Solidarity Bridge

In thanksgiving for the countless blessings we have received, we at Solidarity Bridge have been called to give back to the world. As we give of ourselves, we are touched by the beauty and strength of the people we serve. In them we have seen the true meaning of compassion, respect and deep faith in God. They have taught us about humility and human dignity. While we go to heal and empower those in need, we find that we are, in turn, healed and empowered by them. Here is a glimpse of our story...

BOLIVIA is a landlocked country in the heart of South America. It is a land of political turmoil that has undergone nearly 200 coups in its 186 years of being a nation. As the poorest country on its continent, an alarming 70 percent of its people live in deep poverty, 63 percent struggle with little to no access to medical resources, and its average citizen makes 22 cents per hour of hard labor.

For more about Bolivian demographics and quality of life, please visit the World Health Organization’s page on Bolivia or Human Rights Watch’s reports on Bolivia.

PARAGUAY lies on Bolivia's southeast border. It is the second poorest country in South America, after Bolivia. Ethnically, Paraguayans are 95% mestizo (mixed Spanish and Native American) and 90% speak the Guaraní indigenous language. The country is still recovering from a 35-year military dictatorship that ended in 1989, and faces entrenched corruption and deficient infrastructure.

For more about Paraguay demographics and quality of life, please visit the World Health Organization’s page on Paraguay or Human Rights Watch’s reports on Paraguay

THE MEDICAL PROGRAM is a partnership between U.S. and Latin American medical personnel, primarily surgical, who serve the poor in their critical health needs. In our first decade we have seen over 55,000 patients and performed more than 2,700 surgeries. We have also brought roughly $20 million worth of medicines, medical supplies, equipment, and training to Latin American hospitals to be used in their work with those living in poverty.

Our programs include our Direct Service Medical Trips, General Surgery Program, Heart Surgery Program, and Neurosurgery Program.
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THE FAIR TRADE PROGRAM
As our mission evolved, we recognized the need to not only heal the sick, but to go to the root of the problem of poverty. To answer this call we formed Fair Trade partnerships with Solidarity Clothing, Dharma Trading, and Greenola providing a bridge between indigenous Bolivian sewing cooperatives and U.S. consumers.
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OUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY is central to our mission. We do not proselytize but celebrate our faith by action and example. People of all faiths and traditions are encouraged to join us and we welcome them into our spiritual sharing and reflection. The mission experience expands the world of our volunteers and invites them to live more full and meaningful lives. They witness life in the developing world, see God’s face in the poor, and are moved by the dignity and strength of the people they encounter. Lives are changed forever as our missioners grow more deeply into a life of volunteerism and service.

OUR VISION

The love of Christ impels us to heal and empower those in need. Through bonds of solidarity, we serve those living in poverty in partnership with our Latin American colleagues.

Rooted in the Catholic tradition, Solidarity Bridge welcomes people of all faiths and traditions who wish to serve those living in poverty through urgent medical care and Fair Trade partnerships.

In a spirit of mutuality, we create a channel for the abundant good will and generosity of individuals and organizations to reach those living in poverty.

In respect for all members of our human community, we serve those living in poverty in Latin America equally regardless of ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, sex or age.

As those living in poverty teach us and impact our lives, we gain perspective on the inequities in the human family.

In our service to those living in poverty, we advocate for justice and solidarity between North and South America.

United States Board of Directors
Nancy Churchill, R.N.
Kurt Florian, J.D., Chairman
Dale Granchalek
Bishop Ray Goedert
Juan Lorenzo Hinojosa, Ph.D.
Bob LaPata, M.D.
Bruce Leech
Dan Lum, M.D., Secretary
Jean Moran
Jennifer Moran
Richard Moser, M.D.
Rev. Bob Oldershaw
Bud Sents, Treasurer
Anton Steinhart
Enrique Via-Reque, M.D., Medical Director
Sr. Donna Marie Wolowicki
Dan Yousif, M.D.

† Rev. Bob McLaughlin
† Deacon Jeff Shaw, R.N.

United States Staff
Juan Lorenzo Hinojosa, Ph.D. - Executive Director
Ann Rhomberg, M.S.W. - Associate Director
Christin Kirschenbaum, M.A. - Director of Philanthropy
Sarah Hinojosa, M.T.S. - Director of Parish Outreach
Jayleen Stolzenburg - Philanthropy Coordinator
Kira Folken - Operations Coordinator
Jodi Grahl - Latin America Coordinator

Bolivia Board of Directors
Carl Brockmann
Maria Eugenia Brockmann
Felipe Guzman
Juan Lorenzo Hinojosa
Norka Martinez
Juan Carlos Ramirez

Bolivia Staff
Carlos Laserna - Country Executive Director
José Choque - Cooperatives Coordinator / Medical Supply Coordinator
Beatriz Rojas - Santa Cruz Coordinator
María Inés Uriona - Social Worker
Carla Lorena Condo - Social Worker
Teresa Gutiérrez - Administrative Assistant
Laura Fuentes - Receptionist