GlobalGiving.org: Healthcare for Pregnant Women in Nicaragua

Clinica Verde: Open for Business!

Susan Dix Lyons — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:59:18 GMT

Clinica Verde waiting room.

Dear Awesome Supporters:

In the final weeks of January, our Board of Directors traveled together to Nicaragua for our annual meeting – and to see Clinica Verde open and serving patients. We wish you could have been there with us!

Between January 9 and 31, we served 837 patients: 624 women, 213 men, 231 children under the age of 9. Our Clinic Director, Jennifer Owen, reports that common concerns include bronchitis, pneumonia, dehydration and diabetes. We have a superb, committed staff in place on the ground and excellent leadership moving forward.

Said Owen: "I see evidence every day that we are making tangible changes in people's lives, and I see places where we can grow and improve every day. People are proud to be able to come to a facility like this, and people are very proud to work here. There is a really special kind of joy in coming to work every day, confident that you have a stellar staff in place that is committed to achieving the mission of Clinica Verde in a measurable way. We have a lot of work ahead of us, and that is going to require a lot of resources. But I know we are doing something that matters, and I know we have the right team in place. That's a pretty great place to be in, one month into operations."

Thank you for believing in Clinica Verde and our work to create a new model of care for families living in poverty. Clinica Verde belongs to the community, but it is there because of people like you.

Please don't hesitate to contact me personally if you have questions or ideas for our work in the world.

Saludos,

Susan

susan@clinicaverde.org

Links:

Short video about our clinic opening. (By Brian Capener)

Training Day!

Susan Dix Lyons — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:51:35 GMT

Training Day at Clinica Verde in Boaco, Nicaragua.

Dear Awesome Supporters:

On Friday, Dec. 16, Clinica Verde held a training day for all of its new employees. I delivered a welcome and congratulation to the team in Nicaragua via Skype at 6:30 a.m. Pacific and our leaders on the ground took over from there – doing an superb job orienting the group to the work ahead.

Our employee manual and job descriptions were distributed and reviewed, and Dr. Incer led a presentation that reviewed our mission and goals, standards of care and service, protocols, and the spirit and culture of excellence we expect to impart from Day 1.

Local staff from the Ministry of Health joined the group for lunch and got to know the team and our goals, while discussing ministry requirements and expectations. We look forward to partnering with local government agencies so that we can support each other's goals.

Our new Director, Jennifer Owen, helped to organize and oversee the day, doing the fabulous work we've grown to realize is second nature to her. We are thrilled to announce that Jennifer has agreed to serve in Boaco for a full year to help lead our services and develop our organization on the ground at this critical stage of our growth. She is a blessing beyond anything we imagined.

Thank you so much for your continued commitment to our work in the world. Clinica Verde belongs to the community and each of you who have supported it, and we feel a great responsibility to serve all of our constituents with excellence, determination and respect.

As I reminded our team on Friday morning, we are servants to the poor. I shared these words from Peter Drucker: "Rank doesn't confer privilege or power. It imposes responsibility." Ours is to care for impoverished women and children with professionalism and love.

We wish all of you a holiday season filled with health and hope.

Gratefully,

Susan

Links:

www.clinicaverde.org

Moving Forward!

Susan Dix Lyons — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 01:49:24 GMT

Job Applicants at Clinica Verde.

Dear Global Giving Supporters:

Just a quick note to check in with you and let you know how we're progressing! In October we received our permit to operate from the Ministry of Health of Nicaragua and we're moving forward with the formal process of hiring and official clinic opening. The photo features a picture of job applicants in our clinic waiting room. Our interview team was very impressed by the quality and attitude of nurses and health professionals who applied!

We're eager to open our doors but want to give a lot of thought and consideration to our choices and preparation. We've worked so hard and persistently for these past few years and the next few steps in our journey are essential to our success. We hope to be the best-run clinic in all of Nicaragua – and know that this will be another great challenge. We are up for it!

This week, as you gather with your families and think of the many blessings in your lives, know that we are giving thanks for you. Thank you for believing in our vision to provide health and hope to women and children living in poverty. You are more important to us than you could ever know.

