2014 annual report

AMOS
“A Ministr y of Sharing Health & Hope”
2014 ANNUAL REPORT
“Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does
not live out his years...”
Isaiah 65:20
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
I
INTRODUCTION
A. Letter from the Directors ..........
B. About AMOS .................................
C. Where We Work ...........................
D. Highlights & Achievements ......
E. Partnering in Service ..................
3
4
5
6-7
8-9
II RURAL HEALTH: PROVIDING SOLUTIONS
A. The Problem & Solution ............
11
B. Their Work Saves Lives .............. 12-13
C. Healthy Moms, Healthy Kids .... 14-15
D. Clean Water & Sanitation .......... 16-17
E. Delegations & Volunteers .......... 18-19
F. Youth Empowerment .................. 20-21
III URBAN HEALTH: CARING & EDUCATING
A. Health Educators ......................... 23
B. Expanding Into Nejapa ............... 24-25
IV MANY HANDS MAKE A SUSTAINABLE MISSION
A. AMOS Staff & Board Members 26-27
B. Never To Be Forgotten ............... 28-29
C. 2014 Finances Summary ............ 30-31
V THANK YOU
A. Connect With Us ..........................
B. Thank You 2014 Donors! ............
»»
Introduction
33
34-35
2
You’re A Part of Life-Giving Change
What is more inspiring than people working
together to overcome overwhelming odds?
We founded AMOS because we believe in the
incredible power and the profound hope that is
created when community leaders decide to make
a commitment to service and sacrifices in order for
others to live better in places where there is almost
no access to health care.
Drs. David & Laura Parajón have been living
with their 3 children in Nicaragua since 2001
as medical missionaries through American
Baptist Churches International Ministries.
They are both medical doctors and have
also received their Masters in Public Health.
Together, with Dr. Gustavo Parajón (David’s
father), they founded AMOS in 2006. Over the
past 13 years they have built a team of dedicated
health promoters and over 50 Nicaraguan staff
who practice community-based care to help
decrease health disparities in remote, rural
areas of Nicaragua.
Dr. David manages the administrative aspects
of the ministry while Dr. Laura oversees all of
AMOS’ programs in rural and urban health.
Some of their favorite aspects of their work
include: training health promoters and other
community workers, developing helpful
teaching materials with the health care team,
facilitating AMOS’ Global Health Practicum,
and continuing to build relationships with all
of the volunteers, donors, and supporters who
make this ministry possible.
“As physicians in Nicaragua, we see ourselves
as teachers more than clinicians. This is
because we can multiply our impact by
sharing our knowledge. We strive to simplify
medical protocols for health promoters,
support their continuing medical education,
and help assure the quality of health
promoter work. We are doing all this work
because we believe that no child should die of
a preventable illness.”
3
In 2014 we saw several health promoters take on an
extra level of responsibility, as they became mentors
to our other promoters. We witnessed women
become more empowered as they learned how to
cook healthier food for their children, how to play
with them to foster their development, and saw
their malnourished children start to gain weight as
a part of the Healthy Moms, Healthy Kids project.
We were encouraged again and again by the many
volunteer mothers who said, “Yes, I will give of my
time to help new moms get the support they deserve
and need during pregnancy and after birth.” And
we expanded our work into our home community
of Nejapa, giving a new dimension to low-cost clinic
services that had been offered there for years.
Because YOU joined us again so faithfully,
we can continue to reach out and work with
those most vulnerable in Nicaragua.
This report is for you. May the stories of life-
giving change in the following pages fill you with
as much joy as we have, knowing that we have the
privilege everyday to follow God’s call of being there
for our brothers and sisters in need.
Thank You.
»»
Introduction
About AMOS
Serving the Most Vulnerable in Nicaragua
Our Name
AMOS is an acronym that stands for A Ministry Of Sharing, and is also named after the Old
Testament prophet, Amos. He worked as a herdsman, but was called by God to speak out
during his time in history against gross inequities between rich and poor. AMOS is how we
put our faith into action, working to decrease health inequities and to improve the health
and well being of the most vulnerable people in remote rural areas of Nicaragua.
Our Mission
AMOS is a Christian non-profit organization that exists to improve the health of
impoverished communities by working alongside them in health, education, and
development.
