I have had the privilege of being able to go on three mission trips with Esperanca. As an anesthesiologist I have had the opportunity to do a variety of missions: general surgery, plastic surgery and orthopedics. They were all in Bolivia and each trip was productive and valuable!
Esperanca as an organization, their Pheonix headquarters as well as their Bolivian base, is well organized, knowledgable and full of very dedicated people. Because they are a small organization and supported by individuals they are able to avoid the bureaucratic inefficiencies which inevitably accompany large organizations and organizations supported by governmental based grants. It is critical to their mission that they do not discriminate in who they serve.
Esperanca is an outstanding organization and I am proud to be part of it. This organization does so much good with so much efficiency. The biggest thing I look for in an organization is how much actually goes to the charitable purpose. This organization has developed a small, but highly educated/specialized, staff that works toward its mission extremely efficiently. They coordinate people and volunteer schedules all over the world, as well as in Phoenix, AZ. The doctors and nurses that volunteer for Esperanca is a direct result of this organization being the best at what it does.
I have worked several mission trips with Espernza. They are a well organized group, in general...The Bolivia crew are great people and make the trip efficient and also fun. They and we laugh a lot. Nicaragua was a lot of work but also rewarding. Trouble with customs in Santa Cruz this year was a bummer.
I am proud to be a board member of this outstanding charity. The incredibly good work it does for so many locally & around the world is amazing. The staff is extremely limited so expenses are less than 10% of revenue. The incredible doctors and nurses who routinely go on medical missions volunteer hundreds of hours of their time. During a typical week long mission, approximately 50 surgeries from cleft lips to tumors and deformed bones are completed. Locally preventative programs are implemented including personal hygiene, exercise, healthy eating & dental care. This organization helps many, many people with a very limited budget.
I recently returned from a week-long medical mission in Sucre, Bolivia. This is my fourth time volunteering with Esperanca in Bolivia, and i will continue to volunteer in Bolivia as much as time and circumstance will allow. The coordinator Lupe treats us like family and has made our volunteer time and the time outside the hospital incredibly warm and welcoming. We had full days in and around the operating room/hospital, and the lengths that the staff go to in order to increase our comfort and ability to care for our patients is second to none.
I can honestly say that this organization is the best that I have volunteered for. I have been on many medical missions with a different organization and Esperanca exceeded my expectations. I will not volunteer with another organization other than this one. The people that make these mission trips happen are unbelievably organized. I look forward every year doing this medical mission as it truly is an honor to be a part of this organization.
I have been on 6 surgical missions with Esperanca, and they have been some of the most rewarding expirences I have had. The people we helped were grateful for any help we could provide. The thanks and grateful looks in their eyes transcended and language barrier. The staff in Bolivia made us feel like part of an extended family and showed us all the hospitality they could. It made me appreciate what we have when people have so little. I am planning a mission to Nicuragua in November, and can't wait to go. The trips make my retirement much more interesting.
in multiple roles, I have seen the great impact of this well run organization. life-changing activities with an efficient use of resources.
I have worked firsthand with Esperanca organizing medical mission trips, and can't say enough good things about them! They have made our trips much more efficient and smooth. Everyone here is a pleasure to work with. They are always open to feedback and constantly trying to improve their programs.
My organization, Healing, Health, & Hope, has worked with Esperanca on medical mission trips for many years now. In the past, we have organized trips on our own, but since our partnership has emerged, Esperanca makes our jobs much, much easier and donations can now be spent more efficiently. When we arrive in Nicaragua/Bolivia, we have over a hundred patients to screen, an operating and recovery room available for our use, and accommodations/transportation taken care of. They have offices in both locations with employees there to help us with any needs throughout the week. Now we are able to focus on what we are there to do - transform lives - instead of having to worry about details like these! We are very grateful for this relationship!
I have been personally involved with this organization for nine years and I have see first-hand the impact it has on the local community and its children. While the programs employed outside of the U.S. have far-reaching, long-term benefits, my focus has been on the local program, serving low-income, struggling families in west Phoenix.
Review from Guidestar