HONDURAS: Home to 7 million people, it is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. About 55% of the population lives below poverty rate; the average Honduran family lives on about $2 a day. The effects of this poverty include abandoned children, malnutrition, disease, and high infant mortality rates. To recieve medical care, the average Honduran has to travel over 4 hours by foot on rough terrain. We understand that these problems cannot be solved immediately, but we aim to provide the maximum amount of medical relief possible during our stay in Honduras.

Medical Brigades at Oakland is a chapter of Global Brigades, the world's largest student-led global health and sustainable development organization. The Oakland chapter systematically works with more than 300 other university groups around the world to deliver and implement one of nine skill-based programs that benefit more than 130,000 Honduran and Panamanian community members annually. Global Medical Brigades develops sustainable health initiatives and provides relief where there is limited access to healthcare.

The duration of our medical brigade will be for six nights, seven days. During our weeklong stay, we'll travel to a desginated impoverished village, and provide basic medical care. According to Global Brigades' studies, common diagnoses include malnutrition, parasites, cough, cold, headache, body pain, and dermatitis. We'll depart for our brigade in December 2011.

With a goal of $1,500 including airfare expenses, medical costs, and other accomodations and fees - we are also accepting items until our departure this December. Reading glasses, small toys, games, clothes, shoes - kids and women, soccer balls, baby diapers, Spanish children books, school supplies, stickers, hair barrettes. Also basic needs such as soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, basic first-aid kits, nail clippers, etc. The list goes on, feel free to ask if you have any questions!

All contributions are sincerely appreciated and necessary to make this project possible. Every step towards social change helps make a difference!

"THE GREATEST POVERTY OF ALL.. IS LOVE!" --Mother Teresa