The Pinares Project - FAQs

How is this project different from others that send ‘medical mission’ trips?
Like many groups labeled ‘medical missions’, we employ medical and nonmedical volunteers in short-term efforts to help impoverished rural developing communities. However, in affiliation with and employing a model created by Shoulder to Shoulder, we are committed to long term improvements in health through community empowerment and partnership. Only by committing to return to the same community over time, engaging and empowering community members as partners and focusing on other determinants of health (like safe water, education and infrastructure-building) can sustainable improvements in health be attained. By engaging U.S. students and trainees in the health professions on these trips, we simultaneously foster broad principles currently lacking in U.S. health education and impact future care for vulnerable populations and communities at home.

What is Shoulder to Shoulder?
Shoulder to Shoulder (www.shouldertoshoulder.org) a 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation, is in its 18th year of service in rural Honduras. It has taken over 2500 learners to the region, and enjoys the confidence, support and appreciation of key Honduran stakeholders. The former Minister of Health and former first lady of Honduras serve on Shoulder to Shoulder’s international board.

What and where is Pinares?
Pinares and its surrounding villages in the western part of Honduras are among the poorest areas in Honduras. Pinares is remote, mountainous and without paved roads. Access to most villages is gained on foot. Because of the nature of the terrain, residents can barely grow enough on their land to feed themselves and rarely have much to sell as a source of income.

What should I know about the population you serve?
Forty percent of the population of Pinares lives on the equivalent of $2.00 per day. Children and adults lack access to basic medical and dental care. Only 85% of Honduran children complete primary school. Life expectancy is 69.4 years and 40% of the population is under the age of 15.

What are the most common medical conditions you see?
The leading causes of death in Pinares are diarrhea and upper respiratory illness. Maternal death from childbirth is common, as are hepatitis A and typhoid fever. Many children have parasites and as a result suffer from anemia (low iron in the blood). Dental disease is widespread among children and adults.

What are you doing to help?
In partnership with the community, a clinic was built which provides for year-round care by a nurse. A Honduran doctor and dentist visit weekly. Brigades of physicians, dentists, students, nurses and interpreters from our organization and others visit regularly and provide direct medical care and education. Ongoing projects include water filtration, a child health initiative and cervical cancer screening. We also provide merit-based scholarships to local children.

What will my donation support, how do I pay, and is my donation tax deductible?
After expenses are met, all proceeds from the concert will be used to purchase medical supplies for the clinic and to support the scholarship fund. No funds will be used for travel expenses. Checks may be made payable to Shoulder to Shoulder (Tax ID# 31-1487319) and designated “Pinares (Fairfax).” The majority of your donation will be tax deductible.