of

others. Today, what began with Joan and Segundo’s friends and family has

grown to a large network of volunteers and staff members in both the US

and Bolivia who work “hand to hand” in countless ways to improve the

health and economic well-being of some of the world’s most impoverished

communities. Mano a Mano’s remarkable journey affirms renowned

anthropologist Margaret Meade’s observation: “Never doubt that a small

group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is

the only thing that ever has.”

In 2008, Joan was awarded the Peace Corps' highest honor: the Sargent Shriver Award for

Distinguished Humanitarian Service.

In 2012, Segundo received a prestigious Opus Prize Foundation award for innovation as a

social entrepreneur.

PICKING UP SUPPLIES

MOVING PALLETS IN THE SNOW SORTING IN DRIVEWAY

STORING OUTSIDE

FROM MINNESOTA

Starting with nothing but commitment to a vision, Mano a Mano’s volunteers began by collecting 500 pounds of surplus medical supplies. Within a few years this had grown to 200,000 pounds yearly, all sorted and packed in our founders’ home and stored in their backyard.

TO BOLIVIA

Bolivian staff and volunteers unpack and distribute these materials to Mano a Mano clinics and others who serve the poor.

SORTING SUPPLIES IN BOLIVIAN WAREHOUSE USING SUPPLIES DURING MEDICAL TRAINING

DISTRIBUTING WHEELCHAIRS

USING SUPPLIES DURING AIR MEDICAL RESCUE MISSION

MANO A MANO INTERNATIONAL Since its founding in 1994, St. Paul-based Mano a Mano International has grown enormously. As the NEED became more apparent in Bolivia and as donations of medical supplies flooded in through Minnesota networks, the organization’s growth made it imperative to support these volunteer efforts with paid staff. For many years, the organization was supported entirely by volunteers—led by Joan and Segundo Velasquez. Until 2012, Mano a Mano International operated out of their home. Today the organization manages:

Almost all projects in Bolivia begin with seed money raised in the U.S. Executive Director, Dan Narr (left),

with Crystal, New Hope, Robbinsdale Rotary Club.

FUNDRAISING

Office Manager, Dana Dallavalle (middle), sorting medical supplies with an Urban Immersion youth

volunteer group.

MEDICAL SURPLUS

Director of Communications and Research, Nate Knatterud-Hubinger (striped shirt), leading trip to Bolivia

with Duluth and Superior-area Rotary Clubs to show the projects

they’ve supported.

RESEARCH & REPORTING

Our New Facility

Joan and Segundo remain involved, contributing a combined 80 hours of

volunteer support per week.

CREATING PARTNERSHIPS IN THE U.S.

VOLUNTEER TRIPS TO BOLIVIA—TEACHER TRAINING

Mano a Mano International also coordinates several volunteer and introductory trips to Bolivia for U.S. volunteers and donors, manages research partnerships and student engagement with local universities, a strong volunteer and internship program at the St. Paul office, a youth program (Niño a Niño) in Minnesota schools, and collaborates with local corporations in volunteer efforts.

VOLUNTEERS FROM THE MEDTRONIC RETIREE ORGANIZATION

CHILDREN FROM HIGHLAND PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL RAISING MONEY FOR NIÑO A NIÑO

2013-14 INTERNS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA & MACALESTER COLLEGE

OUR BOLIVIAN COUNTERPARTS

MANO A MANO BOLIVIA is independently incorporated as a nonprofit organization in Bolivia. Its work

focuses primarily in the areas of health and education. It is operated entirely by

Bolivians who build each clinic, co-administer the clinics, organize staff, distribute the

donated medical supplies, improve rural roads, manage a stellar continuing medical

education program and more.

We construct rural community clinics, set up their programs and co-

administer them along with the municipality and community leaders,

and stock them with medical supplies.

HEALTH CARE

We build bathrooms with showers next to schools to reduce the

spread of infectious disease and improve hygiene. We improve access to communities through road expansion when needed.

