About Us

Our Mission

The Sangre de Cristo Health Care Project embraces Service as its primary reason for being, and holds as its mission to:

  • IDENTIFY in solidarity with communities of limited resources.

  • PROMOTE the human dignity of each person.

  • CREATE an integrated health care system, with the following levels:

    • Educational Level: To create, promote and collaborate in those programs which focus on formation and education in personal and environmental health issues both in the local communities we serve and with the Project staff.

    • Preventative Level: To develop and implement preventative services which relate to personal and environmental health concerns in the local communities we serve, giving special emphasis to mothers, infants and school age children.

    • Curative Level: To offer accesible medical and dental services to the local communities we serve, as well as laboratory and pharmacy services at a reduced cost.

  • SHARE the fruits of love, peace, faith and hope that comes from God.



History

1990

Father Rafael Gama, S.J. opens a medical clinic at the Catholic Church in La Laguneta, Guatemala to serve the poor families of that area.

1995

In October, the Catholic Parish of the Blood of Christ assumes responsibility for the clinic under the administration of Sister Dani Brought, ASC and the Sangre de Cristo Health Project is founded.

1996
A year of rapid growth and development as the Project expands to include five medical clinics, each with a community pharmacy, a dental clinic, a laboratory and programs that include health education, vaccinations, eye surgeries and environmental health and sanitation.
1997
A year to stabilize existing services and to establish coordination with other government and non-government organziations. Under the direction of Dr. Margo Young, CPPS the Project starts the Health Promoter Program. In September the Project receives legal status as a non-government, not-for-profit organization in Guatemala.
1998
The Project expands its outreach programs of prevention and education in health and sanitation providing services in 21 primary schools in the area. In November, the Project begins an integrated response to the needs of three new communities that were relocated to the area after the devastating effects of Hurricane Mitch.
1999
Opened a new clinic and pharmacy in one of the resettlement communities for victims of Hurricane Mitch. At the same time we transferred the administration of another clinic to the control of the local Catholic parish in San Pedro Ayampuc.
2000
Celebrated fifth anniversary of the Project, and redefined the Project mission statement. Also conducted our first Surgery Campaign, with the help of volunteers from Dayton, Ohio, USA.
2001
Our Enivronmental Health and Sanitation program experienced rapid growth and expansion. Greater focus placed on continuing education for Project team members.
2002

Pope John Paul II visits Guatemala to canonize Hermano Pedro, and the Project participates on the National Health Committee and provides health care services on that day. Also opened a new clinic in Nueva Esperanza.

2003 The Juan Bautista Gutierrez Foundation named the Sangre de Cristo Health Care Project as one of the top not-for-profit health/educational organizations in Guatemala. From a field of 139 participants in the Foundation's annual "Helping Those Who Help" program, we were awarded third place, which in addition to the national recognition also included a generous monetary donation to help continue the services of the Project. On May 18, 2003, the Sangre de Cristo Health Care Project, along with the Maria De Mattias Secondary School Institute, celebrated here in La Labor, the canonization occurring in Rome, Italy of Saint Maria De Mattias, foundress of the religious congregation, Adorers of the Blood of Christ.

Legal Organization


The Project is registered with the Guatemalan government as a not-for-profit organization (Proyecto de Salud Sangre de Cristo, S.C.), and is governed by a Board of Directors, whose members are as follows::

Sister Dani Brought, ASC, President and Legal Representative
Dr. Margo Young, CPPS, Vice President
Edwin Muralles, Treasurer
PEM Vidalia Xicol de López, Secretary
Father William Beuth, CPPS, Member-at-large
Ana Elizabeth Oliva, Member-at-large
Dr. Monica Ovalle, Member-at-large



Click here to learn more about the Services we provide


 



Sister Dani Brought, ASC, Administrative Director
and
Dr. Margo Young, CPPS,
Medical Director 1996-2007
Initiators, animators, encouragers
of the Health Care Project

 


"Working in the Project makes me feel like I have meaning in my life and I think that I am doing the will of God. This work gives me the opportunity to help my neighbor and to serve those with greater needs, so that all will realize that God exists and loves us."

-- Carlos Perez Catalan, Driver and Administrative Aide in the Project

 

Carlos Perez Catalan