On January 22nd the Clínica Verde Board of Directors welcomed to St. Helena, California, Managua-based architect Alfredo Osorio and Project Manager Johny Siman for two days of intensive work to flush out the final details of the new medical clinic planned for Boaco, Nicaragua. The Nicaraguan team met with members of the boards' medical and design committees to evaluate critical components of the clinic's operational program as well as building systems and sustainable elements that will be incorporated into the final design. Among the items of discussion was the collection of rainwater for use in irrigation of the organic gardens and flushing of toilets as well as passive cooling methods that would allow drastic reductions or even elimination of mechanical cooling systems. The team also met with local structural engineer Kevin Zucco of ZFA Structural Engineers in Santa Rosa to discuss options for streamlining the buildings structural system. The visit provided the Nicaraguan and American teams an opportunity to discuss the clinic's design and ensure that the final building will meet with the intent of the Board's vision.

It was a great, productive weekend, and everyone left fired-up and excited to break ground this Spring.

Be a part of our work. Contact us at info@clinicaverde.org with your ideas, or make a donation to support our effort to bring health and hope to families in need: I believe in your work and want to help.

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."

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