Our Vision
Through our partnerships, we seek:
•
•
•
Health for all people
A world where no child dies of a preventable disease
Effective and empowering health care
4
Where We Serve
MATAGALPA
RAAS
Apantillo
Ada Luz Montenegro
El Socorro
Isaac Fley
Fila Grande
Petronilo Gaitán
Sabalete
Pedro Pablo Guillén
San Jose de la Mula Juan de Dios Blandón
Tapasle
Salvador López
Banco de Sikia
BOACO
CHINANDEGA
Bajos de Tomatoya
Cumaica Norte
El Coyol
La Majada
Malacatoya 1
Malacatoya 2
Nacascolo
San Onofre
Tierra Blanca
5
Elia Eloisa Urbina
Catalino Jarquin
Betty González
Ana Delfina Morales
Fatima Gonzalez
Rosabilda Velásquez
Victor Urbina
Timotea Romero
Yadira Sevilla
El Bambú
El Cedro
La Danta
Nawawasito
Calderón
El Obraje
La Consulta
La Pimienta
Rancho Pando
Gerson Ortiz &
Ismael Sequeira
Jose Gomez
Agustín Malueños
Luis Eliezer Olivas
Ramón Barrera
Silvina Lainez
Ramiro Morales
Isabel Peralta
Daniel Zuniga
Nahum Zuñiga
»»
Introduction
Highlights & A
14,900
POPULATION
BEING SERVED
IN RURAL
NICARAGUA
6,000
POPULATION
BEING SERVED
IN NEJAPA
25
COMMUNITIES &
HEALTH PROMOTERS
6 MENTORS
17 URBAN HEALTH EDUCATORS
22 TEAM SERVICE TRIPS
CONTRIBUTING TO LONGTERM
PARTNERSHIPS
40 JOSECHAS YOUTH
PARTICIPATED IN PHOTOVOICE
0 MATERNAL DEATHS
18 VOLUNTEER MOTHERS
15,767 RURAL CLINIC VISITS
5,897 RURAL HOME VISITS
4,252 URBAN CLINIC VISITS
»»
Introduction
6
Achievements
*All statistics, except water filters, are verified data from the period of July 2013 to June 2014
373 NEW WATER FILTERS, IMPROVING
THE HEALTH OF 1,706 INDIVIDUALS
*All water filters statistics are verified data from the year 2014
11,762 BASIC MEDICINES GIVEN TO
PATIENTS IN URBAN NICARAGUA
498,441 BASIC MEDICINES GIVEN
TO PATIENTS IN RURAL NICARAGUA
DECREASE OF DEATHS IN CHILDREN
UNDER 5 YEARS
10
Neonatal Death
NEONATAL DEATHS
Deaths of Childr
(28 DAYS OR YOUNGER)
8
6
DEATHS OF CHILDREN
UNDER 5
4
2
0
7
2012
2013
2014
»»
Introduction
Partnering
In Service
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one
another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
- Hebrews 10:24-25
Health Promoters praying over their desires of
better serving their communities together.
We could never be in ministry
alone.
Before AMOS was ever a formal ministry,
churches and people of faith got behind us,
prayed for us, and encouraged us to continue
the work of training local leaders to improve
health in the rural communities of Nicaragua
that Dr. Gustavo Parajón had started.
But in 2014, we realized that our incredible
group of church and university partners had
never met each other!
»»
Introduction
Support, feedback, and
deep relationships with our
partners renews our energy
and commitment to do this
challenging work.
So in September we organized our first
AMOS Partnership Leaders’ Gathering
and had amazing representation from 20
representatives of 11 church partners and 3
university partners. Our partner leaders got
to know each other, shared stories, and spent
time with AMOS staff in dialogue, about what
it means to be in partnership. Then the group
traveled to the community of La Consulta to
continue the conversation more deeply about
8
what our partnership looks like with our rural
communities.
Partnership Gathering participants during
the 2014 trip to La Consulta with community
members and AMOS staff.
The ideas that all our participants shared related
to the joys and challenges of being partners have
spurred several new initiatives we plan to complete
in 2015:
• Documenting the AMOS Model of how we
put our values into action in all aspects of
our work
• Being more in touch with church and
university partners about our programs
throughout the year with special webinars
• Creating a guide to document the benefits
and commitments of being an AMOS
Partner as well as a sample Letter of
Covenant
• Start transforming the ideas shared for
how to be involved in AMOS and spread the
word into easy-to-use resources
• Fostering more networking connections
between our partners
Thank you to all our church and university partners
who are the reason AMOS can continue to grow!
Ben from Pullen Memorial
Baptist Church with
children in La Consulta
during AMOS’ 2014
partnership gathering.
We are so grateful to everyone who attended the Partnership Gathering
and took time out of their busy lives to help us continue to improve our
partnership together. Everyone who is a member of our 35 church partners
and 6 university partners brings hope and life to our ministry and we cannot
thank you enough for that!
9
»»
Introduction
Rural Health
Providing Solutions
10
The Problem
The combination of a lack of access to health care and living
in extreme poverty contribute to the problem of health
inequity in Nicaragua. The poorest people have higher rates of
chronic illness and the poorest children are more likely to be
malnourished and die of preventable causes.
Our Solution
Community-Based Primary Health Care
While rural poverty is a complex problem, CBPHC is an attempt
to address health inequities through an integral approach that
combines:
»» Community Empowerment
»» Intersectoral coordination between communities, government,
and non-governmental entities
»» Evidence-based interventions adapted to local contexts
Since 2007, AMOS has been implementing the CBPHC model
in Nicaragua through a network of local community-based
health promoters. Health promoters and their communities
are trained to prevent and treat the most common illnesses,
promote healthy practices, and organize their communities to
work on social determinants of health such as water, sanitation,
and economic development.
The community health care system does not replace the
government health services, but rather serves as an extension
of the low-resourced health care services of the government’s
Ministry of Health (MINSA).
11
»»
Rural Health
Their Work
Saves Lives
By Timotea Romero
The support and training that AMOS has given us health
promoters has greatly benefited our community. If it
weren’t for the things that we have learned, we wouldn’t
have been able to save the lives of the many women
and children that have needed our help.
Timotea Romero has been a
health promoter in her community
of Laguna de San Onofre, San
Lorenzo, in Boaco for 17 years.
In 2014 Timotea was chosen to
become a Mentor for other health
promoters in her region because of
her leadership skills and long-term
experience.
“I would like to give thanks
to the people who donate
money to help our work in the
communities, because without
their help, we would not be
able to accomplish very much.”
»»
Rural Health
In November 2014, I had a very
interesting experience with a young
girl from our community, San Onofre.
Her name is Nereida Marenco and
she is seventeen years old. She was
seven months pregnant and began
experiencing complications with her
pregnancy. For unknown reasons,
Nereida’s blood pressure went up
dramatically one night and she had to
be transferred to the city of Boaco for
it to be controlled. Unfortunately, her
blood pressure would not decrease,
and she was transferred to a hospital
in Managua. We learned that she had
preeclampsia and her baby would
have to be delivered right away.
