How You Can Help

by Rachel Barnett

 

Karen Morris talks about how you can help. Video by Meghan Speakerman

In a recent interview, Karen Morris, CTMC administrative director of ancillary services, discussed ways in which people can become involved in the hospital's philanthropic mission. When asked what kind of a difference these efforts make in the lives of the Honduran people, Morris’ answer was simple: “You’re feeding Alicia.” By using funds from the products of the coffee cooperative and the skills learned from the Pan American technical vocational school, the Hondurans served will be able to support themselves and rise from extreme poverty and malnutrition.

Here are some ways you can get involved:

·         Volunteering

o   Before the medicine can get to the Honduran people, it must be sorted and packaged, a process that even with volunteers, “takes several months,” according to Morris.

o   Pan American Health Services’ website has a volunteer page listing multiple ways to get involved, including an online application form.

o  Pan American volunteer requirements include people aged 21 and older with high "moral" character. Short term (1-4 weeks) and long term (1-24 months) volunteer positions are available.

·        Donating Financially

o   According to the Pan American Health Services website, “finances are essential to operate this broad scope of work” that they do. They have a page  on their website where you can donate money through Paypal, credit card or mail.

·         Purchase Honduran goods

Photo by Jenna Box

o   CTMC is in the planning stages of providing Honduran made goods for sale in their hospital gift shop. Among the items that will be available for sale are coffee grown and roasted in Honduras and baskets and hats hand-woven by a co-op of local Honduran women.

“I would like to get it in there before the end of the year,” Morris said.

The current stock of items consists of goods donated by volunteers who went on the trip. Morris said that the profit made from the initial investment will go toward shipping more items here.

The coffee is intended to be sold for $7-8 a pound.

·         Raise awareness

o   “Having the coffee in the gift shop is a good thing, but if nobody knows it’s there,” then it won’t do much good, said Morris. Her hope is that by selling these items, people will be made more aware of Pan American’s mission and thus more likely to visit their website to learn more. 

o   The more people spread the word, the more people will be able to help. Pan American’s website has a page devoted to ways you can let others know about their efforts in Honduras.