Project Concern International (PCI), based in San Diego, CA, works in Asia, the Americas and Africa to bring better health and hope to children living in poverty. In 1961, a young doctor from San Diego, Dr. Jim Turpin, volunteered at a Tijuana, Mexico clinic, and saved two children who were dying of pneumonia.

Dr. Turpin later formed PCI and moved his family to Hong Kong to open a floating clinic that offered basic medical services to the residents of Kowloon. Today, PCI works in Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Guatemala, Bolivia, Peru, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Mexico.

PCI provides health and poverty solutions worldwide by preventing disease, responding to the HIV/AIDS crisis, combating world hunger and malnutrition, improving child survival and maternal child health, delivering immunizations and offering humanitarian aid.

Below are some examples of PCI’s work:

El Salvador - PCI has worked in El Salvador since 1994. After Hurricane Mitch in 1998, shelter, health services, food, clean water and sanitation services were provided. In rural areas, clean water and sanitation systems have been constructed. PCI has worked to help to diversify and enhance agricultural practices and livestock production.

Botswana- Over 17% of all adults are infected with HIV/AIDS virus. PCI has worked to improve coordination between service providers, tailoring interventions to be age-appropriate, strengthening the skills of parents and guardians in caring for their children. PCI works to raise awareness on getting tested for HIV, starting treatment early, and accessing other treatments.

Information on donating, volunteering, and other program details can be found on their website.