Our Members
The membership in Saving Little Hearts of Nicaragua is comprised of the Board and the Advisory members. The Board is responsible for the overall governance of the organization and the planning and development of the necessary and appropriate actions to achieve the mission. The Advisory members provide consultation advisement on matters taken up and directed by the Board.
Successful implementation of activities of SLHON would not be possible without the actions of three key groups:
- Volunteers
- Supporters
- Partners
The Board, the Advisory members, and many others, both in the United States and Nicaragua, are all volunteers who carry out the business and execute the projects of SLHON. They commit their time and labor to help the children and to improve the communities in which they live.
Supporters contribute and help to network with others to insure the financial viability and sustainability of the organization. They attend events, provide moral support, and promote SLHON’s mission and goals.
Partners are a vital component in helping to achieve our organizational objectives. They bring together a “force” that is unbeatable in the battles against rheumatic fever and other medical challenges of the children of Nicaragua. Through communication, collaboration, and team effort, the Partners help bring together the right people, to do the right things, at the right time to benefit the children.
Our Partners
Rotary International
Rotary’s main objective is service — in the community, in the workplace, and around the globe. The 1.2 million Rotarians who make up more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in nearly every country in the world share a dedication to the ideal of Service Above Self. Saving Little Hearts of Nicaragua (SLHON) has partnered with several Rotary Clubs that are foundational to its mission. These clubs include:
International Children’s Heart Foundation
One per cent (1%) of the world’s population is born with heart disease, making it the most common birth defect. Many congenital heart defects can be repaired with one surgical intervention, some require staged repairs.The International Children’s Heart Foundation strives to correct this unfortunate situation by: (1) providing direct care to as many children as possible in the short term; (2) sending medications, surgical supplies and diagnostic equipment to medical facilities in developing countries;and, (3) training surgeons and medical staff so they ultimately can provide care for their own people.
Fundación Corazon Abierto
Fundación Corazon Abierto‘s main objective is to provide appropriate treatment with a high level of specialization for Nicaraguan children suffering from cardiovascular problems. In the long term, we aim to create a National Referral Center of Cardiovascular Surgery for Children, including yearly diagnosis of congenital and acquired cardiopathies as well as their medical and/or surgical treatment to improve survival and quality of life.
Kaplan Early Learning Company
Kaplan Early Learning Company, located in Lewisville, North Carolina, is a leading international provider of products and services that enhance children’s learning. They have been a significant SLHON partner contributing over $75,000 in educational products to benefit the children of Nicaragua, in particular the communities in León.
Sessions Specialty Company
Sessions Specialty Company is a wholesale distributor located in Lewisville, North Carolina, that has been serving retailers nationwide for over 65 years. The company is a special partner of SLHON and has been and continues to be a supporter, a volunteer, and financial contributor to our missions and projects.
Forsyth Technical Community College
Echocardiology Interns from Forsyth Technical Community College are provided scholarships to go to León and conduct diagnostic echocardiograms and train local technicians. The results of these echocardiograms are then used by the WHO and other researchers to better define the true rate of Rheumatic Heart Disease and document the urgency in vaccine development.
Costco Warehouse
Costco Warehouse, located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has been a reliable partner by providing product contributions and volunteers to help support the many projects of SLHON.
Cancer Services
Cancer Services, located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, mission is “To enhance the quality of life for those living with cancer and to provide the gift of life through education.” This organization has been instrumental in supporting the mission of SLHON.
Other organizations that have partnered with Saving Little Hearts of Nicaragua include Project Help León and León Hospital Escuela “Oscar Danilo Rosales”.