From left, a local priest from Boaco, architect Alfredo Osorio, Clinica Verde board member Cristiana Chamorro, CV Medical Director Dr. Armando Incer, Boaco Mayor Hugo Barquero, Project Manager Johny Siman.

 

 

Here’s an article that appeared in Nicaragua’s La Prensa reporting on our formal ground-breaking ceremony that took place on April 20. Woo-hoo! Check it out: Clinica Verde breaks ground.

Facebook + Supporters = Wine!

 

Clark~Claudon 2005 Estate Cabernet

Clinica Verde wants you to help spread the word! The person who recruits the most new supporters to our Facebook Cause in the next 30 days will win a case (a CASE, people!) of Clark~Claudon 2005 Estate Cabernet. You can’t go wrong there.

The Clark~Claudon cab presents “heightened aromas of cassis, violets, fine cedar, & bright black cherries.” In other words, it’s delicious. Check out their website at Clark Claudon.

We’ll track the numbers in our Cause Recruiters Hall of Fame. So, get started! Invite your friends to join! 

*Proof of age will be required to receive the wine.

Peter Stanley: Building the Dream

Peter Stanley is Vice-Chairman of Clinica Verde and one of its greatest assets. For the past 20 years, Peter has worked in the built environment, either building designing or managing projects. He’s a founding partner in Archilogix, an architecture and development consulting firm in Santa Rosa, California, focused on implementing sustainable and smart growth strategies.

Q: You’ve been involved with charitable projects in Nicaragua for a number of years now. Talk a little bit about the work you’ve been a part of — what you’ve overseen, what you’ve learned.

It was about six years ago that I got involved in an affordable housing project in a small community about an hour east of Managua, Nicaragua. A group of local, energetic volunteers from the U.S dedicated themselves to the idea that they could apply their skills to provide housing for some pretty desperate families.  We formed a non-profit organization both here and in Nicaragua and then got to work. Personally, this was my first direct experience with developing world poverty and to say I was devastated would minimize the effect it had on me and, ultimately, my life.  For the past six years I have been involved, with the help of many generous donors and volunteers, in the management, design and construction of 64 single family homes, and two schools, which has now grown into educational scholarships and an economic development program. The gains that have been achieved in this little community by the NGO, Developing Communities, has been remarkable and shows what can be achieved with dedication and perseverance. Never doubt that.

Q: Tell us where you are right now in the schedule with Clinica Verde.

The board of Clinica Verde has put in some very hard work in the past year developing the medical clinic program, design and operational strategy as well as securing the land on which the clinic will be built.  We’ve commissioned the services of an incredible Managuan architect, Alfredo Osario Peters, and an in-country project manager, Johny Siman, to help us prepare the project for construction and our current schedule will have us breaking ground for the new clinic in mid April 2009 and, with a concerted and successful fundraising campaign, we hope to open the doors of the clinic in the summer of 2010.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge for you and your team at this point? What fires you up?

There are always big challenges whenever you take on a project like Clinica Verde, but the challenges are intensified when you are talking about pulling it off in a third world country and a seven hour flight away! But I have to say that what complicates this project is also what makes it so exciting. I think the thing we scratch our heads most about is finding ways to apply sustainable design practices in a country that has not yet embraced emerging technologies. What this forces us to do is go “old school” and revisit passive design practices that take advantage of the natural environment through site orientation, natural cooling practices instead of mechanical units and designing in natural day lighting rather than electrically powered systems.  I think we are all excited by the opportunities this kind of environment affords us as we develop a creative approach to not only the clinic itself but, to an even greater extent, the delivery of medical services.

Q: You give a great deal of your time to this project. What does Clinica Verde mean to you?

Up until a few years ago I had spent my entire professional career working inside a pretty privileged. I don’t mean that in any demeaning way, but I have lived a very fortunate life. Clinica Verde has given me an incredible opportunity to take that lifetime of experience and knowledge and apply it to an area of the world that is in an increasingly desperate condition.  I have seen what can be accomplished through hard work, cooperation and focused dedication and I have to say it is hard to find a more satisfying reward than the looks on the faces of those that benefit from all our efforts.

Q: Imagine yourself and the project in one year. What do you see?

I see what everyone on this project sees, and that is the doors to this beautiful clinic opening and premium medical care being provided to a segment of the Nicaraguan population that has been shut out in the past.  I want to see children and mothers finding refuge in the care and kindness that this clinic will bring and I don’t ever want another mother or child to die because they couldn’t afford good medical care. It’s a big dream, but so achievable … really!

Q: What do you want to say to our supporters?