Gratefully,

Susan

On the Ground in Nicaragua ...

Susan Dix Lyons — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:15:42 GMT

Children from Empalme de Boaco, Nicaragua.

Dear Clinica Verde Supporters:

As we work to raise awareness and support in the U.S., a lot of activity is taking place in Nicaragua. Our dedicated team in Managua and Boaco are working hard to keep our project moving forward. Here are some highlights of our progress:

• The American Nicaraguan Foundation inspected the clinic on Oct. 4 to approve us for receiving medications and support through their incredible foundation. We are so grateful for the time and consideration of this wonderful organization. Read more about ANF here: http://www.aidnicaragua.org/en/

• The Ministry of Health of Nicaragua is scheduled to visit and inspect the clinic within the next couple of weeks.

• Recommended personnel are being reviewed by our legal rep in Nicaragua, Rafael Morales, and Clinica Verde Board Vice-Chair, Dr. Elquis Castillo.

• Former Minister of Health of Nicaragua and CV Board Member Margarita Gurdian is in Nicaragua following an assignment with USAID in Angola, and is meeting with officials and CV team members to review goals and action items prior to clinic opening. Thanks to Margarita for her awesome help and support moving us forward!

• CV volunteer Jennifer Owen is in Boaco for the month of July helping with clinic setup. Meet Jennifer below!

• In September, we finished our most recent short video about our wonderful project. Please see the link below to watch.

We are moving forward!

Meet Jennifer Owen ...

This month Clinica Verde in Boaco welcomes volunteer Jennifer Owen, who will spend October helping out on the ground in Nicaragua. Jennifer is an attorney practicing in clean energy technologies and energy policy. She served at the Department of Energy as Director of the Office of Technology Advancement and Outreach in DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and was a Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT) and a staff member on the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Says Jennifer: "As an advocate for clean energy technologies in the U.S., I am excited to see Clinica Verde demonstrate sustainable building in a real world scenario. I hope to help the clinic move forward to opening, and provide whatever help I can. The mission of the clinic is so important - I feel very blessed to have an opportunity to meet the people of Boaco and support Clinica Verde!"

We are honored to have Jennifer's commitment and support!

And we are honored to have yours.

Thanks for your continued support of Clinica Verde! As always, please feel free to email me personally if you have any questions or ideas concerning our work in the world.

Abrazos,

Susan

Clinica Verde volunteer Jennifer Owen.

Links:

Our Equipment Arrives!

Susan Dix Lyons — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:08:36 GMT

Hello, Awesome Supporters:

We are happy to report to you that after a long (!!) delay in Nicaragua customs our shipment of medical supplies and equipment has arrived at Clinica Verde and has been inventoried by our Medical Director Dr. Armando Incer. Things look good, and we’re eager to unpack it all and get things in their place so that we can continue moving forward!

We’d like to recognize and thank IMEC for organizing and arranging the entire shipment for Clinica Verde. IMEC is a volunteer-based organization whose mission is to provide doctors in developing countries with quality medical equipment to improve health care for the poor. IMEC has worked with over 60 humanitarian organizations to revitalize hundreds of existing, impoverished hospitals with donated surplus medical equipment and supplies that are organized into complete medical departments, delivering them to over 70 countries around the world. They made the job of equipping our clinic efficient and highly organized in ways that helped us to conserve both time and resources. A special thanks also to Clinica Verde board members/volunteers Dr. Mary Huber and Don Farrar for identifying and coordinating with this world-class charitable organization.

Thanks, as always, for hanging in there with us! Sometimes things move slower than we'd like, but there's always forward progress – thanks to your faith and commitment to our work in the world.

Hope you're having a great summer.

Warm regards,

Susan

Links:

Hear our story!

Question: What is $15 To You?

Susan Dix Lyons — Thu, 05 May 2011 05:17:46 GMT

Gracias!

Dear Excellent Supporters:

What do you do with $15 a month? It's a cheese pizza, 4 lattes, 2 movie tickets.