SANITATION & ACCESS

We construct rural public schools and housing for

teachers. We send school supplies and books to distribute to students.

EDUCATION

Our continuing medical education and health

promoter training programs lead to excellent quality care in our clinics

and beyond.

TRAINING

MANO A MANO BOLIVIA

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF

MANO A MANO BOLIVIA:

Dr. José Velásquez

RESIDENTS MOVING ROCK FOR CLINIC CONSTRUCTION IN THE

COMMUNITY OF CANTAR GALLO

MEDICAL EDUCATORS FOR LATIN AMERICA (MELA) TRAINING HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

FINISHED CLINIC DEDICATION CEREMONY IN THE COMMUNITY

OF LEQUE

MANO A MANO NUEVO MUNDO (NEW WORLD), an independently incorporated Bolivian nonprofit

organization, focuses on rural economic development and food security. Its all-Bolivian staff builds water

reservoirs, roads and other community infrastructure projects.

OUR BOLIVIAN COUNTERPARTS

We build reservoirs to retain rain water for crop irrigation during the dry

season. With access to water, subsistence farmers can raise enough

produce to feed their families and have enough left over to transport it

to market for sale.

WATER PROJECTS

We build roads to increase access and connect rural

communities to urban centers.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION

Because farmers have water to irrigate their fields

from our water retention projects and roads to

transport goods—incomes can double or triple.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

MANO A MANO NUEVO MUNDO

PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF

MANO A MANO NUEVO MUNDO:

Sr. Ivo Velásquez

CATERPILLAR MACHINES CARVING ROADS OUT OF MOUNTAINS

COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WORKING HAND TO HAND MOVING ROCKS FROM A WORKSITE

OWING TO A FLOODED RIVER CROSSING, THESE TRUCKS WAITED AS THE ROAD WAS FINISHED AND WERE...

THE FIRST TO USE THE COMPLETED ROAD MAKING A SAFE TRIP TO THE COMMUNITY OF EL PALMAR

MANO A MANO APOYO AEREO (AIR SUPPORT), also incorporated as an independent nonprofit

organization in Bolivia that is directed and staffed by Bolivians, operates an aviation program that

supports the work of our other counterparts. The aviation program raises funds to support this work by

offering charter and cargo transport services to businesses and private individuals.

OUR BOLIVIAN COUNTERPARTS

We air rescue ill and injured persons and fly them to emergency care in city hospitals. The majority of emergency air rescues occur in the region of Beni

in the Amazon basin.

EMERGENCY AIR RESCUE

In collaboration with Mano a Mano Bolivia, we transport volunteer

health care professionals to conduct weekend clinics in remote

regions that have no health care programs.

SUPPORT WEEKEND CLINICS

Air travel can reduce a trip from 20 hours to 2 hours, making it possible

for us to serve more isolated communities and speed the

delivery of needed supplies or equipment parts.

FLY STAFF & VOLUNTEERS

MANO A MANO APOYO AEREO

RURAL COMMUNITIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THEIR

OWN AIRSTRIPS FOR EMERGENCY LANDINGS

CHILD WITH CLEFT PALLET BEING TRANSPORTED TO MEDICAL TREATMENT WITH HELP OF BOLIVIAN SAVE AND RESCUE TEAM VOLUNTEERS

MANO A MANO RESPONDING TO DEVASTATING FLOODS IN THE

REMOTE REGION OF BENI

MANO A MANO APOYO AEREO:

Capitán Ivo Daniel Martinez

MANO A MANO INTERNACIONAL, our fourth nonprofit organization counterpart, also independently

incorporated in Bolivia, seeks funds from businesses and other organizations within Bolivia, hosts foreign

visitors and pilots new initiatives such as our recently opened Center for Ecological Agriculture (CEA).