Nereida and her baby were able to be
saved, but she has had more trouble.
It seems that her cesarean wound
did not heal properly, and she had
to be sutured up a second time. I
was very sad that this young, single
mother had experienced all these
complications, and that her family has
not accompanied her during her time
in the Managua hospital.
I wanted to help her, so while all the
health promoters were together for
training in Managua in December, I
asked them to help support Nereida
by donating some money, no matter
how little. Living in a hospital for a
month is very difficult, especially
when taking into account expenses
like food and transportation.
That day, me and two other
promoters, Juan de Dios and Ramon,
visited her at the hospital and gave
her 450 Córdobas (roughly $18) that
we were able to collect. When we
gave her the money she began to cry,
and I cried with her, feeling a lot of
compassion towards this young girl
who had lived through so much.
This experience was very special to
me because all the health promoters
pitched in to help with what little they
had. As health promoters, we earn
a small stipend, yet the work is very
difficult and it is not our only job.
We have many responsibilities, and
being a health promoter for AMOS
is only one of them. We operate the
clinics in our town, and consults at
the clinic can take place day or night.
We also visit patients in their homes,
and walking from home to home can
take hours. We each have our own
chores and family responsibilities.
For example, each day I go out to the
fields to pick up wood and take care
of and cook for my family. Some days,
I am very tired. Despite all of this,
the well-being of my community and
healthy mothers and children inspire
me to work hard.
12
AMOS health promoters saw 15,767 clinic
patients during 2014 .
Health promoters participated in 2 different
week-long trainings in 2014 to increase their
knowledge of how to implement basic health care
in their communities.
During trainings promoters
learn how to properly weigh
children, take a patient’s blood
pressure, suture wounds,
and correctly document their
patients’ history records.
13
»»
Rural Health
Healthy Moms,
Healthy Kids
“It is beautiful to have learned so much that I didn’t know before on how to
prepare and cook food for children. These workshops are going to help me
because when my child is born I will know how to prepare and clean food
so we will be healthy.”
- Diana Teresa García, Mother from La Consulta
Patty Lineth Pérez Zambrana i s
a li c e n s e d nut r it i oni st f rom
Ma n a g u a , Ni c a ra g u a w h o h a s
b e e n ov e r s e e ing , c o ordin a t ing ,
a n d fa c ilit a t ing th e He a lth y
Mom s , He a lth y K i d s p ro g ra m
in C hin a n d e g a s in c e Ma rc h
2 014 .
“I am thankful that God has
always allowed me to use my
nutrition knowledge to serve
others. I consider my work with
AMOS very important because
I work with families in underresourced rural communities.
My parents raised me to serve
others; their influences and the
changes I have seen in rural
Nicaragua from the help and
knowledge I have shared with
members of the communities
motivates a lot of my work.”
»»
Rural Health
Group of mothers and their children
singing at one of their weekly
meetings
The Need
Many children in rural Nicaragua
are malnourished, and we saw that
food intervention combined with
education was the only way these
children could have a fighting chance
at a healthier future.
Healthy Moms, Healthy Kids was
started in 2014 as a way to impact
children’s health in the first 1,000
days of their life.
14
Mom sitting with her child
to make sure he eats in a
chair and not on the floor
while he eats all of his food
Mothers learning to prepare healthy
meals for their children
Moms help
their kids wash
their hands to
prevent sickness
and spreading
of germs.
Mom helping her son brush
his teeth to prevent cavities
and to introduce healthy
hygiene habits
Our Focus in 2014
We began Healthy Moms, Healthy
Kids in one of our poorest
communities, La Consulta, where
income is low and food is scarce,
resulting in many malnourished
children.
Our AMOS nutritionist, Patty Pérez,
began training Volunteer Mothers
in the community how to teach and
encourage other mothers to build
good feeding, cooking, and hygiene
habits in their homes.
The Outcome
20 Moms participated in the
program, receiving hands-on
training in good nutrition habits in a
safe place of community with other
women.
ALL Children started the program
malnourished, but now 14 of kids
15
are now at a healthy weight.
Still to Come
In 2015 Healthy Moms, Healthy
Kids will continue to train the
mothers in La Consulta to finish out
this one year program. AMOS will
continue to supplement food for
the participants, but is passing on
the leadership of the courses fully
to the volunteer mothers. Patty will
continue to oversee the program,
give guidance to the volunteer
mothers, and collect and analyze
the data, but we want the women to
take ownership of the project and
become leaders in their community
so that they can pass on their new
knowledge for generations to come.
Afterwards, our desire is to go
to the RAAS to duplicate Healthy
Moms, Healthy Kids with our
communities in this region.
»»
Rural Health
Clean W
And Sanitati
“These water filters are important becau
what we had before. Now even unborn c
a chance to fight against diarrhea, colds
- Sandra Zamo
Water Filters
Water born diseases are very common in rural
Nicaragua and are very preventable with clean
water.
Since 2010, AMOS has been installing, supervising,
and maintaining water filters in numerous
communities we work with. Through constant
research of the filters we provide and the quality of
water they produce, we are constantly increasing
the quality and effectiveness of clean water in rural
Nicaragua.
In 2014, AMOS installed it’s 1,000th water
filter!
There are now 1,009 filters in 17 AMOS
communities.
WASH
“Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene”
In rural communities we teach local kids how to
properly wash their hands before and after specific
daily events, to pick up trash, and to brush their
teeth. Children love to sing the WASH song that helps
them remember when to wash their hands and enjoy
listening to and acting out “The Lorax” as a way to learn
the value of taking care of your home and community.
Many delegation teams help with this project,
accompanying WASH education with Biblical skits,
stories, and crafts.
