About Pci Community Healthandpromotesustainabledevelopment
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about pci 01 the Vision Motivated by our concern for the world’s most vulnerable children, families our Mission and communities, PCI envisions a world where abundant resources are shared, communities are able to provide for the health and well-being of their mem- The mission of Project Concern International (PCI) is to improve bers, and children and families can achieve lives of hope, good health and community health and promote sustainable development. self-sufficiency. 2009 annual report strong roots In 1961, a young doctor from San Diego volunteering at a Tijuana clinic saved the lives of two small children who were dying of pneumonia. This experience led Dr. James Turpin to found Project Concern International and forever change the lives of millions of children and families around the world by providing health and hope to those most in need. Since then, the focus of the organization has remained true to its founder: PCI works in vulnerable communities to improve health and create long-term change by helping people help themselves. For nearly 50 years, thousands of dedicated individuals and groups have worked to make this vision a reality. THE FACES oF CHANGE PCI is committed to lasting change in the health and self-sufficiency of people living in poverty. This change has many faces, many who benefit, and their diversity is reflected on the cover of our 2009 Annual Report. It includes not only the children and families we serve in 15 countries, but partners, community volunteers, local stakeholders and PCI staff, as well as the generous donors supporting our life-changing work. We know from experience that we all share the same needs, the same basic rights to good health, clean water, food security and economic opportunity. As our founder has so poignantly said, “When I immunize a child, I immunize myself,” against apathy and disregard for our shared humanity. We all benefit from creating a better world together. contents Change Through Leadership 02 Change Worldwide Change Through Development Where We Work 06 - 07 Preventing Disease 03 Change Through Support Food & Livelihood Security 04 Financials 09 Empowering Women 05 Our Donors 09 - 11 Supporting Youth 08 change through preventing disease 02 03 medication, and PCI trains community PRO PUTTING THE ‘h’ IN HIV health volunteers to make home visits, observe patient intake of medication, and provide multi-faceted support during J Rarely are the words ‘hope’ and ‘HIV’ used in the same sentence, particularly when e the course of treatment. Because of the C you consider an estimated 33 million people are living with this life-threatening t leadership efforts of these dedicated, trained TB- C disease worldwide. PCI is giving many who have lost hope a reason to believe exclusive health workers, Don Jose was ON in life again by providing family-centered care and support to thousands of cured of TB. In fact, last year PCI contrib- people living with HIV in Africa, Asia and the Americas. uted to an average cure rate of 90.7% C MessAge FroM the president & ceo in the 13 participating high-risk states, ERN PCI focuses on assisting those most at risk through community-based compared to a national rate of 84.1%. I Despite the challenges of the global economy in the last year, PCI’s interventions that offer services including home-based care and outreach; anti- NTERNAT 2009 annual report erAdicAting poLio impact continued to grow as we reached more than 5.5 million people retroviral therapy and access to nutritional food; support groups and counseling; in 15 countries. With nearly 50 years of experience, we know when we economic empowerment activities; and support for caregivers and orphans. By utiliz- give people the tools and the resources they need they can lift themselves Sazid Shad walks with a stick after falling out of poverty and create a healthy future for their families. Real change, ing a network of dedicated volunteers and strengthening community-based organiza- victim to polio in his childhood. A native Indian, Sazid understands the impor- sustainable change requires ownership at the community level, and our role tions, PCI is ensuring vital care is reaching those who need it most. I is to empower that change. It also takes more than the efforts of any one tance of polio immunizations and works ONAL as a PCI community outreach worker, organization and our ability to connect stakeholders, governments, corporations, partners and Because of these holistic programs, PCI reached over 360,000 men, women and children educating parents on why they should donors dramatically leverages every dollar spent. I’m confident you’ll see these principles living with and affected by HIV in 2009, helping them lead healthier, more hopeful lives. underlying the many stories that follow. immunize their