In 1999, when Hurricane Mitch laid waste to vast swaths of Honduras, a small group of Baltimore clinicians, in partnership with The Church of the Redeemer (Baltimore, MD) and the Honduran Episcopal Diocese, flew down to see how they could help.  Back then, few imagined this initial intervention would in 2010 grow into OCHO, a full-fledged medical and educational nonprofit with strong collaborative ties to the remote rural communities of Santa Bárbara.  

 

Under the leadership of clinicians and professionals, OCHO designed a successful model of medical care, based on partnerships with trusted local leaders. In the first decade of OCHO's existence, the reach of volunteers and leaders expanded, amplifying that initial vision of promoting sustainable change in Honduras and implementing a sophisticated, multidisciplinary approach to public health. Some noteworthy projects to be highlighted:

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• a water purification plant [2011]

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• a health center [2015]

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• an innovative rehabilitation and education center for children with disabilities [2017].

• telemedicine consultations (2020-present)

 

After 3 years of hiatus from brigade trips due to COVID-19, OCHO sent a team of 21 to Honduras in June 2023 to explore new areas in the Santa Bárbara department where our efforts can be concentrated. OCHO will continue to work with the communities of Concepción del Sur and San Francisco de Ojuera with the goals of supporting special needs therapy, specialist follow-ups via telemedicine, and decentralization of the healthcare system.