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CAMO South transforms visual and auditory health in Choluteca

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“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken!” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

This is how CAMO South was born in Choluteca, in southern Honduras—joining forces to bring oral and audiovisual health to thousands and prove that we are stronger together.

This program, recently launched in Choluteca, was created to address the lack of early screening services for visual and auditory health in southern Honduras.

CAMO South will replicate the CAMO model from western Honduras for the benefit of Choluteca’s population in the areas of ophthalmology and audiometry. It will also strengthen collaborations with churches and community leaders to ensure follow-up and support.

The project is made possible thanks to the sponsorship of Terry Chauvin and his wife Kadira, and is implemented by CAMO and the Fundación para el Desarrollo de la Zona sur (FUNDESUR), with support from the Municipality of Choluteca, the Robles Ophthalmology Center, and Social Investment Program (INSSA).

The CAMO South strategy includes training local personnel, deploying a fully equipped mobile unit for brigades in schools and communities, and arranging monthly transfers of patients to Santa Rosa de Copán for ophthalmic surgeries.

The community-based visual and auditory health program will screen over 400 children and adults and deliver up to 30 sight-restoring surgeries each month.The problem being addressed

It is estimated that over 40% of children in rural areas have undiagnosed problems affecting their development and learning—and only 1 in 10 receives proper evaluation.

The Mayor of Choluteca, Quintín Soriano, stated that the municipality has around 118 basic education centers; however, due to the absence of a visual health program, the number of children with vision issues is unknown. Thus, the screening efforts of CAMO will be essential for the well-being of school-aged children.

With a population of 175,056 residents, Choluteca has only three ophthalmologists, whose services are provided solely in private clinics, making ophthalmologic care virtually inaccessible for low-income individuals.

At the Hospital del Sur, a certified ophthalmologist serves as a general physician due to a lack of equipment, further limiting access to this essential service for those who need it most.

News Media Releases

Health and Hope in Every Delivery: CAMO’s Reach into Remote Communities

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It was 2:00 a.m. when, under the darkness of night, the head nurse of a rural health center in one of the most remote areas of Honduras began an eight-hour journey with missionaries and volunteers. Their destination: CAMO’s headquarters in Santa Rosa de Copán. Their mission was urgent—collecting a donation of medical supplies that would keep their small primary health clinic running.

For Adalila Gonzáles, the nurse in charge, CAMO’s donations are nothing short of lifesaving. The national health system provides only limited medications, and the demand for care in her clinic—serving nearly 4,000 people across six surrounding communities—far exceeds what she has on hand.

“Sometimes we don’t even have the basics—gauze, gloves, or cotton,” she explained. “That’s why we asked for help. With the support of a volunteer who lent us two pickup trucks and the help of missionaries, we were able to transport the donation back to our community.”

Among the items she prioritized were mobility aids for people with disabilities, basic medical supplies, and nutritional supplements such as vitamins and deworming treatments. For families in communities where healthcare resources are scarce, these items mean the difference between being treated—or being left without options.

A Lifeline from Ohio to Honduras

For more than 32 years, Central American Medical Outreach (CAMO) has been strengthening public health in Honduras, driven by the urgent needs of underserved communities.

Each year, from its base in Orrville, Ohio, CAMO ships six to eight 40-foot containers filled with carefully inspected and fully functional medical supplies and equipment. Nothing is wasted—only what can be effectively used in Honduras is sent.

In the past year alone, thanks to the commitment of volunteers and donors in the U.S., CAMO delivered seven containers carrying more than 9,300 boxes of supplies and 628 major pieces of medical equipment. These donations reached over 100 hospitals, clinics, emergency services, and community organizations throughout Honduras.

Altogether, the shipments represented more than $2.3 million in aid, directly impacting thousands of lives and strengthening the ability of the Honduran public health system to serve those who need it most.

Testimonies

Carlitos Caballero, a story of perseverance and resilience

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At just 9 years old, as he was getting ready for school, Carlos Manuel Caballero experienced his first seizure. That moment marked the beginning of a lifelong battle: epilepsy.

Carlitos, as he is affectionately called, was born healthy at the Hospital de Occidente. Everything seemed normal until the seizures began. His mother, Idalia—a mother of 12 children—did not have the resources to provide him with medical care, but at CAMO she found hope and a refuge that has never abandoned them.

CAMO supported him from primary consultations to transfers to San Pedro Sula, where he underwent specialized testing. It was there that doctors discovered a brain tumor which, thanks to CAMO’s neurosurgery program and the Hospital de Occidente, was successfully removed. That surgery restored his hope and gave him the chance to move forward.

Almost ten years have passed since that difficult moment in his life. Carlitos remains a patient in the neurology program—the only one in western Honduras that serves low-income families.

For many years he received his medication free of charge through CAMO, and today he obtains it at the Hospital de Occidente. Although epilepsy is still a challenge, Carlitos refuses to give up.