children against this crippling disease. Through the efforts of I want to thank our friends who are contributing to PCI’s emergency relief work in Haiti as Sazid and others, as well as education this report goes to press. In response to the January 12th earthquake, we’ve helped distrib- events and immunization campaigns, PCI ute medicines and medical equipment to hospitals, clinics and other healthcare providers, is helping reduce the incidence of polio and deliver hygiene kits, shelter materials and other vital emergency supplies to survivors. in some of India’s most high-risk areas. This is only the beginning of urgently needed recovery and rebuilding efforts in Haiti. In collaboration with its partners in the CORE Group Polio Project, PCI helped Finally, my sincere thanks to everyone who supported our work in 2009. You’re among the decrease the number of districts with a many faces of change we celebrate in this Annual Report. high rate of polio from 82 in 2008 to 44 in 2009 – a reduction of 46%. RESPONDING TO h1n1 COMBATTING A major When the H1N1 flu virus was first CHILDHOOD KiLLER detected, PCI immediately mobilized our George Guimaraes humanitarian assistance response team. Each year, waterborne diseases cause With assistance from AmeriCares, PCI millions of deaths worldwide, and distributed 40,100 N95 pleated masks children under five years of age are and over 2,000 units of hand sanitizer to especially vulnerable. In communities clinics throughout areas of Mexico identi- in the Department of Jinotega, Nicara- fied as high-risk for H1N1 transmission. gua, PCI was able to bring both clean By designating critical points of distribu- drinking water and access to latrines to tion along the U.S.-Mexico Border and 2,220 rural homes, benefiting more than in Mexico City, PCI provided the support 12,880 people in 2009. Attaining access needed to put H1N1 education materials to potable water in or near their homes in the hands of staff and patients of 114 not only saved lives, but it also saved clinics in Baja California, Sonora, Chihua- the women and children of Jinotega ap- hua, Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon and Mexico proximately 364 hours a year that they 2009 highlights City, as well as in San Diego County. had previously spent traveling to collect water. By improving access to water, sani- curing tB tation services and hygiene education, PCI’s leadership is often facilitative or “behind the scenes,” bringing others enced practices and policies that im- communities from finding solutions to FIGHTING STIGMA PCI reduced the prevalence of diarrheal along rather than striking out alone. In 2009, PCI continued to identify gaps prove health outcomes and program deep-set problems. Each year, nearly two million people die disease by 20% among children under and areas of need where opportunities exist to make a real difference in how achievements that cross geographic Smrita is a young woman from Ambedkar Nagar, India who recently tested unnecessarily from TB worldwide. A treat- three years of age. able and curable disease, many people health and development programming is carried out. and organizational boundaries. For example, South Africa has one of positive for HIV after being chronically ill for two months. When she regis- – such as Don Jose (pictured right), a the highest rates of reported rape in tered with PCI/India’s PATHWAY program, her body was severely swollen beneficiary of PCI’s TB prevention and FROM MONITORING INPUTS TO more available worldwide, it can fail the world, and gender-based violence and she was too weak to walk. After going into convulsions one day, she treatment program in Mexico when patients do not have enough MeASURING iMpACT has proven to be a major driver in was taken to Kamal Nehru Hospital by the PATHWAY medical team. Doctors – either don’t have access of the nutritious foods required to A key shift in PCI’s organizational the spread of HIV. In response, PCI told Smrita she needed intensive care, and relatives took her to be treated to needed medication supplement treatment. focus in 2009 has been the elevation and its local South African partners at Sassoon General Hospital. or they don’t take the of donor-driven program monitor- are implementing the first large-scale medication properly. PCI In response, PCI founded the Links ing and evaluation systems focused campaign to mobilize all sectors of works in partnership with the When PCI staff went to visit Smrita’s home the following day to check on for Life (L4L) Initiative in 2006 to on using information strategically society to find their own solutions National TB Program in Mexico, her family, they found Smrita in bed rather than at the hospital. Smrita promote learning and advocacy for priority-setting, decision-making to ending violence against women and in other countries, to control centered on integrated HIV and food/ and increased impact.