»»
Rural Health
16
Water
ion for Healthy Bodies
use now we can drink better water than
children will be healthier and will have
s, and the flu.”
ora, Health Committee Member in El Cedro
Global Health Practicum 2014
In the summer of 2014, AMOS hosted its first Global
Health Practicum. Eleven students and working
professionals from all across the USA and Canada
came to Nicaragua for their summer vacations to
study, learn, and receive hands-on experience in
Global Health.
During practicum internships that followed,
students designed and executed research projects
pertaining to what they had learned in the course.
They worked alongside AMOS staff and rural
volunteer mothers in Healthy Moms, Healthy Kids,
supervised and performed maintenance on water
filters, and facilitated health stations for community
members.
GlobeMed at Rhodes GROW Interns
Since 2008, GlobeMed at Rhodes College in Tennessee
has partnered with AMOS’ Clean Water Program,
providing financial support and interns who have
researched and collected data for the program, created
useful materials, and encouraged AMOS staff and
community members in bettering the health of people
living in rural Nicaragua.
17
»»
Rural Health
Service Teams
& Volunteers
“From the first day to the last I completely fell in love with Nicaragua, the amazing work that
AMOS does, and the work that we did as a delegation. It truly made for an unforgettable
adventure and an unforgettable summer.”
- Katie Surana, member of the 2014 Rural Health Immersion Trip
Volunteer Emily leading a team building
game for JOSECHAS participants in
Cumaica Norte
Volunteer Grant helping to
demonstrate one form of
emergency transportation
of a patient to medical aid.
In 2014, 22 groups and 57 individual
volunteers came to serve alongside
AMOS in urban and rural Nicaragua.
That means a total of 460 people came through our
campus, and we are so grateful for all of you!
Because you, your churches, and your universities
are choosing to love those most in need and are
building relationships with AMOS, lasting changes
are being made in the communities we serve.
Each group accompanies AMOS in our different
programs and projects:
»»
Rural Health
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Supervising or Installing Water Filters
Data Research & Documentation
Creating Teaching Materials
Training Health Promoters and Other
Community Workers
Empowering Youth
Doing WASH activities with Kids
Clinic and Latrine Construction Projects
Conducting Health Screenings
Clinician Rounds
Thank you to everyone who partnered with us in
2014. We truly cannot do this work without you!
18
Delegation member Kyli with
a La Consulta homeowner in
front of her new water filter
Terry and Juan Carlos working on a clinic
construction project in Nacascolo
2014 Team Service Groups
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
19
Alderson Broaddus University
Chemeketa Community College
Christ the King Community Church
Clearview Community Church
Episcopal Church of the Messiah & St.
Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church
FBC Ann Arbor
FBC Ft. Lauderdale
FBC Greater Cleveland
FBC McMinnville
FBC Topeka
Isaiah 61
Delegation from First Baptist Church of Topeka, KS
with children and members from La Pimienta
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Mission Medics
Mid-America Delegation
Nicaragua Medical Missions
North Hills
Ocean View Baptist Church
Rural Immersion Experience
University of Central FL & University of FL
University of Miami
University of Wisconsin Rad-Aid
Wake Forest University
West Virginia Baptist Convention
»»
Rural Health
Youth Empowerment
JOSECHAS: Youth Planting Seeds to Harvest Hope
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for
the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12
JOSECHAS graduation in
San Onofre in March 2014.
JOSECHAS was started in 2010 to fulfill a
vision of changing the way youth conduct
and see themselves in order to provide them
a chance at a better future.
Elieth Valezuela and Nidia Romero
graduated from the JOSECHAS
program in San Onofre in March
2014. These two were then chosen
to become peer facilitators of the
JOSECHAS program in two new
communities after their graduation
because of their outstanding
leadership skills, their dedication
to the program, and their hearts for
service.
“In my time with JOSECHAS,”
says Elieth, “I have learned to
value what I have. I have grown
from the perspectives of others
and I have learned to humbly
serve.”
»»
Rural Health
Teen pregnancies, alcoholism,
and domestic violence are
all too common in rural and
urban Nicaragua. To combat
these tendencies, AMOS has
partnered with TeenSmart and
our rural communities to write
and facilitate a curriculum to
empower youth to change
the course of their future. The
program has three main areas
of focus: personal development;
physical, mental, and spiritual
health; and community
development and advocacy.
from our JOSECHAS program in
San Onofre. After graduation,
five of these graduates have
served as peer facilitators with
AMOS.
Peer facilitators are JOSECHAS
youth who have graduated from
the program and display high
quality leadership skills. Many
of them have helped prepare
materials for the present
JOSECHAS program and have
taught the program in Cumaica
Norte and El Coyol.
In March, 6 youth graduated
20
Nidia leading devotions at the beginning of a
JOSECHAS gathering in Cumaica Norte.
Delegation member Hannah with a JOSECHAS youth from El Coyol
showing a part of the JOSECHAS program: PhotoVoice. PhotoVoice
is an empowering tool that allows participants to see potential for
change in their community through documentary photography.
“We, the youth, are a strength in this
community!”
- Daisy, Cumaica Norte JOSECHAS Participant in 2014
Martha is a San Onofre graduate. This past year she spent
6 months working in the AMOS office in Managua, helping
prepare materials for health promoter trainings.
21
Youth from San Onofre at a region-wide
contest, posing with their first place poster with
information about HIV AIDS.
»»
Rural Health
Urban Health
Caring & Educating
Nicaragua
The majority of families in Nicaragua, the second poorest country in the Western
hemisphere, supports themselves on just $2 a day. With little money, families eat and
cook basic meals of beans, rice, tortillas, and cheese for their daily meals. Junk food and
sugary drinks, however, are cheap and readily accessible, contributing to high rates of
hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and other health issues.