You've supported Clinica Verde in the past – now I'd like to ask you to stick with us moving forward as we work to bring health and hope to women and children living in poverty. Sign up to be a recurring donor to our project. For only $15 a month you can help to change the life of a child or mother in Nicaragua. And we need you now more than ever.

We've spent the past three years building our environmentally sustainable clinic and working with our Nicaraguan partners in the community to develop a compassionate, whole health approach to healthcare for the impoverished. Now, clinic construction is done and we're preparing for clinic operations. It's an exciting – and vital – time in the life of our project. Help us to continue to move forward.

Your support will help us to provide prenatal and postnatal care to mothers at Clinica Verde.

This month Global Giving is devoting special focus and resources to encourage compassionate people like you to commit to the work you believe in on a recurring basis. By signing up for a recurring donation now, you can help us get an additional $1,500 through GlobalGiving’s Recurring Donation Campaign! We need at least ten new recurring donations before Friday, May 20 in order to be eligible for additional grants between $500 and $1500.

It's super easy to sign up here: http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/health-care-for-pregnant-women/ Just click the "Monthly Recurring" tab below the large orange “donate” button.

To make it fun, anyone who signs up as a recurring donor in May of 2011 will enter our Raffle for 1 second generation iPod Touch (32 GB), a $50 iTunes card, an Apple ball cap, and an "I visited the Mothership" Apple T-shirt.

Help us to continue the good work we do in the world. As always, I welcome you to contact me personally at any time with questions about our project.

Thanks so much for your generosity and consideration.

Susan

Farewell, Sr. Siman ...

Susan Dix Lyons — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 14:47:23 GMT

Johny Siman

We've been lucky to have Juan Jorge Siman ("Johny") serve as our project manager and all-around man-on-the-ground in Nicaragua. He had a big and challenging job overseeing construction of the clinic, while keeping up with those of us in California who expected him to be there for us 24/7 – even if it interfered with his World Cup games. (Go, Madrid!) Johny knows how to get things done. Clinica Verde is a reflection of his perseverance, smart negotiating skills, and hard work. We grew to love him and will truly miss working with him. (P.S. Johny, please stop smoking.)

Here, some parting words from the man himself ...

What has it been like working for Clinica Verde these past couple years?

Being part of the Clinica Verde Team has been a much enriched and challenging experience. With all the ups and downs, natural to any project, we were able to carry out our goals and build Clinica Verde the way it was intended with all its features that will make this project unique. I would have to confess that when I was presented with the project I didn´t think we would be able to carry it out. Yet, I took on the challenge and the project took its course.

What about Clinica Verde stands out to you?

Clinica Verde has so many things that make it stand out. The holistic approach to healthcare and education, the ecological design, the cooling of the building with natural air instead of electricity, the natural sunlight that illuminates all the areas of the building, the classroom for education on nutrition, prenatal and postnatal care, etc.

But if I have to pick out one thing that stands out the must, it would have to be the people involved in the project: Susan, Tim, Peter, Vikki, Ken, Kathryn, Dennis, Mary, Bill, Don, Joan, Elquis, Rafael. I believe that the success of any venture is due to the people that are in charge of making the decisions. The team of Clinica Verde is much diversified and has lots of experience on social projects. And even though each person is assigned a specific field of the project, everybody is involved on the decisions of the project. John D. Rockefeller once said that an extraordinary person is just an ordinary person that does something extra. I believe that the members of the board of Clinica Verde are ordinary people doing something extra for the people of Boaco. That’s why I think that this is the aspect of Clinica Verde that stands out the most and the reason Clinica Verde will be a success.

What is your hope and dream for our project?

I hope that once the Clinic opens up, that the people of Boaco understand and appreciate all the effort going into this project from so many people. That they understand that Clinic is theirs. That they know that we don’t expect anything from them except to help them mitigate poverty by having quality healthcare available to them. My dream is that this project can extend to other parts of Nicaragua or other countries.

Any parting words?