Don’t underestimate the power your support can bring to this or any cause. The strength of a solitary effort combined with the cumulative force of like-minded individuals can change the world – and I believe that Clinica Verde will in fact accomplish its goal to  provide health and hope to those who are most in need.  Right now we have raised over $500,000, if we can raise another $100,000 by August of 2009 we’ll have enough to finish the construction of the clinic, and with an additional $200,000 we’ll be able to open the doors and start providing medical care to hundreds of families in that community for the next two years!

Donor Spotlight: Kate Pett and Vince Floriani

Clínica Verde supporters Kate Pett and Vince Floriani live in Asheville, North Carolina. Kate is a nonprofit professional and Co-Director of the Asheville City Schools Foundation who has worked for 15 years in nonprofits. Vince is a nationally board-certified 4th grade teacher who last year was awarded the USA Today National All-Star Teaching Award. He first started teaching more than 20 years ago in Morocco. Here, Kate talks about why they support Clínica Verde. 

“Vince and I are committed to supporting Clínica Verde because, as former Peace Corps Volunteers, we know that the mission is critically important. We saw first-hand, the stifling and tragic impact that limited access to health care has on communities. Just days after arriving in our village, we witnessed the death of an infant whose life could have been so easily saved with the most basic medical interventions. Less dramatic, but equally devastating, were the enduring burdens of disease and malnutrition that prevented the successful growth and development of so many children in our isolated community. 

“We are grateful to be able to support Clínica Verde, which will release many families from the grip of poor health. We know that health care is an essential first step to empowering poor communities to create new solutions and become robust and sustainable places in which all children can thrive. Health and hope comes in pairs, and we feel confident that Clínica Verde will deliver both to one community, and then many more.” 

Everyone can help in some way. Give just $20 today.

Our Nica architect comes to Napa Valley

 

This past weekend, Clínica Verde hosted Nicarguan architect Alfredo Osorio for a meeting in the Napa Valley. Osorio is our partner in Nicaragua – a fascinating, elegant man who has stories to tell about many of the greats in his field: Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Kahn, Calatrava. Osorio recently designed the new U.S. Embassy in Managua, and has designed a plan for the city of Managua that he’s been pursuing with the current Nicaraguan government. His history is long and colorful, and we’re lucky to have him on our side.

Osorio was here primarily to participate in design meetings with our U.S.-based architect Bill Boyd, our project developer Peter Stanley, Nica project manager Johny Siman and other board members. He’s a guy who cuts straight to the center of a problem, with simple, commonsense solutions. Over two days, the design team met to further refine our plans in anticipation of a break-ground date of this spring.

But we also showed Alfredo a couple of highlights in the Napa Valley. The most memorable was a visit to the winery Frog’s Leap. Founded by John Williams in 1981, Frog’s Leap is located among 130 acres of vineyards in Rutherford. They produce 60,000 cases of hand-crafted Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Rutherford. It’s beautiful, the wine is superb and well-priced, but there’s a lot more to Frog’s Leap that makes it something to applaud and admire.

Frog’s Leap grows all it grapes organically, in addition to cultivating an on-site organic vegetable garden. And, in February of 2005, Frog’s Leap became 100% solar powered. One thousand photovoltaic panels collect sunlight that is then converted to a clean and renewable energy source. Its hospitality center is LEED-certified – green certification that is the gold standard in the environmental building industry. Our tour at Frog’s Leap was excellent, leaving the whole team inspired to work towards our own solutions of sustainability for Clinica Verde.

If you’re ever in the area, be sure to check out Frog’s Leap. You can read more about the winery here: Go to Frog’s Leap.

I’ll leave you with Alfredo’s words upon his return to Nicaragua: “Thank you for having the privilege to know so many noble people and the magnificent beauty and tranquility of Napa. I am so grateful to you that I do not have enough words to express it, but it is deep within me. I will never forget this trip.”

Meet One of Our Supporters

Dr. Lina Mehta, Associate Dean for Admissions, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

 Dr. Mehta is just one of our extraordinary contributors. We’re so grateful for her support, and the support of others who’ve joined our cause. We asked Dr. Mehta why she supports  Clínica  Verde.

“The thing that really appeals to me about  Clínica  Verde is its sustainability, not just in terms of its physical plant, but also in terms of its impact on the local community. Too often we see medical clinics or medical mission trips that provide short term benefit which vanish as the resources dry up or as the providers go home. Clinica Verde will empower local citizens to become their own health care advocates and to take control of their futures, something that is desperately needed in order to effect long-term change.

“I am happy to encourage others to support this worthy cause.”

Help us meet our matching grant challenge. Donate $20 now.