Photo taken at AMOS’ first health fair for
the community of Nejapa. During the 2 day
fair over 800 patients were seen.
22
Health Educators
A New Form of Serving the Community
The Samaritan Clinic is located on the outskirts of Managua right in the
heart of the Nejapa neighborhood, a low-income community of around
6,000 individuals. The clinic has been in the community of Nejapa since
2000, ready and willing to serve anyone who comes through it’s doors.
However, AMOS had dreamed for several years of being able to serve
the residents of Nejapa by going out into the community instead of only
seeing patients in the clinic who came to us.
This past summer, after many meetings and trainings with the local
community and the government, AMOS began for the first time to reach
out to Nejapa in this new way.
We started training 25 Health Educators, community members
from Nejapa ready to serve and change the health of their community,
like we do our rural community health promoters. These men and women
graduated from their first training in September 2014.
Since the training, the health educators have begun to serve their
community in many ways:
• • • • Helping in Nejapa’s 1st Health Fair
Attending trainings on a variety of relevant health issues
Participating in Support Groups at the Clinic
Planning and Facilitating Community Clean-Up Projects
• Taking a Census of the 3 Sectors in Nejapa
2015 Goals
The health educators are being trained to make home visits to people
living in Nejapa, and in 2015 they will be visiting:
•
•
•
•
23
Chronic & Terminally Ill Patients
Pregnant & Postpartum Mothers
Children Under 5 Years Old with Malnutrition and Anemia
Individual’s Homes of People in the Community Who Need Words of
Encouragement to Help Lift Their Spirit
»»
Urban Health
Expanding
Into Nejapa
“In every group I saw individuals come timid and scared, but as time progressed their
confidence grew in themselves because of what they were learning and they felt free to be
themselves and share their experiences with their group.”
- Justin Marcano, AMOS Clinic Volunteer
In September, 25 community members from Nejapa
graduated from their first training to begin their service as
health educators.
Health Educator, María
Mercedes, helping at the first
Nejapa health fair.
Since the clinic has switched focus, AMOS has
become a safe haven for many members of
Nejapa.
In the fall, 4 Support Groups began to meet together weekly.
• Chronic Illnesses Support Group has seen an average of 20 men and women from
the community come to the clinic on a weekly basis to increase their knowledge on diabetes
and hypertension and to learn about good nutrition, healthy weight management, and
exercising.
• Pregnancy Support Group was started for new pregnant mothers to gain knowledge on
the different stages of pregnancy, good nutrition and lactation, their babies’ development,
and much more.
• Youth Empowerment Group met ever couple of weeks to work on crafts and learn
about good community values for an empowered life.
• Mental Health Support Group is a group of women who suffer from depression and
other traumatic experiences who need a safe place to come worship, pray, learn, and talk
about their life experiences.
»»
Urban Health
24
Overcoming Depression Through Community
“During the health fair in September, I was crying
because I had so many problems. Dr. Laura saw me
and suggested I come to the support groups they were
starting at AMOS.
I first joined the diabetes group. Then I joined the mental health
support group.
Before I felt so bad about myself. I didn’t even want to talk to
anyone. And at first I didn’t want to go out, but little by little going
to the support groups started helping me a lot. I started feeling
good about myself because I was able to share with others about
my feelings and I had the support from other people in my same
position. I learned a lot from the group facilitators who have all
helped me so much in the support groups.
I can now believe in myself again! I have even gone back to
school, and am getting a degree in accounting.
I am a changed woman today because of the support groups
and the opportunity to be a health educator. Now I want to help
other women in my community who are suffering with the same
things I did.”
- Bertha Elisa Aragon Guerrro
Thank You Clinic Partners
This past year we were blessed to begin partnering our clinic
with two amazing organizations in the US: Chen Medical Centers
and Nicaragua Medical Missions.
In September, they sent a team of 40 medical and business
professionals to work alongside AMOS staff to provide our first
health fair for the community of Nejapa. Their service and
support have greatly helped the start of our new outreach into
Nejapa and even to our other rural communities.
Dr. Gordon Chen seeing a patient from
Nejapa at the September health fair
ChenMed is a family owned organization from the USA whose
founders are passionate about serving in Nicaragua. This last
year they began partnering with AMOS’ clinic to provide better
health for people living in Nejapa.
Nicaragua Medical Missions, founded by a member of the Chen
family, is a missions sending agency of medical professionals
and others committed to providing health care and spiritual
encouragement for the people of Nicaragua.
25
»»
Urban Health
AMOS Staff & Boa
People Giving T
DIRECTORS
Dr. David Parajón
Dr. Laura Parajón
ADMINISTRATION
Dania Verónica Urbina Herrera
Edlyn Adela Castro Sacasa
Elizabeth Vallejos Berríos
Martin Ivan Diaz Gutierrez
Roberto Jose Garay Altamirano
ACCOUNTING
Jan’s Yesseska Oporta Rojas
Mario Alberto Solórzano Almanza
COMMUNICATIONS
& DEVELOPMENT
Christine Lafferty
Karla Argentina Sevilla A.
