Medical Supplies En Route To Nicaragua

Medical Supplies En Route to Nicaragua

At this moment, a 40-foot container stuffed with about $40,000 worth of medical supplies and equipment is on its way to Juigalpa, Ann Arbor's sister city in Nicaragua. It will go to Hospital Camilo Ortega Saavedra, a regional facility in Juigalpa that serves an area in centra! Nicarargua larger than the entire country of El Salvador. The shipment includes such critical items as surgical supplies, equipment for treating premature babies and infants suffering from diarrhea and dehydration, as well as basic medications and vitamins.

This shipment is the result of a cooperative effort by the Nicaragua Medical Aid Project, Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice, the Ann Arbor-Juigalpa Sister City Committee, and World Medical Relief, Inc. (WMR) of Detroit. WMR, a non-profit medical aid organization, collected the goods after reviewing an application from Juigalpa and meeting with Dr. Luna, director of the hospital. The Ann Arbor groups were responsable for the shipping costs (about $7,000), and with the help of the community were able to meet this obligation. The shipment is expected to reach Juigalpa in mid-October. Many thanks to those who helped make this truly significant act of peace and friendship possible.

Two delegation visits to Nicaragua are currently being organized. A religious delegation is planned for January 3 - 17. It may go to El Salvador as well as Nicaragua. It is not necessary to speak Spanish. A delegation is also being organized to be in Juigalpa during the election, February 16-27. People with experience in electoral processes and/or a working knowledge of Spanish are needed for this delegation. These trips typically cost about $1,200. Call Interfaith for an application: 663-1870.

Ann Arbor-Juigalpa Sister City Committee, P. O. Box 8198, Ann Arbor, Ml 48107.