OUR BOLIVIAN COUNTERPARTS

Travelers visit Mano a Mano projects, work alongside beneficiaries and

witness the impact of our programs. Many see this experience as one that

transforms their lives.

HOSTS TRAVELERS

We search for funding opportunities from

embassies, businesses and individuals in Bolivia.

SEEKS DONATIONS WITHIN

BOLIVIA

Current pilot projects include the Center for Ecological Agriculture where subsistence farmers learn

best practices for irrigation, use of natural fertilizer, water filtration

processes, and use of bio-digesters to turn manure into cooking fuel.

PILOTS INITIATIVES

MANO A MANO INTERNACIONAL

COMMUNITY LEADERS FROM JIRONKOTA ATTENDING AGRICULTURE TRAINING

REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, BUILDING BRIDGES

WORLDWIDE, IS VISITING A SCHOOL IN THE COMMUNNITY OF SANCAYANI WHILE

COLLABORATING ON THE BUILDING OF A WATER IRRIGATION SYSTEM IN THE AREA

STUDENTS FROM OXFORD UNIVERSITY HELPING AT CENTER FOR

ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF

MANO A MANO INTERNACIONAL:

María Blanca Velásquez

THE MODEL

COMMUNITY REQUESTS PROJECT AND WILL OWN IT

The Mano a Mano model is community-driven and built on strong partnerships with clearly defined accountability. The U.S. organization provides resources and oversight while our Bolivian counterparts determine what needs to be done and how best to do it. Bolivian staff members and volunteers work closely with community citizens and government officials to forge a working relationship. We implement projects through careful attention to these essential elements:

COMMUNITY RESIDENTS CONTRIBUTE LABOR

GOVERNMENT ENTITIES CONTRIBUTE PARTIAL FUNDING, PAY CLINIC STAFF AND TEACHER’S SALARIES AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ONGOING PROJECT MAINTENANCE

FORMAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THESE PARTNERS DEFINE THE PROJECT

COMMUNITY PROJECTS

This partnership model, sealed with a written agreement, ensures not only the successful completion of each project but also its ongoing sustainability. Every project initiated by Mano a Mano has been

completed and is still used for its intended purpose. 100% of Mano a Mano clinics are now self-sustaining.

MANO A MANO LEADS THE PARTNERHIP AND CONTRIBUTES FUNDS, EQUIPMENT, SKILLED LABOR, EXPERTISE, AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

ALL PARTNERS PARTICIPATE IN THE OPENING CEREMONY WHEN THE PROJECT IS OFFICIALLY TURNED OVER TO THE COMMUNITY FOR OWNERSHIP AND TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOR MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITY

CLINIC PERSONNEL PROVIDE SERVICES AND INITIATE NEW PROJECTS WHILE MANO A MANO

CONTINUES TO CONTRIBUTE SUPPLIES

AND PROVIDE ADVISORY SUPPORT

MANO A MANO DEVELOPS HUMAN RESOURCES TO STRENGTHEN THE LONG TERM

QUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THE PROJECT

WHY BOLIVIA?

SO THESE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN CAN FIND A FUTURE THROUGH EDUCATION

SO FAMILIES DON’T LEAVE DIRE CONDITIONS IN THEIR RURAL COMMUNITIES ONLY TO BE FORCED INTO URBAN POVERTY

SO FAMILIES CAN FEED THEMSELVES AND THEIR LIVESTOCK EVEN THROUGH THE DRY SEASON

SO MOTHERS AND BABIES SURVIVE CHILDBIRTH

SO CROSS-CULTURAL FRIENDSHIPS CAN GIVE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

SO BOLIVIANS OBTAIN THE TRAINING THEY NEED TO BE AGENTS OF CHANGE

CHALLENGES IN RURAL BOLIVIA

2 OF EVERY 3 RURAL BOLIVIANS LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE compared to roughly 2 of every 5 in urban areas

