The project

The first project "Un Canto A La Vida" and Help-for-Hope engaged on together was the construction of surgery room #4, the centerpiece of the new hospital. The surgery room #4 will measure just over 38 sqm, and will be the largest of four surgery rooms.

It will be placed on the second floor, hence it is expected to be finalized after installations are in place on the lower floors (plan: 2009). Picture to the right showing basic structure of the room (early 2008)

The choice was guided by the wish to generate a sustainable impact through your donations, with a facility that would be core to the hospital in the years to come.

• The costs: total costs of surgery room #4 are of USD 202’306. Thereof, USD 179’290 (89%) go to the purchase of medical equipment. For this equipment, the hospital has secured government funding form the Italian and Spanish governments (partially in the context of the “debt-for-social equity” swap for part of Ecuador’s external debt). The remainder USD 23’016 include all other essential works to make the surgery room fully operational (installations, electricity, lighting, finishing works, etc). This is the part Help-for-Hope has engaged to raise funds for. Total amount aimed for (based on past average exchange rates) is CHF 30'000.

• Current fundraising status: your generous contributions during 2005 have raised CHF 23'245. THANK YOU ! This is an excellent result off-the-bat. Full coverage of the CHF 30'000 amount has been achieved with donations amounting to CHF 6'755 during the first half of 2007.

• The works : the project was started with a medium-term timeline in mind, as the surgery room #4 will be situated on an upper floor of the hospital. Ground-level constructions have been completed at the end of 2006 (see articles), and construction and installation of the surgery room #4 will be undertaken during 2007-2008. Completion date is expected for 2009.

• Next steps: in line with its philosophy of dedicated funds and targeted investments, Help-for-Hope has agreed with the hospital's management to delay payment of the raised funds until early 2007, when construction have effectively started. These funds have been paid in two milestone payments upon beginning of the construction works.

• Results: as a small token of recognition by the hospital, once the surgery room is operational it will carry a commemorative plate in sign of recognition of your generous sponsorship. And more importantly, the legacy of a fully operational (and much needed) surgery room will become reality. Pictures to follow upon completion of the project.