Hope Through Healing Hands (HTHH) and Soles4Souls

Join Forces to Create "Hope4Schools"

Senator-Doctor Bill Frist's Hope Through Healing Hands joins Soles4Souls to provide shoes for

Central American, South American, and Caribbean children living in extreme poverty.

Nashville, TN -- Hope Through Healing Hands (HTHH), a nonprofit founded by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D., has announced a partnership with Nashville-based Soles4Souls to bring aid children living in extreme poverty in Central America, South America, and the Carribbean. 

Soles4Souls, an international charity that has distributed over 6 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes to people in need, both in the United States and around the world, has set up a website: www.hopeshoes.org to provide more information and to reserve sponsorships for new shoes.

"Shoes are integral to combating neglected tropical diseases, like podoconiosis and other soil-transmitted diseases, which disable, disfigure, and cause death to over 1.4 billion people around the world. Shoes are also necessary as a part of the school uniform in many countries. When a child living in extreme poverty receives a pair of shoes, you are offering her the opportunity for better health and an education," states Dr. Frist.

"We are honored to partner with Hope Through Healing Hands to benefit thousands of needy children in Central and South America," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. "Hope4School is a program that aims to give needy children the attire needed to attend public schools. A pair of new shoes is a simple way to provide access to an education and a better life for so many children," he said.

One out of five people living in the world today survive on less than $1 per day.  Over 20% of our fellow human beings are categorized as living in extreme poverty -- without electricity, running water or adequate clothing.  This includes footwear, which is a luxury item in many parts of the world.

Many diseases, infections and injuries are caused through cuts, abrasions and bacteria accumulated through the feet.  In many developing nations, the difference between receiving an education or being refused is simply a pair of shoes, the final hurdle to gain access to school because it qualifies the child as having an adequate school uniform.

In this way, a pair of shoes is much more than a covering for one's feet -- they are a ticket to a better future. 

About Hope Through Healing Hands

Hope Through Healing Hands is a Nashville-based 501(c) (3) that promotes improved quality of life for citizens and communities around the world using health as a currency for peace. HTHH supports health students and residents to do service and training in underserved clinics around the world. For more information, go to www.hopethroughhealinghands.org.

About Soles4Souls®

Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you.  The charity distributes these shoes free of charge to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 6 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently distributing one pair every 9 seconds). The shoes have been distributed in 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States.  Soles4Souls has been featured in Runner's World, Ladies' Home Journal, National Geographic's Green Guide and The New York Times. It has appeared on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, BBC, CNN and thousands of regional news outlets across North America. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Visit www.giveshoes.org to offer help and receive more information.

Contact:

Elizabeth Kirk, Soles4Souls, 615-391-5723, [email protected]

Jenny Dyer, Hope Through Healing Hands, 615-818-5579, [email protected]

 

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Hope Through Healing Hands (HTHH) and Soles4Souls

Partner to Create "Step Up Tennessee"

Senator-Doctor Bill Frist's Hope Through Healing Hands joins Soles4Souls to benefit over 100,000 Tennessee children in need of athletic shoes.

Nashville, TN -- Hope Through Healing Hands (HTHH), a nonprofit founded by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D., has announced a partnership with Nashville-based Soles4Souls to benefit over 100,000 Tennessee children who are in need of a good pair of athletic shoes. This number, based upon a random sample analysis conducted by the Department of Sociology at Vanderbilt University, represents a need in over 16% of Tennessee children in elementary and middle schools. The study was initiated and funded by both organizations.

Soles4Souls, the international charity that has distributed over 6 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes to people in need worldwide, has set up a fundraising website: www.hopeshoes.org to provide more information and to reserve sponsorships for new shoes.

"Providing shoes for children in need promotes wellness, physical education, and play; all key components for a strong, successful foundation in health and education. Fun exercise is one critical factor in combating childhood obesity and encouraging a healthier lifestyle," says Dr. Frist.

"We are honored to partner with Hope Through Healing Hands and work together to benefit needy children in Tennessee," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls.  "Step Up Tennessee is designed to provide a simple yet effective way for people to assist a child right here in our own state.  It's important that we offer real solutions to our neighbors at the same time we are reaching out to people around the world," he said.

A sponsorship of $20 from an individual or company will guarantee that an at-risk child in Tennessee will receive a new pair of athletic shoes.

About Hope Through Healing Hands

Hope Through Healing Hands is a Nashville-based 501(c) (3) that promotes improved quality of life for citizens and communities around the world using health as a currency for peace. HTHH supports health students and residents to do service and training in underserved clinics around the world. For more information, go to www.hopethroughhealinghands.org.

About Soles4Souls®

Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you.  The charity distributes these shoes free of charge to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 6 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently distributing one pair every 9 seconds). The shoes have been distributed in 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States.  Soles4Souls has been featured in Runner's World, Ladies' Home Journal, National Geographic's Green Guide and The New York Times. It has appeared on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, BBC, CNN and thousands of regional news outlets across North America. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Visit www.giveshoes.org to offer help and receive more information.

