At a Glance: The region of San Jose de los Remates (SJR) covers about 280 km of central Nicaragua. Most of its 9,000 citizens are subsistence farmers who live under the conditions of extreme poverty--underemployment, lack of transportation, and, more importantly, difficult access to basic healthcare. This lack of access is the most significant contributor to the persistence of preventable diseases (such as diarrhea, malnutrition, and acute respiratory problems). GlobeMed at Rhodes is partnering with an organization, AMOS (A Ministry of Sharing), who has already benefitted SJR and Nicaragua through their countless initiatives.

Key Statistics: As of recent census data, there are only 11 nurses or midwives for every 10,000 people living in Nicaragua (compared to 94 in the U.S.) while there are no more than 4 physicians for every 10,000 people (compared to 26 in the U.S.). An astounding 96.2 % of all private expenditures on health are paid for out of pocket, leaving those living in poverty with nowhere to go for medical attention. These out of pocket expenses and the shortage of healthcare personnel both keep rural Nicaraguans, like those living in SJR, from getting their essential healthcare needs.

Partner Info: Our partner, AMOS based in Managua, seeks to address the problems of poverty, disease and preventable deaths through a panoply of community-empowering ventures. Along with its wide network of clinics in SJR, AMOS provides medications to treat children suffering from parasite infections that cause malnutrition and poor growth, and supports the victims of disaster by providing food, medicines, and personal hygiene kits.

Project/Impact: All proceeds from the "Strength for SJR" Campaign will go towards providing a community of 300-500 people with their basic health needs, which includes medical education programs, essential medications for the community clinic, and basic medical equipment such as heart cuffs and scales. From mid-May to the first week of June, 5 members of GlobeMed at Rhodes will be traveling around AMOS's health clinic network, undergoing a collaborative effort to determine the area's most immediate needs. When these needs are ascertained, future proceeds will benefit those individual projects.

Chapter History: GlobeMed at Rhodes partnered with AMOS early in the spring of 2009. We hope to strengthen our already close relationship through this summer's needs-assessment trip.