Even though I’m not physically there, it does not mean that I am not there. Clinica Verde will always be a part of me and I always support the project, whether I am in Nicaragua, El Salvador, the United States or any other part of the world.

Message for Johny: No fumar!

Check Out the Clinic!

Susan Dix Lyons — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 21:09:59 GMT

Clinica Verde, Jan. 22

Dear Supporters:

We just returned from our Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors in Nicaragua. It was a great trip! We got a lot done in committee and were able to celebrate just how far we've come in the past few years. One of the things that makes working on Clinica Verde especially rewarding and meaningful, is the group of talented individuals who have served on our board since the project's inception. These people put in a lot of time, all on their own time. They're busy, talented professionals who believe in the vision of Clinica Verde and have made it happen. Clinica Verde as you see it in these photos – beautiful! – reflects their dedication. So, thank you: Peter Stanley, Dr. Mary Huber, Dennis de Vreede, Don Farrar, Bill Bylund (architect), Dr. Elquis Castillo, Dr. Tim Lyons, Rafael Rios, Cristiana Chamorro, Margarita Gurdian, Ken Weeman and Dr. Ramiro Lopez.

The clinic looks amazing, and we were all so proud to be there together to see it nearly complete.

Although there is still some work to be done on the building, we had a blessing ceremony at the clinic officiated by Monsenor Juan Francisco Moreira, and well attended by members of the community, the past and present mayors of Boaco (where we are building), Nicaraguan supporters and press, and interested parties – including children from one of the nearby villages who had a good time running through the bright hallways and spaces where they will hopefully one day go for clinical care and attention. Our message was clear: This clinic is yours. When you walk through the archway and enter the space, we want you to know how special and loved you are. We worked hard to create an environment that not only conserved resources but would feel welcoming, healthy, hopeful and respectful of the dignity of each patient we serve. It is our great honor to serve the needy in this community.

Now, we're beginning the important and challenging work of clinic operations. Your support is more important than ever!! Please share our work with friends and family and continue to support our vision of bringing health and hope to women and children living in poverty. If you know of any organizations or individuals who might be interested in supporting us further, let us know. You are forever a part of our work in the world!

Saludos,

Susan

Enter!

The Building is Nearly Done ... !

Susan Dix Lyons — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 15:50:39 GMT

The Men Who Built Clinica Verde

Dear Global Giving Supporters:

Soon, I'll have some exciting new photos of our completed clinic building. Our construction team in Nicaragua is working hard to do the finishing work and paint the building this week, and our Board of Directors is preparing to meet in Nicaragua for our Annual Meeting. Things are looking great!

In the meantime, I wanted to share with you a photograph of the men from the community who have built Clinica Verde. They have done wonderful work, creating a sustainable clinic that they can be proud of for decades to come.

Thanks again for being a force for good in the world. The walls of our clinic will forever be a testament of your compassion and decency.

Saludos,

Susan

A simple message: Thank you.

Susan Dix Lyons — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 19:53:52 GMT

Construction progress

Dear Supporters:

I just want to wish all of you a happy holiday season and say thank you. Thank you for being a compassionate person. Thank you for having a generous spirit. Thank you for being the kind of human being who improves and strengthens the world.

I hope you have a beautiful holiday filled with love, family and friendship. You have contributed to our work to change the lives of those living in poverty. You are a light in the dark.

Gratefully,

Susan Dix Lyons

p.s. Some new photos below. We hope to complete construction of our environmentally sustainable health clinic for women and children in January!

Gracias!

Construction Progress ...

Susan Dix Lyons — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:59:56 GMT

Clinica Verde, November 2010

Hi, Awesome Supporters:

Just wanted to give you a brief update on our construction progress. The roof is on and we're moving towards construction completion by the end of this year. Photos below!

As Thanksgiving approaches, I want to thank each of your for your compassion and support. You are so important to the success of our work in the world. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends and know that we at Clinica Verde are especially thankful for you.

