Solidarity Bridge and Puente de Solidaridad are two sides of the same coin, both promoting solidarity as central to who we are and why we do what we do.

Across five specialties, our U.S. missioners have been working with their Bolivian colleagues to learn from one another and collaborate in making life better for our patients and the wider community.

MSMT changes lives by providing specialized care that is otherwise unavailable to patients at rural Bolivian hospitals.

In order to truly enter into the work that brings us to Bolivia —the care of patients in need— we must be present, we must listen, and we must stand in solidarity with the patients and all who work so hard to give them life-transforming care.

Mission trips constitute only one aspect of our year-round work, but these visits provide unique opportunities to expand our minds and hearts.

Concluding our week in Cliza, Executive Director Ann Rhomberg cited the book of John (1:5): “The light shines in the darkness. And the darkness has not overcome it.” We are indebted to all the health workers in Cliza, in Bolivia, and throughout the world, who “continue to shine the light of healing care,” despite any darkness around us.

29-year-old Joselin lived for years with a benign but growing mass in her uterus. Pain from this issue had become debilitating, and her fertility was also threatened. Surgery was the only solution, but financial and logistical obstacles prevented Joselin from accessing care.

There is growing consensus that pre-travel preparation is one of the most important practices for a successful global health mission. This fall, we are offering our preparation curriculum via an online learning platform tailored to each team, specific to their host community and medical specialties.