HONDURAS

Ukraine Relief

Riverside International Outreach joined the relief effort for the crisis in Ukraine. We collected various medical supplies, including a ventilator, a Zoll monitor, suctions, Bair Huggers, and various medical kits and sent them to Ukraine.

Tanzania 2021

In October 2021, Riverside International Outreach and Vituity Cares joined our new friends from Village Life Outreach Project in serving the people of Tanzania. Team RIOT was invited to explore opportunities to help with emergency medicine training at Bugando Medical Center in Mwanza. We partnered with Shirati Health, Education, and Development Foundation (SHED) in providing care to for patients at Shirati KMT Hospital and the rural clinic at Roche Health Center.

Despite the continuing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Doctors Loe and Tran were excited with the possibilities for future projects at Bugando Medical Center and KMT Hospital. Team RIOT looks forward to future trips to continue our service to the people of Tanzania.

Announcement: Tanzania

After a successful trip to support our friends at the Masai Mara in Kenya, Team RIOT will be returning to Eastern Africa. In October, a small team will travel to Tanzania to partner with Village Life Outreach Project. We hope to contribute to their efforts and plan on long term collaborative projects. Please re-visit us to see how you can help the cause.

Kenya 2021

In May 2021, Riverside International Outreach had an opportunity to travel to Kenya to serve the people of the Masai Mara. This was our first international trip since the COVID-19 pandemic. We joined with Africa Mission Services to provide medical services in their Community Clinic and Birth Center in the western Mara.

Because of the challenges of international travel during the pandemic, a small team of three was mobilized, consisting of Doctors Loe, Munden, and Tran. They brought a large supply of medical equipment to donate to the clinic, including a Zoll cardiac monitor/defibrillator. Besides staffing the clinic, they also provided overnight care and helped women with childbirth. We hope to return to the Masai in the near future with a larger team to provide care to the Maasai villages.

Announcement & Update for May 2021

It’s been a long and trying year. Members of Team RIOT had been focused and dedicated to serving the people of our own communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of us were able to serve other communities within the United States. In May 2020, three of Team RIOT went to the epicenter at Elmhurst Hospital in NY. They provided relief to the overburdened staff and provided care to critically ill COVID-19 patients in the ICU.

Unfortunately we had to postponed our planned trip to Honduras last year. However, we still have every intentions of bringing the team to the people of Honduras.

In the meantime, we were given an opportunity to help provide care to our friends in Kenya. Because of the ever-changing environment of a world still affected by the pandemic, we will bring a small team of 3 to Kenya. More news to come.

Update: Rescue Baby

During our Guatemala mission, we sponsored a rescue for a newborn baby in a rural village suffering from malnutrition. The child, Dilsa, was taken back to the Hospital San Lucas for treatment. Just 2 weeks later, we received news that Dilsa has finally hit a normal weight for her age. The staff anticipates that she will be released from the hospital next week. Truly exciting news indeed.

Guatemala 2019 – Baby Rescue

During our Guatemala mission, we sponsored a rescue for a newborn baby in a rural village suffering from malnutrition. The child, Dilsa, was taken back to the Hospital San Lucas for treatment.

Update: Just 2 weeks later, we received news that Dilsa has finally hit a normal weight for her age. The staff anticipates that she will be released from the hospital next week. Truly exciting news indeed.

Guatemala 2019

In November, 2019, Riverside International Outreach had our inaugural mission to Guatemala. We joined with Hope of Life International to provide medical services to the under served villages in the eastern province, or department, of Zacapa. We were 24 members strong, and included a good mix of veterans and novices in the field of global health and mission work. Leading up to our departure date, members of RIO gathered supplies and collected donated materials. The enthusiasm grew, and our excitement could barely be contained.

Although we are based in southern California, some of our volunteers came from other states. Travel arrangements for 24 individuals were complicated, and some of our team members spent more than 24 hours to get to our destination. Regardless, our spirits remained high, and once reunited, we were eager to begin our mission.

During our time in Guatemala, we brought medical care to over 500 patients in the rural villages of Zacapa. Everywhere we go, we were welcomed with love and affection. The smiles on the children’s faces warmed our hearts. The gratitude and hospitality of those we served truly humbled us. We also supported the local medical staff by providing lectures, supplies and training on pediatric resuscitation. Members of our team also covered for the on-duty staff so they could attend these training. In doing so, we were reminded that it is in giving that we receive. Our team also sponsored a rescue for a newborn baby suffering from malnutrition. We were elated to receive news a couple weeks later of her positive progress.

It was during this trip that members embraced the moniker of RIOT, or Riverside International Outreach Team. We therefore invite you to join the RIOT and change the world!