Warm regards,

Susan

Links:

http://www.clinicaverde.org/contact.html

Field visitor in Nicaragua

Mark Skeith — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 19:37:08 GMT

While interning for a U.S. foreign aid program in western Nicaragua this summer, I was able to escape my office cubicle for a day and travel up to the department of Boaco to check out Clinica Verde’s construction site and meet some of its future staff. I was accompanied by the clinic’s Project Manager, Johny Siman, whose love of football provided us with immediate and ample grounds to get to know each other over a Uruguay vs. Germany World Cup match over lunch in Managua before heading out to the site.

First, Johny drove me around the department, pointing out some of the other projects he has been involved with over the years. After driving by housing projects, schools, and baseball fields that he built, it was clear that he has been involved in this kind of work for many years. More importantly, after bumping into so many so-called “white elephant” programs plopped in Nicaraguan communities by international aid agencies, it was refreshing to see that local people were still finding these facilities useful to this day. It was also very promising to hear Johny recount some of his experiences using contacts to navigate his way through the Nicaraguan Government’s tedious and, at times, paralyzing regulations. Even before I saw Clinica Verde, I was confident that a non-profit with such local knowledge and expertise is building this with good reason and in a way that actually serves the public need in a sustainable fashion.

We eventually arrived to the Clinica Verde construction site itself, on the outskirts of the Boaco department’s capital of the same name, where I found that my predictions about the project were, in fact, very true. It was a tricky project visit in a way because the clinic is currently just a collection of cinderblocks, steel rebar, and wooden beams arranged in a way that basically meant nothing to me, given my dearth of knowledge in anything related to construction, architecture, and engineering. But, it was my conversations with Johny and the clinic’s Medical Director, Dr. Armando Incer, which shed light on some of the details of the project and the comprehensive set of benefits that will be afforded future patients. For example, it is obviously fantastic that Clinica Verde will offer maternity care to over 80 women daily as well as family planning services to many more (especially considering there are currently only 3 OBGYN clinics for 150,000 people living in Boaco!), but the clinic will also offer other essential functions, such as cooking classes, a demonstration kitchen, and an organic garden offered to encourage hygiene and nutrition diversification in community households. For the sake of sustainability, the clinic will also draw its power from solar panels and water from an underground rainwater cistern.

Dr. Incer also described how dire the current situation is for women in rural parts of Boaco seeking such maternity services, given how under-resourced and over-stressed the Boaco central hospital is. With a growing population and better road access, more and more families (try to) pour into the hospital every year, and after years of extremely low pay and insufficient medical supplies, the Ministry of Health nurses that staff the hospital seem to have become disenchanted with the whole medical system, as well as any patients that enter for services. Furthermore, with the recent politicization of medical services (as well as almost any other public service offered by the Nicaraguan government), Boaco hospital’s administration and doctors will inevitably be chosen according to their political affiliation and not their qualifications. Therefore, given the state of medical services in Boaco and the high mortality rates among rural women in the department, the privately-operated Clinica Verde clinic will fill a critical medical service gap by targeting the very women who need services most and by selecting employees that can best meet their needs.

On the return journey to Nicaragua’s capital, Managua, Johny provided a very telling (and amusing) description of the state of affairs in Nicaragua: “Donde el plomo flota y el corcho se hunde” (Where the lead floats and the cork sinks). After spending this summer working with development programs in Nicaragua, I have come to realize how valuable local knowledge can be in such a setting in fulfilling the needs of the poor when no one else will. With your support, the vision of Clinica Verde can move ever towards being a reality for the families of Boaco, Nicaragua.

Construction Update, September 2010

Susan Dix Lyons — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 20:47:24 GMT

Construction, front view

Hey, Global Giving Supporters:

Just checking in to share some of the latest photos of construction. Things continue to move forward, despite record rains in August. Locals shared with me that it had been the rainiest August in 100 years! Nonetheless, the building site looked great, and we're still looking at a completion date around the end of November.

Also this month, the Nicaraguan American Medical Association put together an AWESOME fund-raising party for us in Miami. We are extraordinarily grateful for the support of this worthy group, and hope it's the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership.