Linsey Curro
»»
Meet the Staff & Board
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
TEAM
Ana Clemencia Williams González
Ann Marie Castleman
Gloria María Herrera Palacios
Silvia Yaoska Carbajal Ballestero
Dr. Renee Kusler
URBAN HEALTH TEAM
Bevely Iscra Martínez Arróliga
Danelia Vilchez Ponce
Dr. Elizabeth Romero Estrada
Dr. Gabriela Alexa Woo Moreno
Dr. Sonia Picado Fernández
Karen Iveth Salazar Alfaro
Janeyris del Carmen Jiménez Lira
RURAL HEALTH TEAM
Dr. Carlos Escobar Doña
Patricia Lineth Pérez Zambrana
Socorro Acuña Lira
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Alberto Antonio Mena García
Desiree María Sanabria Guadamuz
DELEGATIONS PROGRAM
Carmen Curro
Felicia Abril Zamora Zamora
John Caroll
Lester Lenin Lorente
Mélida Ariana Madrigal Ageñal
MAINTENANCE & GROUNDS
Juan Carlos Latino Moreno
Milton José Vallejos Berríos
Otilio Gutierrez Diaz
COOKS & HOUSEKEEPERS
Ana Julia Berríos Paiz
Gracell Eliette Montes López
Josefa del Carmen Vallejos Mairena
Martha Isabel Castro Mendoza
26
ard
To A Healthier Future
SECURITY GUARDS
BOARD MEMBERS of 2014
Cristino Avendaño
Domingo de Jesus Solano
Juan Paulino Velázquez Aguirre
Nelson David Varela
Rodolfo Antonio Molina Hernández
Arthur Francis, CA
David Parajón, MD, MPH, MBA
Deborah Norton, MD, MPH
Laura Chanchien Parajón, MD, MPH
Marlene Francis, PhD
Rev. Mike Jeffries
Octavio Cortés
Robert McElroy, MD
Román Santamaría, DDS
Sixto Ulloa
Rev. Dr. Tim Spring, D.Min.
DRIVERS
Donald Placios Mejía
Guillermo Enrique Mora García
Ramón del Carmen Fonseca Tijerino
LONG-TERM INTERNS
Andre Scarlato
Justin Marcano
27
Honorary Member:
Dr. Suzanne Lake, PhD
BOARD MEMBERS of 2015
Carmen Largaespada
David Hallet, JD
Rev. Dr. Jim Stinespring
Rev. Kent Harrop
Roberto Antonio Martínez, MD
»»
Meet the Staff & Board
In Remembrance
of Two Great Men
“Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:40
Dr. Rev Martin Roffs Masaglia
June 3, 1952 - February 6, 2014
Pastor Martin Rolfs Massaglia was the pastor at FBC Cleveland – the first church
to support Drs. David and Laura Parajón as medical missionaries, and one of the
first churches to get behind AMOS Health and Hope. Under the leadership of
Pastor Martin, our AMOS Christmas letters have been sent out ever year since we
started. He spread the word about AMOS, and had also come on mission teams
nearly every year to Nicaragua.
We thank God for the wonderful gift of Martin´s life and the blessing and privilege
we had to walk and work alongside him, inspired by his example of love, humility,
and service.
Martin, you will always be a part of our AMOS family. You were always there for us
with an encouraging message, a hug, a kind word, a chat in a rocking chair, lots of love
and happy times. You worked alongside us, and understood the meaning of standing
together in partnership and the hope of making this world a better place.
»»
Never to be Forgotten
28
Dr. Kevin Lake
January 25, 1937 - March 8, 2014
Our dear friend, Dr. Kevin Lake passed away last March. He had supported work
with AMOS’ health promoters in rural communities since 2002, and was a founding
member of the AMOS Board since 2006. Kevin was always ready to go with us to
remote villages to train our health promoters whether it was by horseback, by
foot, or by four wheel drive vehicle down rugged rural roads. He believed in the
health promoters and that by sharing his knowledge as a physician, they would
have the skills to save lives in their communities. Most importantly, he shared his
love and encouragement to us all so we could continue serving those who need
it the most.
We will forever remember his service, commitment, and his love for rural Nicaragua.
We will miss him dearly, but his memory will forever shine in our hearts.
Thank you Kevin for touching so many lives, for believing in all of us, and encouraging
all of us to be the best we can be for others. You have touched so many people, including
inspiring us to continue to serve the most vulnerable people, and we know that your
testimony of love and light will shine on in all of us.
29
»»
Never to be Forgotten
2014 Finances
Creating a Sustainable Future
When it comes to sustainability, AMOS has a unique advantage - 4 sustainable programs that
generate funds to cover their own expenses AND help contribute to the overall AMOS budget.
The Delegations and Volunteer programs provide opportunities for people from all around
the world to connect with AMOS´ health programs, generate enough funds to cover their own expenses,
and support priority community health projects such as water filters, clinic buildings, and nutritional
screenings for children.
The AMOS Guesthouse provides food services and lodging for both local Nicaraguan and international
organizations. Guesthouse income, in addition to covering its own costs, contributes to the overall
administrative budget of our health programs.
The Samaritan Clinic is a part of the urban health program and covers 80% of their own expenses
providing quality, low-cost healthcare to people in the community of Nejapa. In 2014, the remaining 20%
of the clinic expenses were covered with contributions from the guesthouse.
In 2014, the combined income from our sustainable programs was able to cover 59% of our total
administrative costs.
Our goal in the next 5 years is to be able to cover 100% of our administrative costs through
sustainable income so that 100% of your donations can go directly to our health programs.
