Esperança (non-profit)

Esperança
Formation 1970[1]
Type NGO
Legal status 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Headquarters United States Phoenix, AZ
Location
  • Arizona (Phoenix)
President/CEO
 James Hoyt[2]
Staff
 11
Mission Improving health and providing hope for families in the poorest communities of the world through sustainable disease prevention, education and treatment.
Website http://www.esperanca.org

Esperança (non-profit), the Portuguese word for hope, is a registered 501(c)(3) based in Phoenix, AZ.[3][4] Founded in 1970 by Luke and Gerald Tupper. It currently operates programs in Nicaragua, Bolivia, Peru, Mozambique and Phoenix, Arizona.[5][6]

History

James Tupper, a recent graduate from the Medical College of Wisconsin, got his first look at medical deprivation and poverty in 1960 while traveling to Antarctica aboard a U.S. Navy ice-breaker.[7] The ship docked in Brazil. It was here where James was struck by those suffering from treatable diseases.[7]

When his military service was completed, he entered the Franciscan Order.[8] He chose the name Luke to reflect his dedication to serving those in need with his medical expertise.

Luke Tupper's Brother, Gerald Tupper, was a lawyer in Phoenix, AZ and formally incorporated Esperança into a non-profit in 1970. For the first 15 years Esperança operated out of a room in Gerald's law office.[9] Esperança moved to its permanent central Phoenix, AZ location in 1985.[10]

Project Areas

Volunteer Surgical Program

Medical missions are one the focuses of Esperança. Due to his training in the medical field, Luke Tupper focused on providing medical services to those in need. In 1972 Esperança purchased the Point Loma Ferry. The ship was originally used for transporting passengers to and from Southern California’s Coronado Island. Esperanca relocated the vessel to Brazil and it became a floating hospital providing treatment to the underserved.[11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Parts of the USS Bunker Hill (CV-17), a decommissioned aircraft carrier, were donated in order to convert the ship into a floating hospital.[18] The surgical program expanded into Bolivia in 1985 and terminated the program in 2014.[19][20][21][22]

Currently, the surgical program operates in Nicaragua.[23] Medical professionals volunteer their time to provide surgeries to communities in need.[24] The medical volunteers are general, plastic, orthopedic, gynecological and pediatric surgeons who conduct operations for patients. Volunteer surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses come from all over, procuring medical supplies for their mission and paying for their own airfare.[25]

Donated Medical Supplies

Each year, Esperança ships one container full of donated medical goods to its partner in Nicaragua for use in clinics and hospitals. Supplies are used by their surgical volunteer teams and distributed to hospitals in need in the region. They are donated by private individuals, partnerships with hospitals and medical companies.[26]

Phoenix Program

The Phoenix Program began in 1999 and currently provides health education on oral health, nutrition, fitness, and chronic disease management to uninsured and underinsured children and families.[27][28][29][30][31] Families are also referred to low-cost health resources and services. Education for adults includes evidence based curriculum informing community members on how to prepare healthy culturally appropriate meals.[32] In addition, a similar curriculum is in development for elementary aged children.[33]

Water and Sanitation

Recent water and sanitation projects have been developed with the assistance of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.[34]

Nutrition and Food Security

In 1977 Esperança moved from a curative approach to a preventive model of treatment. The program originated in Brazil and focused on nutrition, including education for mothers as well as recording the weight of their preschool aged children.[35] The program has since expanded to Nicaragua, Peru, Bolivia, and Mozambique.

Disease Prevention and Treatment

Esperança is currently working on the prevention and treatment of Chagas disease in Bolivia.[36]

Financial Accountability

Esperança currently has a four star rating by Charity Navigator.[37] The organization is currently funded through a combination of grants from private foundations and individual contributions. The United States Agency for International Development has also supported past projects. [38][39]