His perseverance is truly inspiring

Every day he travels 27 kilometers from his community of El Níspero in Cucuyagua to Santa Rosa de Copán. With determination and enthusiasm, he sells sliced pineapple in bags to help support his family. “I used to sell five bags, now I sell between 100 and 120,” he proudly shared. His mother also works as a street vendor, and together they face life with dignity and courage.

Carlitos still keeps the stuffed animals he received from CAMO years ago—symbols of the love and support that CAMO and its collaborators have brought into his life.

Today, he dreams of one day working at CAMO, to offer others the same help that sustained him through much of his life.

From the very first visit to the most recent one: Carlos Caballero with his mother Idalia, bound by the years and the memories of every visit to CAMO.

News Media Releases

A Powerful Example of Solidarity to Support Patients in Honduras

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On August 16, CAMO hosted the first edition of CAMO Colecta, a solidarity marathon that brought together more than 250 volunteers, staff, local businesses, organizations, and community members to raise funds in support of CAMO’s expansion project.

The fundraising effort was carried out through six collection points and mobile teams that visited different neighborhoods. Thanks to this initiative, more than 115,000 lempiras (approximately $4,600) were raised in cash, in addition to in-kind donations from restaurants, businesses, institutions, and individuals who joined the cause.

The purpose of CAMO Colecta is to support the construction of a new distribution center, part of CAMO’s expansion launched in 2024. This facility will allow CAMO to increase the delivery of donations from the United States—including medical equipment and supplies, food, and clothing—benefiting over 108 health centers and municipalities across Honduras.

The day was also marked by a festive atmosphere, with music, dance, and cultural performances that filled the community with hope and joy.

News Media Releases

SG Foundation and CAMO: An Alliance for Children’s Education and Health

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In the rural areas of Honduras, where poverty is widespread, the alliance between CAMO and SG Foundation is a beacon of hope.

Through a matching intervention, both organizations are working to close the gaps that poverty creates in education, combining efforts in nutrition and comprehensive health.

This support is channeled through CAMO’s Literacy Program, an initiative that currently serves 1,724 students in 16 rural schools across the departments in western Honduras.

The Literacy Program is built on standardized reading and comprehension assessments, the design of a local educational strategy in coordination with municipal and departmental authorities, annual medical check-ups in nutrition, dentistry, ophthalmology, and audiometry, and training for rural teachers to strengthen learning in the classroom.An ongoing challenge

During health evaluations, factors are identified that may directly affect school performance.

In one of these evaluations, we learned about Lester, a student at 18 de Noviembre School in the community of El Pinal, under the jurisdiction of the municipality of San Juan de Opoa.

Lester’s case immediately caught the attention of the nutritionists who evaluated him, as they found he was underweight. He was provided with therapeutic nutritional supplements and continues under monitoring and follow-up.Education with health: the formula for change

For Jorge López, District Director of Education in Corquín, Copán, and the local counterpart for the Literacy Program, the impact of the initiative is tangible:

“We have witnessed how an evaluation can give a child their life back. We knew of a case of a student who could not see, and thanks to this program, he now wears glasses and can learn like the others.”

López also highlighted the importance of follow-up for each patient.

The alliance between CAMO and SG Foundation proves that health and education, united, can transform lives. Through medical care, teacher training, and strategies to improve reading skills, the Literacy Program opens opportunities for more than 1,700 rural children, sowing hope and a fairer future.

News Media Releases

CAMO and Vitamin Angels Expand Their Reach with Donation of Vitamin Supplements

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The partnership between CAMO and Vitamin Angels continues to grow stronger in its mission to improve nutrition and preventive health in Honduras.
This joint effort, which has benefited thousands of vulnerable individuals since 2018, takes a significant step forward with an increase in the quantity of supplements received this year.

Compared to the previous year, the latest donation includes an additional 1,000 doses of Albendazole, 1,000 more doses of Vitamin A 200,000 IU, and an increase of 1,054,620 prenatal multivitamins. This expansion allows for greater coverage for pregnant women, children under five, and other populations at nutritional risk.Thanks to this latest delivery, CAMO has received:

  • 77,000 doses of Albendazole 400 mg chewable tablets, intended for children aged 12 to 59 months, enough to benefit 38,500 children.
  • 2,687,580 doses of prenatal multivitamins for pregnant women, enough to support 14,931 women throughout their prenatal care.
  • 31,000 doses of Vitamin A 100,000 IU, for children aged 6 to 11 months, directly benefiting 31,000 infants.
  • 77,000 doses of Vitamin A 200,000 IU, for children aged 12 to 59 months, reaching 38,500 beneficiaries.

The supplements —Albendazole, prenatal multivitamins, and Vitamin A— are distributed by CAMO through its medical brigades, the Comprehensive Women’s Program, and with the support of local governments in three departments of western Honduras.
Deliveries are prioritized in high-need communities where access to basic healthcare services remains limited.