Here on the West Coast, we're planning our first big fund-raising event for Sunday, October 3, at Solage Resort in Calistoga, California. It's going to be a great event. You can check out our Live and Silent Auction Lots on the links below.

We're working hard to raise funds to equip and operate the clinic. Your support means the world to us! Thanks for your interest in our work, and for your compassion.

Saludos, Susan

Links:

Q-and-A: Why Clinica Verde?

Susan Dix Lyons — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:41:29 GMT

Margarita Gurdian

An Interview with Clinica Verde Board Member and Former Minister of Health Margarita Gurdian.

Margarita Gurdian was Minister of Health of Nicaragua from 2004-2007. During that time she was in charge of the management of 1076 health units, 25,000 employees and a budget of $182 million US per year. She led the planning process for a National Health Policy for 2004-2015, a 5-year health plan and the Health Comprehensive Model of Care. She is currently doing work in Angola. Margarita received her B.A. in Latin American Studies at the University of California, Riverside, and an M.A. in Latin American Studies with a major in Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Q: How did you become involved with Clinica Verde?

A: After I left my post as Minister of Health I had a meeting with Susan Dix Lyon and Cristiana Chamorro, to see how could the effort that had started with Susan and her husband helping the Hospital in Boaco, could continue and help provide health quality services to a population with very few resources and a high rate of pregnancy in adolescents. Susan started organizing from scratch and her energy and motivation gave life to the project. I could not step aside. Susan's family was working so hard, the Board was enthusiastic and the proposed project to be a Green Clinic was an innovative, healthy and a tremendous challenge. Nicaragua is very lucky to have friends as Susan's family and all of the Board members.

Q: What about the project attracted you?

A: The fact that it does not matter where you are or if you are in the public or private sector, there is always a possibility of continuing supporting communities with very little resources in Nicaragua and try to provide quality health services as well as working on a healthy project that could be a model not only for Nicaragua but for other countries and communities as well. Also to work with a group of people whose only interest is doing good for people who need health services.

Q: As the former Minister of Health, what do you think Nicaragua's biggest challenge is in terms of improving healthcare for the impoverished?

A: I think that this is a challenge in we are all responsible for. All sectors must contribute to improving health care in our communities and in the country. A healthy population is a key determinant to development. Between 60-80% of the illnesses we have in Nicaragua are preventable. But also there are different factors that need improvement: one is budget. Nicaragua has people very well trained. Being in a country in Africa I can see the enormous difference in the availability of trained resources but the conditions in the rural areas in Nicaragua for trained professionals are not the best, therefore there is a migration of these more specialized human resources to the capital or bigger cities. Payment or salaries to attract health professionals are not high enough to keep them in the rural areas.

Another factor is attitude: if we put ourselves in the shoes of the people we are caring for, even if there are not enough drugs, equipment, people will feel that the provider is doing everything he or she can for them to feel better.

Q: Nicaragua has the highest rates of adolescent fertility in Latin America. What do you attribute this to and what can be done to change this number?

A: According to the DHL 50% of women under 19 are pregnant or already have a baby. Lack of information to youngsters at the schools and at home is a big part. Empower young women and work with them on alternative programs addressed to young women and men in a friendly and respectful environment where they can ask and receive answers to their concerns, their doubts and provide them with accurate information.

Q: Why should people in other parts of the world support Clinica Verde?

A: Clinica Verde is an innovative concept on how to provide quality health care, a holistic approach where you do not only see the individual that comes to the clinic looking for care but you work with the community, see the individual as part of a family and of a community. And this is a model that follows all norms and regulations to be friendlier with the environment and provide a sense of pride to the communities that will serve.

Links:

Learn more about our work.

Check out our cistern!

Susan Dix Lyons — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:06:01 GMT

Clinica Verde's cistern

Hi, Global Giving Supporters:

I just got back from a trip to Nicaragua and wanted to share with you this photo of our awesome cistern. The cistern is located at the core of our building and will collect rainwater that we'll use to help support our water needs in the clinic.

