PARAMEDICS FOR CHILDREN INC
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It is hard to describe the impact this little charity had on the refugees in Indonesia after the tsunami of December 2004. The charity founders, Pam and Rodger, accomplished an incredible feat of organizing 16 medical professionals to respond to the critical conditions in Indonesia. Paramedics for Children provided an unbelievable amount of logistics, financing, planning, and just plain hard work to send the group on a medical relief mission half way across the world. Our group assisted over 400 hundred desperately needy Indonesians who were left with nothing after one of the greatest natural disasters in human history. We brought over several hundred pounds of medical and technical supplies and treated people who had no other access to the most basic medical care. Even aspirin was a treasure in those primitive field conditions. Our group, despite incredible odds, set up a forward medical clinic in one of the refugee camps, ran a medical clinic for several days, and left behind a framework and supplies for our relief medical team. Not only did we bring medical supplies and expertise, but hope. Most of the people had never seen anyone outside of their community. To know that the world was supporting them and that people all across the world cared about what happened to them was priceless. Everyone of them will forever remember the group of Americans and Canadians, and one New Zealander and Czech, and the fact that they came literally half way across the world and lived and worked in the most primitive conditions and brought hope.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Honduras, US, and Indonesia.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would provide all the funding in the world because this is incredibly efficient charity that provides culturally and economically sustainable care in all levels.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
I would love to participate in more US fundraising events.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
Forever yes. I came away knowing that no matter what happens to me, there is always greater need in the world. This experience forever changed my attitude toward the world and made me realize how fortunate we are and more than ever committed to sharing and volunteering. I also immediately joined a local fire department upon return and continue serving my community as a volunteer EMT, firefighter, rescue tech, and few other capacities.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
Despite the utter devastation, I was incredibly moved by the world-wide effort to help. And it also made me realize how few dedicated people can really change the world and provide hope, priceless hope.
As a person who has worked in the non-profit & medical field for many, many years, I can tell you first hand that Paramedics For Children is one of the most effective organizations I have ever run across. I have worked as a fundraiser, volunteer, paramedic and board member for many organizations, but several years ago made a decision to support PFC completely. The way that donations are utilized, the lack of salaries paid out, the dedication of the staff are exemplory and beyond reproach. I have no idea how they do what they do. After only being in business for 13 years, this charity has made great strides in education, healthcare, children's issues as well as stimulating the local economy. Paramedics For Children subscribes to the notion of "teaching a man to fish". Bravo, as this approach has made all of their programs, with the exception of school supplis, self-sustaining.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Over the years of volunteering with PFC, I have seen on return trips, the growth of the children. I have seen the drop-out rates at the numerous mountain schools decline as a direct result of the efforts of PFC.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Not interfere one darn bit with the day to day operations. If I could change one thing, it would be to heighten the awareness so that PFC could be better funded.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
What is unique about this organization?
The one on one approach they take to individual situations and persons.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
A very special, caring ministry in Western Honduras. Low (no?) overhead, everything goes to those in need in impoverished communities. Lives have been saved, literacy rates have been increased, school dropout rates have been reduced. The organization has established EMT services in many communities; they've built a very necessary, and popular, medical clinic; they provide important school supplies to more than 2,000 children in 25+ remote Mayan communities in the mountains of western Honduras. All of this with little funding, and no endowment or reserves.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
person as we visited an orphanage and 15 schools. The children in these places are truly impacted by the work of Paramedics for Children.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
change nothing! Rodger (the head) is doing exactly what is required to truly meet the needs of the people in this area of Honduras.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The one-on-one exposure to the individual children. You are "on the firing line", and you cannot help but to be influenced by it. This is the Real Deal.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very dedicated and commited. There is no money siphoned off into ego-building, into fund-raising, into big salaries. All donations go directly to the work of aiding the children.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Wow! Think of the communities that could be touched, the lives that could be saved, the children that could be educated. But $10 million is not what they need. They need far less to continue and to expand upon what they do on a day to day basis.
Ways to make it better...
I knew that others would be joining in to give donations, or to participate in mission trips, in the future. I hate to think of these children ever being abandoned for lack of support.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Lack of publicity, lack of money.
One thing I'd also say is that...
This is an organization that truly deserves support. A little support (financial or mission trips) here is worth far, far more than dollars given to a nonprofit with mega-thousands or mega-millions of dollars.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
They are a tiny organization that uses virtually all of their donations to help poor rural children and their families in Honduras and Guatamala. They provide ambulances and medical supplies, fund a clinic and and orphanage, and bring school supplies up into the mountains 4 times a year. If you want to know exactly where ALL your money is going, I highly recommend Paramedics for Children.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
- the number of children receiving school supplies and vitamins - the number of people seen by the clinic - the number of fully outfitted ambulances delivered to Central America
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
It's tiny - just Rodger Harrison, the founder, Roz Morton, who keeps things rolling when he's in Central America - neither of whom gets a salary. They are aided by a shifting cast of volunteers and donors.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
I've met both Rodger and Roz, and they are passionate but practical people who know how to make things happen.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Expand its model of locally managed ambulance services and clinics throughout Central America, and substantively improve the educational opportunities for rural children.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
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