Contact:

Elizabeth Kirk, Soles4Souls, 615-391-5723, [email protected]

Jenny Dyer, Hope Through Healing Hands, 615-818-5579, [email protected]

 

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For immediate release: Laura Lefler Herzog, 202-224-3467
November 12, 2009

MEDIA ADVISORY

Senator Corker, Jars of Clay, Nashville Music Community Lead Efforts to Deliver Clean Water to the World

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., second-ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will hold an event at Belmont University on Monday, November 23 to highlight efforts to give millions around the world access to clean water and improved sanitation. Corker and Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Illinois, are sponsors of the Water for the World Act, S. 624, which sets a goal of reaching 100 million people with first-time, sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation by 2015. (See more on the bill below.)

Corker will be joined by Dr. Bob Fisher, President of Belmont University, as well as:

Jars of Clay, the Grammy award winning band which has launched Blood:Water Mission, a non-profit organization promoting clean blood and water in Africa.

Dave Barnes, a Nashville singer/songwriter involved with Mocha Club, an on-line community of people giving up the cost of two mochas a month - or $7 - to fund relief and development projects in Africa, including clean water.

Bill Hearn, the President and CEO of EMI Christian Music Group involved with Healing Waters International, a non-profit organization working to reduce water-related illness and death in developing countries.


WHO: U.S. SENATOR BOB CORKER, member of Senate Foreign Relations Committee
DR. BOB FISHER, President of Belmont University
JARS OF CLAY, Grammy award winning band who has launched Blood:Water Mission
DAVE BARNES, Nashville singer/songwriter involved with Mocha Club
BILL HEARN, President/CEO of EMI Christian Music Group involved with Healing Waters

WHAT: Water for the World Event
WHEN: Monday, November 23 at 10:30 a.m. CT
WHERE: Belmont University, lobby of the Gordon E. Inman Center

RSVP: Members of the media with questions and interest in attending the event should contact Laura Herzog at [email protected] or 202-224-3467.

All other individuals and organizations interested in attending should RSVP to Hallie Williams at [email protected] or 202-228-5515 by Friday, Nov. 20.


The Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2009, S.624

Sponsored by U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-TN) and Richard Durbin (D-IL)

Ten years ago the late Senator Paul Simon wrote the book "Tapped Out," which warned of the world's looming clean water crisis. His call for greater U.S. leadership on this issue led to the passage of the Water for the Poor Act of 2005, which has given millions of people access to clean water and improved sanitation. Yet our impact could be much greater.

Today almost 1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and two of every five people do not have access to basic sanitation. These conditions contribute to nearly 10 percent of the world's disease.

Each year 1.8 million people-90 percent of them children under the age of five-die from preventable diarrheal diseases. Diarrheal diseases and related malnutrition account for virtually all of the deaths and nearly 90 percent of the overall disease burden associated with unsafe water supply, sanitation, and hygiene.

Water scarcity hinders economic growth, limits the opportunities of women and girls to work or go to school, and has contributed to political unrest in Sudan and elsewhere. Water and poverty are inextricably linked.

According to the United Nations Development Program, every $1 invested in safe drinking water and sanitation produces an $8 return in costs averted and productivity gained. Water is the right place to invest in these difficult economic times.

In fiscal year 2007, the U.S. obligated more than $900 million for water- and sanitation-related activities in developing countries. As a result, millions of people gained improved access to safe drinking water and sanitation, water resources are being managed more wisely and productively, and many communities are enjoying greater water security. In addition, nearly 2 million people gained first-time access to an improved water source, and more than 1.5 million gained first-time access to basic sanitation. We can do more.

To strengthen U.S. leadership on this critical issue, U.S. Sens. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and Richard Durbin, D-Ill., have introduced the Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2009, S.624, which sets a goal of reaching 100 million people with first-time, sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation by 2015.

The bill implements recommendations made by the Center for Strategic & International Studies in their recently released report, "Global Water Futures." The bill would expand safe water and sanitation efforts in priority countries, promote research and technology development, and improve training and technical assistance to help meet the water needs of the world's poor. It would also increase capacity and sharpens the focus at USAID and the U.S. state department to implement these activities.

Corker and Durbin introduced the Water for the World Act on March 17, 2009 and it has been referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Specifically, the bill would:
-Establish an Office of Water within USAID,
-Establish the Bureau of International Water under the Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs,
-Require a revisit of or the development of a strategy to meet water security goals,
-Establish a water and sanitation managers program in every priority country to train local leaders in best practices,
-Provide grants for low cost and sustainable technologies suitable for high priority countries, and
-Require an assessment of current and future political tensions over water resources and the expected impacts of climate change on water accessibility.


