2020 has brought many challenges; our aviation program has not been able to fly many weekend health clinics this year due to the varying COVID-19 restrictions, communities worrying about having outsiders visiting, and the cautiousness of the volunteer medical professionals that provide care. Mano a Mano has started to re-initiate our weekend health clinics, with recent visits to the Mocovi Jail in Trinidad and the community of Tentayapi.
Mocovi Jail
Mocovi Jail, Trinidad, Bolivia
Doctora Carmen, a volunteer dentist that is regularly involved in dental jornadas (weekend health clinics), sent us a brief report and pictures for the recent weekend health clinic carried out in coordination with our aviation program. The jornada took place in the Mocovi Jail in Trinidad, Bolivia; 175 people received medical care and 85 received dental care. Free haircuts were also provided.
Mano a Mano weekend health clinics often include free haircuts as well as dental and medical care.
Tentayapi
Tentayapi, Bolivia
Weekend Health Clinics
Our aviation program makes it possible for Mano a Mano to partner with and provide urgently needed services to isolated rural communities whose distance from the city would otherwise prohibit their inclusion in Mano a Mano’s projects. Our flights fit Into 4 basic categories:
- To safely transport Mano a Mano staff and volunteers to remote communities in order to: determine whether a community’s request to partner with Mano a Mano will be accepted; meet with community leaders and local government officials to develop partnership agreements and project plans; select building sites; supervise construction; deliver medical supplies; provide health care, health education and supervision;
- To airlift critically ill and injured patients to city hospitals for emergency care;
- To make flight hours available to other non-profit organizations whose missions are consistent with that of Mano a Mano;
- To generate revenue by making flight hours available at a commercial rate to businesses and the general public (revenue-generating flights subsidize emergency flights and weekend health clinics, which are provided free of charge to people in need).
Mano a Mano pilot Ivo Daniel Martinez on a flight transporting medical supplies and equipment.
Pilot of Hope Trailer
A documentary made about Mano a Mano’s aviation program in Bolivia and our pilot Ivo Daniel Martinez is now available to watch on Amazon Prime Video and Vimeo On Demand. For Amazon Prime Video: log on to your Amazon Prime Video account (you must have a Prime subscription to watch); search for “On the Wing”; go to Season 2, Episode 1 – “Pilot of Hope.” If you do not have an Amazon Prime account, you can rent ($1) or buy ($2) the episode on Vimeo On Demand here (the Mano a Mano episode is #7 – Bolivia – The pilot of hope). We hope you’ll check it out!
Video trailer credit: Devised TV