Growth Needed to
Cover All Administrative Costs
41%
59%
Of Administrative
Costs Covered
Contribution from
Sustainable Programs to
Administrative Costs
59%
»»
2014 Finances
30
Individuals
31%
2 0 1 4
Income
Colleges & Universities
12%
Grants
11%
s
Nicaraguan Organizations &CIndividuals
ost
e
v
2%
rati
Churches
44%
t
is
min
Ad
sa
tion
a
c
i
n
C
u
In
Total 2014 Budget:
$804,538
di
l
Co
m
gra
o
r
rP
e
t
l
i
F
use
o
esth
Gu
ers
e
t
lun
2 0 1 4
Expenses
Vo
s
ion
t
a
leg
Communications
&
De
Development
3%
lth
ea
an H
rb
U
Volunteers
4%
al
e
al H
Water Filter Program
r
u
R
ca
eg
es
./I
gs
Or
nd
ivi
u
/U
du
als
Delegations
19%
4%
Guesthouses
9%
31
er
Wat
Ni
ts
an
Gr
le
vid
Administration
20%
m
Com
Rural Health Program
33%
r
und
F
d
n
Urban Health Program
8%
»»
2014 Finances
ni
Thank You!
You are Always Welcome in Nicaragua
Children love to brush these model
teeth as they learn how to properly
brush their own teeth and its
importance at the Nejapa health fair.
32
Join the AMOS Family
We Have a Place for You
AMOS is successful because of your physical help in
Nicaragua, your generous financial gifts, and your prayers.
Please choose at least one of these following ways to stay
involved with us in 2015:
»» Come to Nicaragua
Bring a Service Team: Contact delegations@amoshealth.org
Volunteer or Intern: Contact volunteer.coordinator@amoshealth.org
»» Pray for AMOS and Nicaragua
»» Give Today
Donate Now: www.amoshealth.org/donate
By Check: Mail to US Address Below
»» Receive our Monthly Emails
Sign Up Today: www.amoshealth.org/signup
»» Connect Online
NICARAGUA PHONE:
US MAILING ADDRESS:
NICARAGUA ADDRESS:
011-505-2271-2933
AMOS Health and Hope
3088 Haberlein Rd.
Gibsonia, PA 15044-8232
Km 9.5 Carretera
Vieja a Leon
Del Cementerio Nejapa
1600 metros al noreste
Managua, Nicaragua
SKYPE ADDRESS:
amos-nicaragua
33
US PHONE:
EMAIL:
(240) 232-6874
communications@amoshealth.org
»»
Connect with AMOS
Thank You All for
Your Gifts!
INDIVIDUAL PARTNERS
Adrian Rogier
Ajay Patel
Alistair Francis
Allen Miguel Tello and Karen Foreman
Alma and Matthew Reed
Amber and Rudy Rodriguez
Amie Leaverton
Andy Loving and Susan Taylor
Anessa Huffman
Angela Riley-Blanchard
Anjana Sharma
Ann Maria Ansell
Ann Morgan
Anna Kearney
Armando and Beatrice Pacheco
Arnold and Mary Shih
Austin Patrick Egan and Kirsten Mesinger
Barbara A Woods
Beau Sim
Benjamin and Gillian Battino
Bernice & Robert Simpson
Beth Garry
Beth Spence
Bhavender and Kathryn Sharma
Bruce and Becky Van Der Beek
Bruce Wyatt
Carl Cain
Carlos Escobar
Carol Ann Siegel
Carol Harvey
Carolyn Ashburn
Cassandra Beauvais
Cathy Changchien
Cheryl Harader
Christine Lafferty
Colette Traczyk
Colleen Stuettgen
Cristina Damian
Cynthia and Russ Bernstein
D. Eileen Smith
Daniel Billings
Dave and Elizabeth Shriver
David and Dian Goss
David and Fran Stone
David Crocker
David Hallett
David Howell
Dawn Peterson
Debora Chavarria
Diane Gonzales
Don and Charlene Follett
Donald Pekrul
Donna Shanholtzer
Dr. Chuntung and Li-shie Changchien
Dr. Daniel Hsu
Dr. Deborah Norton and Jonathan Sledge
Dr. Frederick and Joann Lafferty
Dr. James and Christine Hoekwater
Dr. Jeffrey Chung
Dr. Kuen Yong and Tsai Hsiu Yen Liu
Dr. Robert and Jean McElroy
Dr. Stephen and Sylvia Edwards
Dr. Suzanne Lake
Dr. William Martin
Drs. Bob and Joan Holmberg
Elizabeth Marra
Ellen Parkhurst
Elmer and Myrna Voudrie
Emily Kenseth
Emily Kerrigan
Emily McComb
Eric and Lori Tissue
Esther M. Floyd
Eugene W Allen
Eugenia Kirchner
Fran and Vic Leanza
Frederick and Dianne Lim
Frederick and Sharon Wear
G. Allen and Paula Burton
G. Thomas and Marie Colby
Gary and Jo Ann Claus
Gary and Margarett Kunz
Gary Mountcastle and Janet Breunig-Mountcastle
Gene and Connie Marsh
George and Ronnie Jackson
Gerald and Carrie Lin
Harry and France Granger
Hector and Argentina Gonzalez
Helios Ovando-Arreola
Henry and Christine Happel
Henry and Susan Bode
Isabelle Spalding
J Brent Edwards
Jacqueline Ancira
James and Beth Pemberton
James Gault
James Hsu and Orchid Yang
Jane Kinne
Janet and Richard Spalding
Janet Hryniewicki
Janice L. Grogan
Janice Montelione
Jean Fromm
Jeanette Throne
Jeff & Rachel Ebert
Jeffrey Stiles
Jennifer Blair
Jennifer Boyd
Jennifer Burchett
Jennifer Slater
Jerald and Sheila Fite
Jeremy Bull
Jessica Soleyn
Jill and David Bernstein
Jill and William Crawford
Jillinda Ansell
Jim and Hazel Oldham
Jim and Kathleen Jolin
Jim and Phyllis Knauf
Jim Wilkerson and Kathe
Joan and Hiro Huang
Joan and Richard Griffard
Joan Liu
Joan Parajon
John and Dorothy Reed
John Laney and Joan Yarb
Jonathan Carkhuff
Jordan and Cassie Timpy
Joseph Frio
Joyce M Collins
Judith Donley
Judy and Frederick Helfer
Julie and Michael Sexton
June Peters
Karen Donahue
