Organization: Mano a Mano International Partners

All Photos To create partnerships with impoverished Bolivian communities that improve health and increase economic well-being. This mission is accomplished through the work of Mano a Mano International Partners, based in Minnesota, and three partner organizations in Bolivia.

Focus Areas:	Economic Development, Education, Health
Countries Served:	Bolivia

Description of Services:
In the U.S., Mano a Mano collects, packs and ships surplus medical supplies and equipment to be distributed in Bolivia. In Bolivia, Mano a Mano works with rural communities to build infrastructure for healthcare, education and economic developments. Mano a Mano improves and constructs roads in rural areas, creating access to health care and to city markets, and constructs water reservoirs to improve nutrition and family income. Mano a Mano also assists rural communities in building infrastructure for sanitation, schools and teacher housing.
History:
Mano a Mano International Partners (Spanish for "hand to hand") was founded on the simple proposition that medical inventory that would otherwise be wasted should be routed to places where it can literally mean the difference between life and death. With an initial focus on collecting and distributing medical surplus, Mano a Mano has expanded and partners with Bolivian communities to build infrastructure projects that imrpve health and economic well-being.
Accomplishments & Progress:
As of July 2008, Mano a Mano has constructed 100 rural community clinics, with 12 new clinics built per year. In 2007, we reached our 1-millionth patient visit to a Mano a Mano clinic, and we have sent over 2,200,000 pounds of surplus medical supplies from the US to Bolivia since 1994, valued conservatively at over $7.1 million.