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H.E.R.O Health and Education Relief Organization

For more information, please e-mail us heroglobalorg@gmail.com

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Medical
Looking Ahead: HERO PLANS MAJOR ADVANCEMENTS IN SERVICE DELIVERY

volunteer nursesAt HERO, we are constantly searching for new ways to maximize our operational efficiency and to update, improve and expand the scope and effectiveness of our work. Among our projects currently in development are the following:

  • Expanded Use of Electronic Records
    The implementation of electronic records in our medical outreach missions has enabled us to significantly improve our continuity of care for the patients we serve. In addition to providing a much more secure and reliable system of medical record keeping, the adoption of electronic records also enables us to work more collaboratively with our local health care counterparts and to be much more supportive of their work on the ground. Moreover, these electronic records now constitute an invaluable database for more comprehensive research and analysis. Utilizing this new resource, we are now able to conduct a more detailed analysis of various conditions, including their prevalence, commonality, and the effectiveness of current treatment protocols within the affected geographic areas and demographic groups. The electronic database also enables us to design a more targeted and effective campaign of public education to supplement our medical relief efforts.

  • One Mile Health Clinic Pilot Project
    In addition to our ongoing medical outreach missions to underserved communities, HERO has identified a health clinic within the Linden region of Guyana with which we will establish a pilot partnership to improve outcomes in patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension. Specifically, we will be implementing targeted strategies designed to achieve measurable outcomes in managing these chronic medical conditions. HERO will fund and provide the resources necessary to implement the project. Our goal is to establish a model that can be replicated in other parts of the country to improve the lives of hypertensive and diabetic patients.

    The HERO pilot partnership at One Mile Wismar will seek to achieve a measurable reduction in complications from diabetes and hypertension by supplementing the existing plan of care with appropriate resources and expertise. HERO is currently waiting to secure the necessary authorizations to initiate the project in 2017.

Surgical

  • Scoliosis
    We are working to begin a project to provide corrective surgery for children and teenagers who suffer from Scoliosis; an inherited condition that results in curvature of the spine. Severe cases result in significant deformity of the body, severe pain and possible lung problems. At present we are looking to identify a surgeon to perform the procedures.

  • Breast Reconstruction
    The main goal of our plastic surgery project is to provide Breast Reconstruction for women who have had their breast removed (Mastectomy) due to breast cancer. Most women undergo this procedure to treat breast cancer in Guyana which is disfiguring. While we continue to perform surgery for women who have enlarged breast causing severe pain, our ultimate goal is to perform Breast Reconstruction for women with cancer.

  • Vision Program
    The future goal of our vision program is to make glasses for the patients we see at our clinics. Currently we rely on various local providers to do this. While we provide lenses and frames for patients we see in our clinics, a charge may be incurred by our patients in having their glasses made. We hope to acquire an Edger that would allow us to provide eyes exams as well make the glasses needed by our patients.

Education

Literacy Program Initiatives

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
Project Title: Improving Young Lives

This project strives to improve young lives by delivering to eligible students a high-quality education utilizing comprehensive, evidence-based strategies of teaching and learning to enhance their reading, writing and mathematical skills. The project will also be designed to maximize children’s performance on national, standardized examinations, thereby preparing them for early access to high-performing secondary schools and advanced education. The project will utilize a curriculum developed by a Consultant, based on core competencies as defined by the national Ministry of Education. Funding is requested for human resource time, supplies and materials to deliver the program in the most effective and efficient manner.
Specific objectives of the project include:

  • Objective 1: To review and revise a Grade 4 and Grade 6 curriculum and related assessment tools in conjunction with focus groups and the selected pilot school — Mocha Primary School — to determine content areas and methodologies in need of refinement within the curriculum and associated measurement tools.
  • Objective 2: To select and train Mocha community-based teachers in specific knowledge, attitudes and skills that will enable their delivery of stage-tailored curriculum for Grades 4 and 6.
  • Objective 3: To examine the impact of the integrated curriculum on literacy rates and national examination results among economically disadvantaged children attending the Mocha Primary School.
  • Objective 4: To identify and refer for relevant intervention, any children assessed with learning disabilities and those exposed to emotional and physical abuse.

Mocha-Arcadia is a village of approximately 6,000 residents located on the East Bank of Demerara with an average household income of US$1,800 a year. Re-commissioned in 1999, the Mocha Primary School has a current enrollment of 206 students in Grades One through Six, each class consisting of 20-35 students. In the past, Mocha Primary School had consistently demonstrated below-average performance on Guyana’s Grade Two, Grade Four and Grade Six Examinations, with 33% of all students failing in national standardized tests. To remedy this history of poor academic performance, the Improving Young Lives Project will provide the children in this community with additional educational resources to improve their literacy, writing and mathematical skill sets.

A pilot version of this project is currently underway, with an enrollment of 100 Mocha Primary School students from Grades 4 – 6. The program is supported by a community partnership involving the Mocha Primary School, Mocha Organization and the Mocha Village Council. In addition to their overall academic performance, participating students will be evaluated to identify any personal weaknesses that may require individualized attention. Students identified with learning disabilities will be referred to our partnering organization Blossom Inc., for the relevant intervention.

Monitoring and Post-Evaluation assessments of the project will also be conducted. These assessments will include the administering of internal exams to test the participating students’ level of improvement, in conjunction with their actual school assessment scores, and the National Grade Six Assessment scores. The project will be executed on a weekly basis; selected teachers will work with students on Saturdays from 9AM to Noon, and upon completion of each weekly session, snacks and drinks will be provided to students.

Our ability to implement this and similar life-improvement initiatives for children in need relies heavily on your financial assistance and other forms of support. To continue supporting us and providing these children with the opportunity to realize their full potential and a more secure future, please make a tax-deductible contribution to the H.E.R.O Education Program using the link below.

We thank you in advance for your generous support.