Life-changing surgery.
Transformative mission.
Nearly one-third of the global disease burden stems from surgically treatable conditions. And while many global health initiatives focus on primary and preventative care, five billion people around the world still lack access to basic surgical services. Rooted in the tradition of Catholic social justice and a spirituality of solidarity, Solidarity Bridge seeks to respond to this concrete reality.
We work in partnership with the medical communities of Bolivia and Paraguay to increase access to safe, essential, and timely surgical care. With our partners, we operate four year-round surgical programs. Through year-round virtual exchanges and short-term medical mission trips, we connect US medical practitioners to their peers in each country. Together, we are building a healthier future.
SOLIDARITY
calls us to a deeper awareness that we are all interrelated and profoundly connected. As we forge deep connections with others, their sufferings and joys become part of our own personal concern and spur us to transformative action in the world.
Vision Statement
We seek a just, compassionate, and interdependent world, where the health needs of those most vulnerable are prioritized and medical professionals have the necessary resources to serve their communities.
Mission Statement
In a spirit of solidarity, we partner with communities in Bolivia and Paraguay to increase access to safe, affordable surgery and other essential health care.
Solidarity Family
We are connected with four other organizations who share our vision. Learn about our Solidarity Family.
Our Guiding Principles
Solidarity Bridge is rooted in the Catholic value of social justice. We welcome all regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, ability, or age. Our work is guided by these principles:
We uphold values of human dignity, solidarity, social justice, and the common good. We affirm that all people deserve to have the conditions necessary for health and well-being. We give priority to serving those who have limited resources and access to health care.
We promote relationships and encounters, with the belief that the human person is sacred. We see ourselves in one another, and through partnerships we create innovative solutions. We seek to create community, to promote authentic encounters, and to provide ongoing accompaniment.
We respect the needs raised by the host communities. In a spirit of humility and intercultural sensitivity, we promote mutual collaboration, horizontal dialogue and bidirectional learning. We promote decision making rooted in active listening and prayerful discernment.
We promote sustainable, transformative actions. We generate personal and community transformation which contribute to the construction of a more just and humane world. We work toward equity in healthcare by building capacity across medical teams, generating sustainable solutions that reduce systemic disparities and promote the autonomy of local actors.
We commit to upholding best practices in the field of global health. Staying connected to thought leaders and evidence based outcomes, we undertake careful preparation, ongoing evaluation, and public accountability for our actions.
