Post From Ray – Distributing Supplies in Bolivia

Mano a Mano volunteer Ray Wiedmeyer spent most of the month of October in Bolivia with Mano a Mano, helping out with the many activities and getting a better understanding of the distribution process in Bolivia. Ray is our volunteer warehouse coordinator in our St. Paul, Minnesota office/warehouse, and it has been great to have a volunteer so dedicated to the program that has a firsthand perspective of the program in both the US and Minnesota (this was Ray’s second trip to Bolivia this year). We’ll be sharing a few of his many posts about his experience on our website; the note below was written by Ray on October 27th.

The Week’s Ebb and Flow…

My time here in Bolivia will end in a couple days but I am conscious this morning of the ebb and flow of this place, particularly in the warehouse where I spend many hours. The pictures below are two of the many waves. The first two pictures were taken just before tens of thousands of pounds of medical supplies left the warehouse at last Saturday’s distribution to individuals, clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes.

Mano a Mano’s Cochabamba warehouse full of supplies ready for distribution.

Mano a Mano’s Cochabamba warehouse full of supplies ready for distribution.

The distribution is a very public event where goods are passed once more from hand to hand…’Mano a Mano’. When all the medical supplies were safely packed into cars, trucks, and ambulances the warehouse once again looked open and bare.

Picking up donated supplies at our distribution event on October 22nd, 2016.

Picking up donated supplies at our distribution event on October 22nd, 2016.

Amazing the transformation within but a couple of hours.

Empty warehouse after the distribution…

As always food and celebration of the thousands of hours of work well done was just around the corner. (A complete meal for 20+ including two kinds of potatoes, rice, veggies, and meat cooked on site on a two burner stove. They never cease to amaze me here!)

Mano a Mano staff & volunteers gathering for a meal in the empty warehouse (only empty for a little while!).

And yesterday’s final pic…the next wave. Mano a Mano staff and I empty two of the four containers waiting outside into the warehouse…a couple hundred wheelchairs, walkers and pairs of crutches tucked away elsewhere. I can feel here the dedication, compassion, and love flow around me day after day. I will miss this place and the people dearly.

Unloading the new arrival of 4 containers shipped from Minnesota in June 2016.