Hi, I'm John Chaides!
www.jmchaidesphotos.com
Instagram: JMChaides_Photography
The Rock. To these people, it is an anchor to humanity. A Healing Heart Story: La Roca y Nueva Aurora showcases the work of the nonprofit Healing Hearts Across Borders (HHAB) in conjunction with La Roca Ministries. Founded in 2001, HHAB's mission is to, “...bring the most under-resourced people of Tijuana healing for the body and heart...” They mobilize medical professionals and volunteers from all over Southern California to set up free medical clinics for marginalized people who would not/or barely receive any medical care.
I started documenting the medical clinics in 2016 and have continued to do so since. Each clinic trip is run the same and has the same stations but no two clinics are the same. Throughout my time documenting the clinics I have seen care for children with life-threatening ailments such as uncontrolled Type 1 diabetes to an HIV-positive patient that hospitals wouldn’t admit who had an infection migrate into his knees rendering him incapable of walking. Each of these patients received the care that they needed and that we could provide. All of them are success stories, the HIV patient was later able to be admitted to a hospital because of receiving our care for continued care and was walking the next time we saw him, the child with Type 1 diabetes has his A1C under control and was provided with an insulin pump from HHAB and Medtronic.
Documenting the clinics has been a satisfying experience for the soul. Even though I have no medical background and have no intention of pursuing the field, being able to tell the stories of the patients, providers, and volunteers through my photographs is my way of giving back to those in need. HHAB is a 501(c)(3) non-profit where money donated goes to direct patient care. Donations can be made to Healing Hearts Across Borders.
A Healing Heart Story: La Roca y Nueva Aurora