We're working hard to move the project forward. Fund-raising is always the toughest part, so help us spread the word. Thanks again for your support – and feel free to contact me any time with your questions!

All the best, Susan

Links:

www.clinicaverde.org

Construction continues, the walls are going up!

Susan Dix Lyons — Wed, 12 May 2010 20:23:08 GMT

Walls!

Hey, Global Giving Supporters:

Just a brief update to let you know we continue to move forward. Construction continues, and the walls are going up. If all goes according to plan we're still on track to complete construction by November of this year. However, we still need about $30K more to get us to the finish line. Spread the word and keep us in mind!

For a more complete update of our status, clink on the link to our May newsletter.

Keep in mind that you can often double your donations by getting your company to match yours. Many employees don't realize that their companies have this process in place, and these matching funds can have a huge impact on our work! Check with your company or place of work to see if they offer this option! And contact me at any time if you have ideas of your own.

Thank you for believing in us.

Abrazos, Susan

Links:

Our May newsletter.

Construction Update, March 2010

Susan Dix Lyons — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 11:53:55 GMT

Land site, March

Hi, Global Giving Supporters:

Just checking in to provide you with an update on our construction. As you can see from the photo, things are moving forward. We've got a great team on the ground in Nicaragua! Our Vice-Chair and Project Development Master, Peter Stanley, is going down on April 10 to meet with the team and check progress.

We're also in the stages of planning a medical mission trip in advance of clinic opening sometime in early August.

We've raised 90% of our construction goal but still need about $60K to complete the budget! We could really use your help! Spread the word, share our story with your friends, family and co-workers, contact me if you know of any foundations or companies who might be interested in our work, and pray for our continued forward progress.

Our supporters are the foundation of Clinica Verde. Your love and compassion is the fuel of our good work – and we are extremely grateful for each and every one of you.

All the best, Susan

Links:

Saunter Wines Helps CV!

Construction Begins!

Susan Dix Lyons — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:06:13 GMT

CV Superintendent Miguel Zapata (far left) and team members.

Hi, Global Giving Supporters!

Good news. Construction has begun on our land site in Nicaragua. We've hired an excellent project superintendent and feel confident with our Nica team. At this point, we expect a 10-month construction schedule, which takes us to late fall of 2010. Thanks for your continued support and interest. I can't tell you how important you are to us!

We still need to raise about $60,000 to complete basic construction, so spread the word! And please feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions about our work.

Abrazos, Susan

Best wishes and blessings for the New Year

Susan Dix Lyons — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:45:16 GMT

Thank you for your support!

Dear Awesome Supporters:

As the year comes to a close, many of you will be thinking about who to support with your end-of-year donations. We ask that you please consider Clinica Verde.

In late January, we plan to begin construction on our environmentally sustainable health clinic for women and children living in poverty. We've spent the past 2 1/2 years designing, refining and working to build support for this plan, and we're proud of it. But most of all we're excited for the day that Clinica Verde will open its doors to the rural population of Nicaragua to provide health and opportunity to families in need.

We hope that you will continue to be a part of our vision and good work in the world. We need about $70,000 to complete construction.The economy has made fund-raising more difficult than ever, so your contribution is vital. Please help us to reach our goal!

We are deeply grateful for each and every one of you. Happy New Year – and thanks for your belief and commitment to our work.

Gratefully,

Susan Dix Lyons Peter Stanley Donald E. Farrar Dennis de Vreede Kenneth B. Weeman Dr. Timothy Lyons Dr. Mary Huber Bill Bylund Rafael Rios Dr. Elquis Castillo Dr. Ramiro Lopez Margarita Gurdian Cristiana Chamorro

The families of Boaco, Nicaragua

Our Annual Meeting in Granada, Nicaragua

Susan Dix Lyons — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:54:35 GMT

Thank you for supporting Clinica Verde.

Hi, Supporters:

I'm checking in with you again to provide a quick update of our progress. In November, we held our third annual meeting of the board in Granada, Nicaragua. It was a great, productive trip! I'm attaching a copy here of the Chairman's report that I delivered to the group.