KarolynSue Foreman
Kathi Whalen
Kathleen Suher
Kay Carnegie
Kay Rolfs-Massaglia
Ken Lake
Kenneth and Doris Peery
Kerry Dmax
Khelen Rhodes Kuzmovic
L. Ray and Phyllis Sells
Laura and David Parajon
Laura Lake
Laura Sousa
Lee and Karen Yarrow
Lilian Giles
Lorraine Tiffany Malone
Louise Senecal
Luke Newman
Lynn and Rich Scarlato
M Joane Strauss
Marcella Anderson
Maria Colon-Gonzalez
Marjorie E. Holleman
Marjorie Galloway
Marjorie M. Tello
Mark & Sharon Mansour
Mark and Amy Massaglia
Mark and Lisa Jensen
Mark and Mary Hix
Mary and Walter Hightow
Mary Moore
Matt and Jennifer Harade
Maxey and Susanne Parr
Megan and Barrett Golds
Michael and Patricia Lev
Michael and Tamra Bowm
Michelle Morphew
Mildred Shelton
Nan E. Liebold
Nancy and Gregory Butle
Nancy Wheaton
Oliver Spalding
Olivine Kendall
Paige and Dick Cantwell
Patrick Yancey
34
erine Donley
d
borough
y
r
n
y
ch
n
Paul and Sharon Eklof
Paula and Peter Limburg
Phyllis and Richard Beauvais
Randy Schnedler
Richard and Elizabeth Myers
Richard and Kim Bernard
Richard Messenger
Rita Ailinger
Robert and Rebecca Endres
Robert and Zelda Williams
Robert Remington
Robert Schneider
Ronald and Arbutus Sider
Ronald E. Pust
Rose and Robert Stiles
Royce Jones and Angeline Ripley Jones
S. Benjamin and Mary Hamblett
Scott and Susan Lafferty
Sherry and Russ Galloway
Shirley Russell
Silvia Pollo
Stephanie Ford
Steve Garufi
Steven Hornsby
Susan Brandt
Susan Morris
Susan Price
Tara and Bradford Kirk
Thomas Dodds
Tim and Kirsten Johnsen Martin
Tim and Pauline Spring
Tobili Sam-Yellowe
Tom and Marion Metz
Tsunie and Ching Chih Chanchien
Valerie and Oliver Stalsbroten
Wh. & L.C. Tsai
Whitney Casement
William (Bill) Cumming
William Barbour
Wini and Keith Dewey
Yoshie Changchien and James S. Yeh
CHURCH PARTNERS
a
wer
er
rish
smith
i
man
er
35
ABW Ministries of Idaho
American Baptist Churches of NY State
Amo First Baptist Church, IN
Anacortes First Baptist Church, WA
Burton Baptist Church, MI
Chinese Christian Church & Center, PA
Christ the King Community Church, WA
Christ United Methodist Church, NM
Clearview Community Church, CO
Community United Methodist Church, OH
Episcopal Church of the Messiah, CA
First Baptist Church in Beverly, MA
First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor, MI
First Baptist Church of Benton, IL
First Baptist Church of Clinton, IA
First Fort Lauderdale, FL
First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland, OH
First Baptist Church of Johnston, IA
First Baptist Church of Lancaster, PA
First Baptist Church of Massillon, OH
First Baptist Church of Mattoon, IL
First Baptist Church of McMinnville, OR
First Baptist Church of Osage, IA
First Baptist Church of Spencer, WV
First Baptist Church of Topeka, KS
Grace Trinity Community Church, MN
Greenfield Baptist Church, PA
International Ministries (American Baptist Church)
Isaiah 61 Ministries
Jefferson Street Baptist Community, KY
Knollwood Baptist Church, NC
McGrawville Baptist Church, NY
Mid-American Baptist Churches
Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, NY
North Hills Community Baptist Church, PA
North Shore Baptist Church, IL
Park Avenue Baptist Church, KS
Peacemakers, WV
Plymouth Church (UCC), WI
Providence Baptist Church, NC
Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, NC
Riverfront Family Church, CT
St. Mark Presbyterian Church, CA
St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church, CA
The Springdale Baptist Church, OH
Union Valley Baptist Church, WV
University Baptist Church, MN
Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Boise, Inc. (ID)
West End United Methodist Church, TN
West Virginia Baptist Convention
UNIVERSITY PARTNERS
Alderson Broaddus University, WV
Chemeketa Community College, OR
Duke University, NC
University of Miami, FL
University of Wisconsin-Madison (RAD-AID)
Wake Forest University, NC
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS AND
FOUNDATIONS
Alliance Of Baptists
ChenMed
GlobeMed at Rhodes College
Lake Family Foundation
Masek Foundation
Medtronic
Morris Farms, Inc.
Nicaragua Medical Missions, FL
North American Taiwanese
Medical Association Foundation
Operation Agri
Pure Water Access Project, OH
Strachan Foundation
The Bauer Foundation
The Hastings Foundation
White Cross
W.O.W. (Wash Out Worms) Now
“There is power in continuing
to learn...
It’s a beautiful thing to have passion and to learn
things that won’t just help you as a person, but
that you can use as a voice for people who have no
voice. We can speak for other people who do not
have the ability to speak for themselves and to
help bring justice.”
- - Agustín Malueños, Health Promoter in El Cedro
(Located 13 hours away from Managua)
AM
Health & Hope