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Todd Womack
Chief of Staff
U. S. Senator Bob Corker

Nyamata, Rwanda: Today

Although the Rwandan genocide occurred fifteen years ago, I see its impacts everyday in the hospital. The region I live in was an area of great violence. There is a memorial site here in Nyamata were 10,000 people crammed into a small church seeking refuge, only to be killed. It is hard to believe that the reserved, kind spirited people I know went through such a horrible event.
To be a practitioner in Guatemala, one needs to find harmony between western and traditional medicine. I had never thought about or tried natural herbal medicine before coming to Guatemala. Though I still don't usually recommend it to my patients, I have begun exploring the natural remedies so that I can hopefully help my patients to navigate their own health. The women's program teaches patients that if their symptoms do not improve after two days of at home treatment with herbal remedies, they need to go to the doctor for medication.
FROM Kaiser Family Foundation: The Foundation has issued its latest global health survey, Views on the U.S. Role in Global Health Update, which probes American public opinion about efforts by the United States to improve the health of people in developing nations. According to the poll findings, most Americans support current U.S. spending to improve health conditions in poorer nations despite the economic recession. Two thirds of the public supports maintaining (32%) or increasing (34%) spending on global health, while a quarter say the country is spending too much. More of the public prefers an emphasis on health infrastructure rather than fighting specific diseases. When asked to rank the importance of the two approaches, 58 percent say it is more important to emphasize programs that help countries build their health system infrastructure, under the theory that stronger health systems can better handle a variety of problems. In contrast, 36 percent say it is more important to emphasize efforts to fight specific diseases like AIDS and malaria because efficient methods for treating such diseases already exist and can save large numbers of lives. All the survey materials are available online.

This is interesting and great news given our economic climate that the majority of Americans still care deeply about helping those with the fewest resources worldwide. I find intriguing that the American public has marched forward from embracing the issues of HIV/AIDS and the global pandemic, or malaria and the need for bednets, to realizing the need for health systems, working together, to build infrastructure for smart, efficient use of assistance. Health systems and health infrastructure are far from sexy topics, but that is what is needed and needed now.

by Bill Frist, M.D.

A couple weeks back, the Living Proof Project was unveiled in Washington, D.C. by Bill and Melinda Gates. The goal of this great project is to share the good news of the implementation of assistance. U.S. investments in improving global health are delivering real results. From significant declines in child deaths, to global eradication efforts against polio, to insecticide-treated bed nets that reduce malaria transmission, global health initiatives are working. At http://www.gatesfoundation.org/livingproofproject you can learn more from their progress sheets. Watch the speeches of these "Impatient Optimists."  I have the pleasure of serving on the Advisory Council.
 
The video below was shown yesterday at a Save the Children Survive to Five Council meeting in NYC. This is a great example of real results, combating infant mortality. Saving the life of a little one.

 

The end of October marked the end of my first quarter here at Africare and the start of the second quarter seems to have brought with it all types of change. In the office we are currently in the midst of several big changes, the biggest being the addition of a new CDC funded home-based care project. Africare will work with some small Civil Service Organizations and existing community structures to provide home-based care for people living with HIV/AIDS. The start up of this project has required a lot of time and energy, including interviewing for about 20 new positions. With between five and ten candidates being interviewed for each position, you can imagine that this has been a very time consuming process. Everyone from the Country Representative, to the program's Chief of Party, to the junior staff has been pitching in to assist in the interviewing process. I've been working very closely with the Human Resources Officer to test the candidates' practical skills, compile summaries of interview results, and create briefings of panel recommendations to be reviewed and approved by the Country Representative and our headquarters in Washington, D.C. I even had the opportunity to sit on the interview panel for a few of the positions and it was quite a different experience being the interviewer instead of the interviewee. One of the new staff that has been hired is the new Program Assistant, Gloria.

by Bill Frist, M.D.

Yesterday morning, I had the honor of speaking at both services at Christ Church in Nashville. Over 5000 people attended. The services were dedicated to the doctors and nurses in the community, recognizing all health care workers for their healing care. It was a wonderful opportunity to share the work of Hope Through Healing Hands at home and abroad. As you know, HTHH's selects Global Health Leaders, annually, to travel to underserved clinics around the world to bolster health care and training of community health workers for sustainability. Right now, we have Leaders in Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, and Guatemala. We are proud to support their efforts, using health as a currency for peace. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly."

Thanks to all at Christ Church for the warm welcome.

 

 

Today, I joined Save the Children, the US Coalition for Child Survival, the World Pneumonia Day Coalition and Vicks at a breakfast reception on Capitol Hill to recognize the first annual World Pneumonia Day, a day for people everywhere to turn awareness into action to control the #1 killer of children under age 5: pneumonia. Each year, a disease which often starts as a cold, claims the lives of nearly 2 million children under age 5 -- more than malaria, AIDS and measles combined. Despite this staggering death toll, childhood pneumonia has never been a global health priority, and the current basic maternal child health programs --that need to be in place to control the disease-- are under-funded.

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