Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest Central American country by area with Honduras bordering on the North and Costa Rica on the South. It has an estimated population of just over 6.2 million covering a total area of just over 130,000 km2.
The country is broken into 15 “departments” or “districts” and 2 autonomous regions with the top four most populace departments being Managua (location of the capital), Matagalpa, Chinandega, and Leon.
It ranks among the poorest countries in Latin America. The World Food Program estimates that, as of 2021, almost a quarter of the population lives in poverty.
At present HOLA employs Ministry of Health (MINSA) approved OBGYNs to work at MINSA clinics in Chacraseca and La Leona. Leon is the closest major city to all of these locations, with travel times ranging from 30 minutes to an hour.
HOLA volunteer teams have participated in run spay/neuter and wellness clinics in the coastal community of Villa Del Carmen, Villa Guadalupe on the outskirts of Managua, and the city of Granada.
Our veterinary teams have also perfomed extensive work in the rural community of Miramar, located to the north of Leon.
Peru
This November we are looking to expand our operations to Peru! Dr Sara Mazzoni, is travelling to Peru to see and treat cervical dysplasia in the rural communities outside of Cusco and to pave the way for future residents to gain experience in working in the Peruvian healthcare system.
Dr Mazzoni will also be performing valuable needs assessment work that inform the expansion of HOLA's women's healthcare program and future volunteer trips to the region.
