VIDA is working with our long-time partner Fundacion FEDES, a Chilean NGO to distribute the supplies and equipment to hospitals and clinics operating in the city of Curicó and the Region of Maule.

VIDA sent its second and third container shipments to FEDES in June 2010 in collaboration with U.C. Berkeley's Haas School of Business Chilean Alumni Association, Quicksilver, and Cliff Bar.

The two containers contained over $2 million in medical supplies and equipment along with nutritional health bars and warm clothing. These shipments were sent to the southern coast of Chile that was devastated by the earthquake and tsunami.

Sauzal and seven other towns (Santo Toribio, Huerta de Maule, Nirivilo, Tapihue, Quella, Coronel del Maule, Posilla) were the beneficiaries. Sauzal had approximately 200 adobe buildings of which 90% were destroyed. These efforts have equipped Sauzal and other towns with medical supplies to prevent and overcome winter illnesses due to the weather and poor housing conditions. This VIDA project will be supporting Sauzal with a strong rural hospital to serve the regions poor.