Hello friends and family!

If you are stumbling on this page my name is Sofia and I am a physical therapist at the Mayo Clinic. I was blessed enough to be accepted on a Medical Mission trip to go support the communities of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos and One World Surgery Center in Honduras for a week long trip from March 25th to April 1st.

I am humbled by the opportunity, but would be remiss if I didn’t reach out to my resources and involve anyone interested in helping me in this endeavor. Any support is appreciated even if it’s just kind words, prayers, physical donations, or a monetary contribution. There is no pressure whatsoever to provide any assistance. If you so choose to provide what you can, monetary donations will cover program fees as well as donations to take to the children, families, and patients of Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos and the One World Surgery Center in Honduras. The team will consist of Mayo Clinic providers, yet is not funded or supported by Mayo at all. This is the first time that they send physical therapists on a trip like this one and I am grateful to serve alongside two of my colleagues Matt and Sam Sahhar. The goal of the visit is to provide total joint replacements to those in need in this population as well as provide physical therapy education, evaluation, and treatment so as to ensure the integrity of these surgical interventions. As I firmly believe in toxic charity, this trip is one I am grateful provides the people of the program continued care even when our time there is over as another medical team takes over.

If you know me, you know I am passionate about global health initiatives as well as being able to leverage my bilingual abilities to help underserved populations (gracias Mamá y Papá). I have previously served as a medical interpreter for Mission of Mercy as well traveled to Mexico throughout my time in college and my graduate program to serve NPH as well as the pueblos of Sonora with in home health screenings, pop up clinics at the local church, creating a program in Spanish for post operative knee replacements, as well as providing hippo therapy to children with cerebral palsy. This trip not only reignites my passion for what I do, but allows me to use my skills for those with limited access to healthcare.

If you choose to not provide a monetary donation I will provide a list of needed items that the orphanage has sent. Please reach out to me personally if you’d like to provide physical donations.

Program Fees to participate: $1000

Flight cost: $900-1200

Luggage to take donations: $60 -75 per bag dependent on airlines

Customs charges for donation items: Miscellaneous

NEEDS FOR BUEN PASTOR (HOME FOR ADOLESCENT BOYS):

• Flip Flops for Bathroom

• Bath Towels

• Pijamas

• Underwear (boxers, socks)

• Daily Clothes (shorts, shirts, pants)

• Bed sheets and blankets

• Shower Curtains

• Bath carpets

• Coats (sweaters, etc)

• Hair Cutting/shaving machines

• Soap holders for bathroom

• Sweatpants

• Kitchen Towels

NEEDS FOR CASA SUYAPA Y MADRE TERESA (HOME FOR TODDLERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN):

• Diapers

• Pijamas : sizes 2,4,6,8,10

• Underwear (boys and girls) :size 2,4,6,8,10

• Training Bras sizes 8 y 10

• Hair ties

• Combs

• Hair brushes

• Bath towels

• Shower rugs

• Sandals sizes 28 a 35

• Soap Holders

• Hand towels

• Clothes for both sexes (shorts, shirts, dresses, pants, leggings sizes 2 to 9 years)

• Sweaters : sizes 2 to 9 years

• Bibs for toddlers

• Tooth brushes (2- 4 years)

• Baby bottles

• Bottle brush

• Bed Sheets for cribs

• Bottle nipples

• Shower curtains (impermeable)

• Hats for babies, toddlers, and children

• Hair gel

NEEDS FOR TALITA KUMI (Home for adolescent girls):

• Extension cord

• shower curtains

• Pijamas Size: 8, 10, 12, 14 & 16

• Bathroom Towels

• One size fits all white socks

• Sports/Training Bras Size 10, 12, S, M & L

• Underwear Size 10/12 , 12/14, S & M

• Sandals for bathroom 31, 32, 35,37, 38 & 4

• Small Locks

• Hand-held flashlights

• Table cloths

• Hair ties

• Combs

• Bed Sheets

• Blankets

• Spoons

• Forks

• Shower Rugs

• Sweaters

• Metal Combs for De-Licing

NEEDS FOR TRANSITION HOME IN CATACAMAS:

• Sets of Pots and Pans

• Serving Spoons

• Knives

• Blenders

• Microwaves

• Irons for clothes

• Underwear for boys and girls (varied sizes)

• Pillows

• Bed sheets

• Shoes for boys and girls (varied sizes)

• Clothes for boys and girls

• Hair ties

• Combs and brushes

• Toys

• Fans

GENERAL NEEDS FOR RANCHO SANTA FE:

• Toothbrushes (kid size and adult size) and toothpaste

• School supplies

• Paper and office supplies

• Washing Machines

• Kitchen appliances (microwaves, toasters, blenders, coffee makers, knives, etc.)

• Refrigerators

• Shoes for children and adults

• Mattresses

• Bed sheets and pillows

• Diapers

• Hygiene Products (deodorant, soap, shampoo, etc.)

• Sofas and chairs

• Sports Balls

• Laptops

• Projectors

• Maintenance Tools

• LED Lightbulbs

• Treadmill for adults

• Therapeutic ball pit

• Pencil adaptors