This year we put very specific emphasis on relationship building, focusing both on strengthening existing relation-ships and forging new ones. We partnered with two charitable organizations—Kindness in Action (KIA) and with Miracles in Action (MIA) to complete two projects. These relationships allowed us utilize the strength, skills and assets of each partner and allowed us to tackle projects in a far more efficient and effective manner than if we had attempted to undertake them alone. We also tried out a type of hybrid partnership, being a facilitator to the Canadian Foundation for facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the local authorities of the Ministry of Health. Unfortunately, the authorities in Jalapa cancelled the visit only a few days be-fore the group was set to depart.
The other type of partnership we have actively pursued is partnering with the various communities we are serving. This type of partner-ship recognizes that community involvement, buy-in and ownership … read more