100 OF EVERY 1,000 CHILDREN IN RURAL BOLIVIA DIE BY AGE 5 compared to 57 of every 1,000 in urban areas

ADULTS IN RURAL AREAS HAVE AN AVERAGE OF 4.85 YEARS OF SCHOOLING compared to 9.98 in urban areas—one of the largest gaps in Latin America

2ND HIGHEST INFANT AND MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES IN WESTERN HEMSIPHERE

ADULTS IN RURAL AREAS HAVE THE 2ND LOWEST LIFE EXPECTANCY IN LATIN AMERICA

BABIES BORN TO POOREST 20% OF MOTHERS DIE AT NEARLY 3 TIMES THE RATE of babies born to the richest 20% of Bolivian mothers

RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT ARE THE MOST HEAVILY IMPACTED

DURING NATURAL DISASTERS OR EMERGENCIES ARE THE LEAST

LIKELY TO RECEIVE ANY SUPPORT

MANO A MANO IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Access to quality health care for hundreds of thousands of rural Bolivians where none was available before

Water projects that improve nutrition and can increase income for Bolivian farm families

Schools and teacher housing that attract teachers to work in rural areas and provide a comfortable environment for students to learn

Roads that connect communities to markets for the first time and significantly reduce travel time

Training and continuing education programs that empower community residents and improve the effectiveness of projects

Cross cultural interchanges that transform lives

Sustaining infrastructure as all Mano a Mano projects continue to function as intended

...And there is so much more to do

TOGETHER WE PROVIDE...

AMPLIFYING YOUR DONATION

MANO A MANO’S CAPACITY & PARTNERSHIPS

DONATE Your donation is the seed money that allows

projects to become a reality.

VOLUNTEER

Our office staff in the US and Bolivia depend on your help to stretch our resources as far

as possible.

MANO A MANO We are the bridge that brings these

disparate groups together, so that we can achieve results that nobody could

do on their own.

COMMUNITIES IN BOLIVIA

Communities are our partners; they request each project, contribute 3-5% of funding and the volunteer time to build it, and ultimately manage each

project.

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS IN

BOLIVIA They are significant supporters

of each project and typically contribute anywhere from 20-

50% of project costs.

BOLIVIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND SPORTS

Our health clinic program is part of the national health care system

and is eligible for reimbursement for vaccinations, maternal-child care, and other areas of primary

care. 82% of all clinic staff salaries are funded through the Health

Ministry, as well.

PROJECTS This Includes: Clinics, Schools, Roads, Water Projects, Aviation, Distribution

of Donated Medical Supplies, and Training and Continuing Education

Programs.

WHY YOU ARE SO

IMPORTANT

RESULTS

GET INVOLVED

YOUR CHANCE TO JOIN THE MANO A MANO FAMILYYOUR CHANCE TO JOIN THE MANO A MANO FAMILY AND MAKE A DIFFERENCEAND MAKE A DIFFERENCE

VOLUNTEER IN ST. PAUL Loading containers of supplies, sorting and packing medical supplies, selling crafts, assisting with events—Be creative using your skills and networks

VOLUNTEER IN BOLIVIA Training rural teachers, medical professionals, farmers, or helping set up and equip new facilities

HOLD A FUNDRAISER At your home with friends

and family or at your workplace or civic

organization and invite Mano a Mano staff to speak

and provide materials

MAKE A MONETARY DONATION In support of whichever Mano a Mano project you choose

ORGANIZE A TRAVEL GROUP Get together a group to travel to Bolivia and visit the communities where Mano a Mano works and witness the different projects as they’re being built, inaugurated, and fully functioning

ORGANIZE A YOUTH GROUP Ask about our Nino a Nino program and how to get classrooms involved in making a global impact

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD Share this information and our story with others

HELP MANO A MANO OBTAIN MEDICAL SUPPLIES

Search for new networks in the medical field to donate surplus

medical supplies and/or arrange medical supply pickups