Thanks to this collaboration, thousands of women have received support during pregnancy, promoting better fetal development and preventing complications.
Likewise, children who have received the supplements have shown improvements in gut health and immune development, due to the preventive effects of vitamin A and deworming treatments.

Quarterly

Newsletter SUMMER 2025

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The reason is clear: CAMO has always focused on real, urgent, life-and-death needs—not on donor-driven or first-world priorities. Our approach is grounded in Honduran-led needs  assessments—not external agendas. The people of Honduras identify their own most pressing challenges, and we respond with sustainable solutions that empower, not impose.

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Testimonies

She held her prosthetic together with tape… until help arrived

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Through tears that spoke of both pain and hope, Maricela shared the story of her daughter, Escarleth Elizabeth Varela. Born with a congenital condition, Escarleth lost her left leg before her first birthday. She also lives with scoliosis—but nothing has ever dimmed her spirit.

Since she was little, Escarleth has shown a strength that moves everyone around her. She lives in the community of San Matías, Francisco Morazán, where she attends school with enthusiasm, standing out not only for her excellent grades but also for a sweetness that leaves a lasting impression. Her biggest dream: to become a lawyer and fight for justice.

Maricela recalled that many years ago, her daughter received a prosthetic leg. As time passed, it became too small and worn out. With no means to afford a new one, the family did what they could—tape and love were their tools to keep her standing.

But hope knocked on their door once again. Thanks to the combined efforts of CAMO and FAKS, Escarleth received a new prosthetic leg, custom-made for her, restoring her mobility, confidence, and joy.

“God always surprises us… Today we have nothing but words of gratitude,” her mother shared emotionally.

Now, Escarleth walks with greater strength—and dares to dream again. She hopes to compete in dance events and fully enjoy her physical education classes.

Because when the heart refuses to give up, the path always finds your feet.
Join this mission that transforms lives: www.camo.org/donate

News Media Releases

Over 12,000 Lives Touched: Medical Brigades Reach the Forgotten Corners of Honduras

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Families walk for hours—sometimes days—for basic health services that may never come. In these overlooked communities, CAMO’s medical brigades are not just welcome—they are essential.

Last year, 12,464 individuals received care through CAMO’s brigades. These aren’t one-time charity visits—they are coordinated, professional, and deeply needed interventions designed to meet people where they are.

From general medicine and dental services to ENT, ophthalmology, nutrition, and full health evaluations, CAMO’s brigades provide the kind of comprehensive care that transforms lives and builds trust.

In 2025, CAMO will deploy over 136 brigades throughout the country. Each one is staffed by trained professionals and supported by local volunteers— bringing not only skilled hands but also compassionate hearts.

Some of the most remote towns, like Las Flores and Dulce Nombre de Copán, are now being reached thanks to strong partnerships with municipal leaders and socially committed organizations like CAFICO, and Geotérmica Platanares.Their support helps fund dental brigades in areas where oral pain and infection are common and untreated. And for patients whose conditions cannot be resolved in the field, CAMO provides something even more critical: a path to continued care.

These individuals are referred to CAMO’s permanent programs—whether it be imaging, surgery, specialized consultations, or rehabilitation—ensuring they receive the treatment they need, not just a temporary fix. What makes these brigades so powerful is not only the care delivered, but the dignity restored.

A tooth pulled, a vision improved, a child’s malnutrition addressed—these moments may seem small, but for those receiving care, they mean everything.

This is what CAMO does best: uniting communities, partners, and medical professionals to make lasting change in places the world has largely forgotten.

And it’s only possible because of people like you—who believe in dignity for all, no matter where they live. Join us! https://www.camo.org/donate

News Media Releases

CAMO Junior Makes History by Appointing Its First Board of Directors

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For the first time since its creation, CAMO Junior has officially formed its first Board of Directors, marking a historic moment for this program that has been shaping young leaders from childhood.

With a heartfelt ceremony and the active participation of the children and youth members, the election of the new Board of Directors took place and was established as follows:

  • President: Sara Madrid
  • Secretary: Marcela Madrid
  • Treasurer: Samuel Alvarado
  • Auditor: Allison Alvarado
  • Board Member I: Lauren Rodríguez

This team will lead CAMO Junior’s activities during the 2025–2026 term, representing the program’s 48 active members, whose ages range from 3 to 17 years.

“I’m so happy to see how this program is growing and how children are learning the value of helping others with integrity and strong principles,” said Kathy Tschiegg, founder and international director of CAMO. “Thank you to all the parents, leaders, and children for your hearts committed to service.”

What began as an educational initiative is now becoming a platform for values-based learning, leadership, and community action.
The children of CAMO Junior actively participate in community events and volunteer efforts—these young leaders are proving that age is no barrier to making a difference.

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