Meet our Nicaraguan architect: Alfredo Osorio

Nicaraguan architect Alfredo Osorio is our “man on the ground” in Nicaragua. Here (right), Alfredo meets with Clínica Verde architect Bill Bylund and project director Peter Stanley. Recently, Osorio answered a few questions for us about his involvement with our project.

Tell us about your career ­– how long you have been working, highlights and major accomplishments.

I have been practicing architecture and engineering since graduation at Tulane University in 1956. Since then I have continued studies obtaining a Master’s in Architecture and Master of Masters, equivalent to a Doctorate. I also studied structural engineering and business administration in Paris, France. I have an ample and large architectural practice, having been the architect for the best buildings in Nicaragua. In this last year I completed the Embassy Building of the Netherlands, and the Embassy building of the United States of America. I have just finished the design for the new American Nicaraguan School. Presently I am the candidate for doing the urban redesign of the City of Managua. So far, I believe I am the only candidate. I could tell you more but I am afraid of sounding a little boastful.

Tell us about your career ­– how long you have been working, highlights and major accomplishments.

I have been practicing architecture and engineering since graduation at Tulane University in 1956. Since then I have continued studies obtaining a Master’s in Architecture and Master of Masters, equivalent to a Doctorate. I also studied structural engineering and business administration in Paris, France. I have an ample and large architectural practice, having been the architect for the best buildings in Nicaragua. In this last year I completed the Embassy Building of the Netherlands, and the Embassy building of the United States of America. I have just finished the design for the new American Nicaraguan School. Presently I am the candidate for doing the urban redesign of the City of Managua. So far, I believe I am the only candidate. I could tell you more but I am afraid of sounding a little boastful.

What attracted you to the project Clínica Verde?

I am attracted to Clínica Verde for being such a charitable and good group of persons dedicated entirely to the welfare of humanity and at the same time the deep concern for the welfare of our planet.

Why is Clínica Verde important in your country – and how can you see it being a model for the world?

Clinca Verde, in my opinion, will be the cornerstone of the type of construction and services very badly needed in our country. It is my hope that it could be a paradigm of new Nicaraguan government construction in the field of medicine and popular health services. Naturally, once an example such as Clínica Verde becomes known, then its influence could spread to other regions of the world.

What is your personal vision for Clínica Verde’s sustainable clinic?

Clínica Verde has all the potential to be a sustainable entity to bring health and care to the poor people of Boaco, integrating local civil leaders to continue with the task of keeping it up and maintaining it.

Support Clínica Verde.

Joe and Patti Phelps Offer $150,000 Matching Grant Challenge!

We are thrilled and honored to announce that Joseph Phelps, founder of Joseph Phelps Vineyard, and his wife Patti have personally offered a $150,000 matching grant challenge to help Clínica Verde raise the remaining funds necessary to complete construction of its clinic prototype in Nicaragua. 

“I understand that Clínica Verde is in need of $300,000 in funding to complete its clinic in Nicaragua,” Phelps writes. “As you know, I am very interested in playing a role in helping the clinic reach this goal.” 

Joseph Phelps is known for producing world-class wines, notably Joseph Phelps Insignia, a tribute to the great wines of Bordeaux. He founded Joseph Phelps Vineyards in 1972, and it became one of the most respected benchmarks of California wine quality. 

The offer by Phelps is conditioned on Clínica Verde obtaining $150,000 from heretofore new or uncommitted donors. Help us to meet this exceptional commitment from a great philanthropist by donating now. Your donation will be matched dollar for dollar. 

We appreciate each and every contribution. All contributions are tax-deductible. Help us meet the challenge!

Clínica Verde: Coming Soon!

 

Our land in Boaco.

Buy Gifts from VivaTerra = Help Build Clínica Verde

 

We’re happy to announce that VivaTerra has partnered with Clínica Verde to help us bring health and hope to families in need. Through December 5, for every purchase you make over $100 you will get a 10% discount and Clínica Verde gets 10% of the purchase price. If you’re not familiar with VivaTerra, you should be. It’s a beautiful catalogue and website that sells elegant, eco-friendly goods that reflect a commitment to sustainable resources. 

This is a great way to get a start on your Christmas shopping. As the directions on the link indicate, just enter the code GCV118 in the promotion code box to purchase gifts through Clínica Verde’s partnership. You’ll find great ideas for your wife or girlfriend, friends, family and colleagues – and give back in the process. 

I love their stone vases and candle holders, recycled glass dinnerware, slab wood cutting boards, silk fleece throws, and root of the earth bowls. There are many things that will be on my Christmas list!

A million thanks to VivaTerra for being a leader in private-nonprofit partnerships that seek to do well by doing good in the world.