References

  1. ↑ Better Business Bureau. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  2. ↑ Esperança's GuideStar Page. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  3. ↑ Brennan, Bryna (Dec 15, 1982). "U.S. Based Orgaanization: Clinic Brings Hope to Amazon Villages". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  4. ↑ "IRS Exempt Organizations". Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  5. ↑ Drain, Paul; Huffman, Stephen A. (2008). Caring for the World: A Guidebook to Global Health Opportunities. University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division. p. 127. ISBN 0802095488.
  6. ↑ "Health and development non-profit expands work to Peru". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  7. 1 2 Fortney, David L. (November 1984). "The Legacy of Doctor Luke". Readers Digest.
  8. ↑ Final Report: Analysis of Community-Level Nutrition Programs (PDF) (Report). United States Agency for International Development. 1980.
  9. ↑ 1985 Congressional Record, Vol. 131, Page S6907 (May 23. 1985)
  10. ↑ "Gerald DeEsten Tupper Obituary". Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  11. ↑ Rick, Lanning (July 18, 1977). "On His Floating Hospital, Dr. Harry Owens Fights Disease ad Superstition Along the Amazon". People Magazine. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  12. ↑ Russell, Chandler (Jul 25, 1977). "Postscript: Old San Diego Ferry Now Vessel of Hope in Brazil’s Backwaters". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  13. ↑ Steve, Cahalan (Jan 10, 1983). "Doctor seeks volunteers". Herald & Review. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  14. ↑ "About Flagship Cruises & Events". http://www.flagshipsd.com. Retrieved 28 July 2015. External link in |website= (help)
  15. ↑ Murphy, William S. (May 15, 1972). "Old San Diego Ferry to Be Hospital Ship". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  16. ↑ Harrison, Cathleen (Dec 1991). "Perioperative Nursing on the Amazon River: an experience that made a difference". AORN Journal 54 (6): 1245–1250. ISSN 0001-2092. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  17. ↑ Dolan, William V. (Jan 1984). "Elective Surgery in a Rural Primary Medical Care Program in the Central Amazon Valley". JAMA 251 (4): 498–501. doi:10.1001/jama.1984.03340280048027. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  18. ↑ "Parts of Aged Carrier Given to Hospital Ship". Los Angeles Times. October 19, 1972. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  19. ↑ "Ferryboat to Become Amazon Hospital". The Milwaukee Journal. May 14, 1974. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  20. ↑ Ostrom, Carol M. (June 7, 1986). "Performing ‘Miracles’ in the Amazon". Seattle Times. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  21. ↑ Cohen, Beth (Dec 8, 2003). "Local physician travels to Bolivia". The Reporter News. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  22. ↑ James, Rebecca (August 3, 2008). "A Surgeon’s Mission – Orthopesdist Assists Bolivian Children". The Post-Standard. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  23. ↑ "Esperança Foundation: Jinotega, Nicaragua". Northern California Residency Programs-Global Health Blog.
  24. ↑ Marshall, Cecelia (July 29, 2012). "Twin-brother doctors aid needy in Nicaragua". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  25. ↑ "Valley doctor helps the poor in Nicaragua". azcentral.com. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  26. ↑ Tom Egan (April 2013). "Esperança Celebrates Stryker Sustainability Solutions as Largest Donor of Unused Medical Supplies". www.stryker.com. Stryker. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  27. ↑ Sherwoord, Robbie (Aug 1, 1999). "Putting Teeth in Vouchers Esperanca Helps Dental Referrals for Needy". Arizona Republic. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  28. ↑ Fimea, Mike (April 3, 2003). "Future of care in doubt for uninsured children". Arizona Republic. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  29. ↑ Shoyeb, Jacqueline (Jan 21, 2005). "Teaching Dental Hygiene to First Graders". Arizona Republic. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  30. ↑ "Grant Recipients". Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  31. ↑ "HIPMC: Community Initiatives and Resources". Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  32. ↑ Araiza, Christina; Valenzuela, Maria; Gance-Cleveland, Bonnie (19 Apr 2012). "Salud con Sabor Latino: a culturally sensitive obesity prevention curriculum in an underserved Latino community" 50 (2). Routledge: 51–60. doi:10.1080/14635240.2012.661963. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  33. ↑ Stevens, Carol (2011). Salud con Sabor para los Niños: A Feasibility Study (Ph.D.). Arizona State University.
  34. ↑ "Completed Project List". Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  35. ↑ Esperanca: A Program to Improve Health and Nutrition in the Central Amazon (PDF) (Report). Office of Nutrition: United States Agency for International Development. 1980.
  36. ↑ "Izumi Awards Esperança Grant to Reduce Vectoral Transmission of Chagas in the Tarijean Chaco, Bolivia". Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  37. ↑ "Charity Navigator - Esperança page". Charity Navigator. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  38. ↑ Esperanca: Human Resource Development for Health (PDF) (Report). USAID. 1997.
  39. ↑ A Wealth of Opportunity: Partnering with CORE and Group Members (PDF) (Report). Child Survival Collaborations and Resources Group. 2002.

External links

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