Wings of Hope partner organization, Flying Medical Service, makes bi-monthly rounds
throughout remote regions of Tanzania providing health care services. |
writer: bronson enriquez
photographer: maciej dakowicz
all images were taken in northern
tanzania with woh partner flying
medical service (fms). since 1985, woh
has provided fms with four aircraft
equipped for long range flight and
emergency medical transportation,
in addition to other resources. |
| Based in St. Louis, Missouri, Wings of Hope (WOH)
has volunteers across the globe devoted to “fostering selfsufficiency
and accomplishment” among the world’s poor.
This goal is achieved through their domestic operations,
air bases abroad and partnerships with humanitarian
organizations worldwide. WOH strives to find innovative
and effective strategies to combat poverty wherever it exists. |
“The goal of [Wings of Hope] is to alter the course of the
world ... to take a region that we’re serving and alter the
course of that environmental, socio-economic, political
or cultural situation, so the people there can have the
opportunities that they need.”
-
doug clements,
executive director
wings of hope |
“We pledge all our humanitarian efforts and
resources to answer a simple question, ‘How can we
improve the lives of the poor and change the future
of [our] world?’”
—mary jean russell, ph.d.
director of development
wings of hope |
WOH runs almost entirely on the time and effort of
dedicated volunteers. Worldwide, WOH has more than
3,000 volunteers. At their international headquarters in St.
Louis alone, over 500 volunteers log more than 250,000
humanitarian hours a year. Without these individuals,
none of this work would be possible.
"[An] airplane can't save anybody's life [and] neither can a
bottle of medicine ... It takes a human being with a kind heart
and a strong back to get out there, deliver these materials,
monitor their usage and try to make changes so that five or 10
years down the road, they don't need that [support]." -doug clements, executive director
wings of hope
"I believe that everyone on earth should be entitled to health,
and my goal is to help provide and improve health care."
-david "ezra" jay, volunteer pilot/paramedic
flying medical service
“I have had the privilege of meeting some of the truly
dedicated and remarkable people who put the Wings of Hope
aircraft to use in remote areas under difficult conditions.
Being able to service aircraft that are put to such admirable
use and meet[ing] such impressive individuals gives me a
great deal of satisfaction.”
—jerry hoogerwerf, volunteer mechanic
wings of hope |
FMS volunteers, all of whom are pilots and paramedics,
bring medical professionals and supplies to 25 airstrips
in centralized locations throughout northern Tanzania.
People gather in these areas once every two weeks to
receive both preventive and curative medical treatment. |
FMS volunteer Rebecca Moran and volunteer medical
student Anne Drabkin en route to a clinic. |
FMS volunteer David "Ezra" Jay, sent to FMS by WOH,
helps a patient off the plane. |
Ezra and a volunteer clinical officer from a local hospital provide treatment to members of the Maasai tribe. |
“I have never witnessed a more profound work ethic,
dedication or contribution of time and effort by people
anywhere before. They are all to be commended.”
—keith barbero, board member
wings of hope
The [volunteers'] impact on poverty is a pleasure to see.
They give hope to so many young people."
-brig. gen. chuck yeager, usaf (ret.)
honorary council member
wings of hope |
“My greatest gain is what I have learned from
the other volunteers … they are the people one
can only try to emulate in some small way.
WOH provides a great lesson in how to be a
better person.”
—john pavese, volunteer pilot
wings of hope |
| |
| |
| next |
