Medical Ambassadors International
501(c)(3) religious non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of California, U.S.[1] | |
Focus | Health and healing for vulnerable communities around the world |
---|---|
Location |
|
Area served | 40 countries directly and an additional 35 countries through partners |
Method | Holistic community transformational movements through participatory development processes that build on community ownership to foster sustainability |
Key people | Dr Ravi I. Jayakaran (President/CEO) Dr. Stephen Belton (Chairperson Int'l Board) |
Revenue | US $2.57 million (2016)[3] |
Employees | 208 (2017) |
Volunteers | 50,022 |
Website | www |
Medical Ambassadors International (MAI) is a non-profit, non-denominational development organization that assists poor communities in developing countries using Community Health Education (CHE) programs. MAI was founded in 1980 by Raymond Benson and now serves over 70 countries.
History
Benson worked in South Vietnam until its
At the end of Calhoun's 17-year tenure, the mission strategy of Community Health Education (CHE) had entered 65 countries in 315 projects, reaching 1,212 villages. Moreover, MAI had equipped 153 training teams from other agencies and ten such agencies had formed strategic partnerships with MAI, adopting CHE as a prime strategy. Now, MAI assisted communities in improving their health as well as teaching them other vital skills and knowledge. The leadership of MAI was actively positioning CHE to become a worldwide movement, a tool used extensively in many developing nations. Dr. Robert Paul became MAI's new director.
However, this shift in strategy created confusion, as many thought that MAI assisted in health clinics, whereas they were now focused on education and prevention in regards to health. As a result, in 2006, MAI changed its name to LifeWind International, so as to address these issues of confusion between its name and its work.[5] During the Great Recession, LifeWind suffered substantial losses of donors and was near bankruptcy. It was able to regain its footing after the recession and it continued to expand its reach globally. It also returned to its original name due to greater name recognition.[6]
When Paul resigned from MAI, the LifeWind International Board of Directors requested Dr. John and Madelle Payne return from Nairobi, Kenya, where they served as MAI's East Africa Regional Coordinators, to lead the work. They assumed leadership in July 2009.[6]
Over time, new programs were developed with Women's Cycle of Life, Disability CHE, and others. MAI continued to cooperate with other organizations, leading to the formation of a global CHE network.
The Paynes retired in June 2017 and began a part-time position as MAI Advancement Facilitators. The Board Search Committee offered the President's role to Dr. Ravi Jayakaran, who was working as a strategic development leader with the e3Partners and I Am Second organizations in Texas. In 2017, Dr. Ravi Jayakaran took over as president of MAI.
Community Health Education
CHE is a program dedicated to educating communities to identify their problems and solve them with little to no outside influence. CHE's goal is a
References
- ^ "Medical Ambassadors International". ProPublica. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
- ^ "Medical Ambassadors International". ECFA. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
- ^ "About Us". Medical Ambassadors International. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
- ^ "Open Yearbook: Medical Ambassadors International". Union of International Associations. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
- ^ a b Nowicki, Sue (November 30, 2013). "Retired Modesto doctor helps keep nonprofit from failing; Medical Ambassadors reaching more people than ever". The Modesto Bee. Retrieved 10 August 2018.