World Pediatric Project

• We don’t like to keep beating this drum, but have you wondered how the Twins, Maria and Teresa, came to us?  They were a gift from the World Pediatric Project.

When you look at the vision of World Pediatric Project, it seems pretty simple and noble: “Every child, regardless of geography, will have access to quality, critical care so that they can live full and productive lives.”  They also declare, “Geography doesn’t have to be the reason a child lives or dies.”

Huzzah!

The World Pediatric Project is much more than just bringing kids to doctors;  they send medical teams to Central America and the Caribbean to diagnose and treat sick children.  They help develop local programs in these areas to improve the overall health of the children and to also train local physicians and nurses.  In extremely critical cases, they partner children with doctors in the United States who are better equipped to meet their needs.

The Project started in 2001 when Richmonder Dr. Julian Metts went on a medical mission.  While out of the country, he saw many children sick and dying simply because they didn’t have access to quality critical care.  He partnered with the South Richmond Rotary Club to start International Hospital for Children.  They merged with another non-profit last March and World Pediatric Project was officially on the books.

In addition to the educational work that they do, and programs bringing children like the twins to doctors in the U.S., they do things like this:

Children in many developing countries suffer from birth defects due to improper nutrition.  In addition to providing education and dietary supplements for mothers, they started a program in Belize to correct clubfoot in disabled tots.  Using a U.S. partner, they taught local doctors how to use a series of corrective casts to improve the comfort and mobility in these children.

WPP helped to fund and build a NICU unit in St. Vincent.  Nurses and partners from Children’s Hospital of Richmond taught local nurses how to use the donated equipment and how to meet the critical needs of ill and preterm newborns.

Cardiologists from VCU and Children’s Hospital of Richmond have been travelling to the Dominican Republic for over 5 years to offer hands-on training to Dominican doctors in the diagnosis and prevention of heart diseases.  Dr. Scott Gullquist, leader of the project, says that he can see a drop in the mortality of children with these conditions.

More than 100 medical professionals volunteer to offer their services every year. The good news is that they have more volunteers than they have the finances to send out into the world.  The bad news is that they have more volunteers than they have the finances to send out into the world.

So how can we continue to help World Pediatric Project?

First of all, we are like World Pediatric Project, and many of the other non-profit organizations that strive to help those in need:  We need money.  Crisis and illness never go on vacation, and that keeps us open 24/7/365.  There are numerous ways for you to help, both large and small.  Whether a one time gift or an on-going contribution, you can explore the many options here.

You might be able to get your work gang together (like BB & T or Spotts Fain) to volunteer here at the house for a meal or a one-time project.  Many employers will also match donations, so check and see if your company will match any donations that you make to us.

You can also organize your group or organization (like Hanover Youth Service!) to host a party, a team, or event to help raise funds for HHH. 

Any way that you look at it, the World Pediatric Project is doing some great work.  We would love to see them continue to grow and thrive.  We hope that they are able to continue to help wonderful children like Maria and Teresa, and perhaps be in a position to one day broaden their reach to be truly global.  One thing is for sure:  We’re proud to have played a part in their equation of good, and we’ll continue to be here to help.