2024 has been bittersweet. There is no other place for us to start a review of the year than with the tragic deaths of Joan Velásquez, Mano a Mano Co-Founder, in December, and Ivo Daniel Martínez Velásquez, Lead Pilot of Mano a Mano’s Aviation Program in Bolivia, in June. We are grateful to so many of you for your condolences, kind words, and best wishes. Both Joan and Ivo were instrumental in what we as an organization have been able to accomplish over decades, and their impact and legacy will continue to be felt far into the future.

Mano a Mano Co-Founder, Joan Velásquez: 1941-2024
Ivo Daniel Martínez Velásquez: 1988-2024

Celebrating 30 Years in Operation

2024 has been tough; it has also been a momentous year. Mano a Mano International Partners (our Minnesota-based nonprofit, with four counterpart organizations in Bolivia to follow over the next decade+) was formally founded in October 1994 – over 30 years ago! Thank you to everyone that attended our event at Mano a Mano on September 15th celebrating 30 years in operation for our Minnesota-based nonprofit.

A few pictures from our earlier years. Read more about our journey here.

“We were very aware of the need for medical supplies and equipment in Bolivia and knew medical professionals who could help us get donations. What didn’t we have? A way to transport it to Bolivia and clear it through customs without paying more than the cargo was worth.


A friend who worked with refugee programs gave Mano a Mano a list of 96 U.S.-based international NGOs that had had some experience in Bolivia. Ann Foxen and Joan Velasquez called every one of them, thinking that surely one would welcome the opportunity to receive medical supplies and equipment from us and get it to our hospital contacts in Bolivia. Each in turn applauded the idea but none was willing/able to help us. We decided that in order to do this work we would have to form an NGO.”


What Does Mano a Mano Do? Why Are We Here?

Mano a Mano’s mission is: “Partnering together – Hand in Hand – to transform the health and well-being of Bolivian communities in need.” In 1994, Mano a Mano Co-Founders Segundo & Joan Velasquez came together with friends & family to address 2 problems:

  • in Minnesota, hundreds of thousands of pounds of usable medical supplies and equipment are thrown away each year;
  • in Bolivia, basic supplies were desperately needed and we knew we could put these supplies to good use.

At the time in the 1990s, Bolivia had one of the highest rural poverty rates in the world, and despite making real progress over the following decades, Bolivia continues to be among the poorest countries in Latin America (especially in the smaller, more isolated communities in rural areas where our work is centered). Access to quality basic services – health, education, water, food, transportation – are in need, and Mano a Mano is ready to partner with Bolivian communities to meet their identified requests.


Over the past 30 years, we have grown into 5 counterpart organizations that have kept the same “mano a mano – hand in hand” approach – connecting resources in the US & Bolivia with strong community-based partnerships – to construct hundreds of sustainable community projects throughout Bolivia. We ensure that each project is well-equipped and maintained, and that ongoing training and education programs are also provided.


CEA, Distributing Supplies, PT, Internships – Mano a Mano Internacional’s Work in 2024


Thank You!

We are so grateful to you for helping Mano a Mano continue to partner with Bolivian communities – on projects they request & ultimately own – to improve their lives. Mano a Mano’s biggest strength is our community-based partnership model – bringing many people together to accomplish things that none of us could do on our own.

Every activity, every project new or old, every program, depends on the dedication & effort of many people. As we look back at 2024, we want to thank you:

Mano a Mano projects are always a partnership.
Mano a Mano projects are always a partnership.

Learn More About Mano a Mano


2024 in Video

Check out the full 2024 in Video post here. Below is the playlist on Youtube:


2024 Photo Slideshow


2024 in Photos


Photos on Facebook