A couple of brief updates from that meeting:

• We pushed our construction start date to January 2010 to give us time to do some additional fine-tuning to the plan. If all goes according to expectations, that should take us to a completion date of October 2010. Spread the word and help us gain support!

• We are very pleased to add to our Board of Directors Dennis de Vreede of Amsterdam, Netherlands. Dennis is currently CFO of the international real estate development company REDEVCO and has been an Advisor to Clinica Verde during the past year. Dennis has been a tremendous asset to our project, spreading the word and cultivating interest in our work outside of Latin America and the U.S. He'll be helping us with the financial side of Clinica Verde and heading up development in Europe. Welcome, Dennis!

In addition to the design and construction work that's taking place, we're working hard to raise $60K more to complete clinic construction. We could really use your help and support! Please let me know if you have any ideas.

Thanks again for being such stalwart supporters. I am so very grateful for you!

All the best, Susan Dix Lyons

Attachments:

CV Chairman's Report, Annual Meeting of the Board 2009 (DOC)

Back from Nicaragua

Susan Dix Lyons — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:45:32 GMT

Hi, People:

Just got back from a trip to Nicaragua a week ago. At this stage we're waiting for our Nicaraguan architect to complete his final drawings so we can put the work for the next stages out to bid. Things are looking good, but we need your support more than ever!

I'm posting a photo of some friends from the village of Empalme de Boaco. The family featured lives in the home in the background – one bed for 8 people and a hammock for the baby, who was sleeping inside. Most of the children sleep on the dirt floor, which, in rainy season (now!) seeps with water. You can imagine the health issues this brings up.

Thanks, as always, for your invaluable support!

Hasta pronto, Susan

Update on the Land Site!

Susan Dix Lyons — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:11:06 GMT

Just checking in to share the latest news on the site! As you can see from the photo, the land site is now filled with select material and we're ready to move forward. I'm going to Nicaragua this week to check in on the progress.

On the U.S. front, I continue to work hard at raising funds and interest. Please continue to share our work with your friends!

Thanks again for your generous support.

Saludos, Susan

Filling the site!

Susan Dix Lyons — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 13:31:10 GMT

Filling it up

Hola, Supporters!

Just want to share with you the latest view of our construction site. The laborers have completed digging and have been filling the site with select material, dirt that will give solid compacting. Looks good, huh?

Thanks for your continued support. You are essential to our progress! Share our work with your friends and family so that we can meet our financial goal!

Hope you're having a great summer.

Susan

Going deeper!

Susan Dix Lyons — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:36:11 GMT

Hey, Awesome Supporters:

Just wanted to give you a quick look at our progress. As you can see, we're digging deep to build a strong foundation! This photo was taken on June 12.

Keep spreading the word about our project! Your support is so vital to us!

Saludos, Susan

Moving dirt!

Susan Dix Lyons — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:42:47 GMT

Grading the site for the clinic.

Hi, Global Giving Supporters:

Just want to give you a quick update on the work that's happening on the site! Our project manager has hired a couple of engineers to do the "dirt work," which includes removing about 830 cubic meters of ground and replacing it with 638 cubic meters of filling material. This includes the areas of the parking lot, streets and vendors booths. Check out the photo!

On the homefront, we're working hard to raise the money necessary to complete clinic construction. We still have a way to go: $150,000! If you know anyone who can help us get there, let me know!

Thanks so much for your support. You rock.

Saludos, Susan

Gracias!

Susan Dix Lyons — Wed, 20 May 2009 23:48:13 GMT

Our Nicaraguan team at the April ground-breaking.

Hi, Global Giving supporters!

I want to thank each of you for donating to Clinica Verde through Global Giving. We met our goal of 50 unique donors and $3,000, so we can keep an active page on this site. Hopefully, we'll continue to attract new donors and meet this project's short term goal of $10,000 to help cover the costs of an exam room. We need to raise $100K more to complete clinic construction! Please email me directly if you're not already on the list for our e-newsletter!

Thanks for helping us bring health and hope to families in need.

Saludos, Susan