Friday Service Project at Global Links

Today we had a service day at Global Links, an organization which helps to distribute medical supplies to medical clinics and hospitals around the world.  Due to some strict health policies and regulations, TONS (literally) of usable medical supplies are thrown out each year; n estimated $200 million worth of surgical supplies are thrown out in the US alone.  Now you might be asking yourself why are we so wasteful.  For example (and this does happen) if an OR is set up for a surgery and at the last minute that surgery is canceled none of the medical supplies can be returned and used in a future one.  Instead all of the supplies (which have never been used/opened) must be thrown out. 

Global Links is the only organization of its kind in Western PA and have been able to set up partnerships with many of the local hospitals and clinics.  Not only does their approach have a green mission, they are also able to supply several Central and South American clinics with the supplies they desperately need.

This morning we helped to put baby bags together.  For many pregnant women in developing countries, the nearest hospital can be hours/days away.  This means that many are forced to have their children at home with no access to a clean environment and/or a trained midwife; these are two major causes for child and maternal mortality around the world.  Many of the local hospitals use these bags as incentives for women to come to the hospitals to deliver their babies. 

Later in the day we headed over to the warehouse to sort, match and refurbish donated crutches, canes and walkers.  Here, Keturah models the latest walker.