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Families with a handicapped child are the most vulnerable community in the very poor region of Northern Peru. Since 2008, RBC of Michigan has been dedicated to reducing the crushing effects of poverty in the lives of families with one or more handicapped children. Providing a nutrition supplement of 50% of the monthly nutritional needs of 200 families. They receive a 70,000 calorie basket of rice, lentils, and cooking oil. Most of these families receiving aid can't explain how they are fed after the supplement is expended. They're in a semi-desert region that borders the foot hills of the Andes Mountains. Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for a single mother to return to her home after taking her child to physical therapy to discover her house robbed.

Each month, RBC of Michigan delivers rice based on each family member’s caloric needs. We supply approximately 48,000 pounds of rice per year. That translates to a staggering 85 million calories provided annually. By working with local health care clinics and churches, we provide limited healthcare services to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. With your support we can provide more healthcare.

Every penny contributed to our mission goes directly to the families our organization works with. If you’re ready to get involved, keep reading to learn how you can help.

My name is James “Jim” Bertelson. I am a 6 ½ year veteran of US Navy SEAL Team, and a former USCG Merchant Marine officer. My military service included graduation from Defense Language Institute as a Spanish linguist. This professional experience enabled me to manage a few kidnap and ransom negotiations and a few commercial extortions in a variety of Latin American countries. These work environments all share a common thread of reliability and integrity. They are environments where outcomes have severe consequence.

In 2008 while living in France I was asked by French Christians to facilitate a visit to a physical therapy organization since I spoke both French and Spanish. During that visit I spent several weeks immersed in the operation of Rehabilitacion Basada en la Comunidad (Commuinty Based Rehabilitation). At that time they 250 handicapped children and young adults. They were providing 11,000 physical therapy sessions on a budget of US$11,000 annually. There were parents who improvised orthopedic devices from bicycle parts, RBC employees who created hair clips at home to sell in order to raise money for the project. It was quite surprising to see the ingenuity and energy being invested in the hundreds of handicapped individuals being served. Deisy and the walker from bicycle her father improvised captured my heart.

I have been privileged to facilitate the donations of friends, co-workers and others of US$ 130,000 since 2008. This sum on represents a contribution to each child of $2.79 each month. The promise is that every penny is spent on the clients. Wire transfer fees and other costs are not paid with donation funds. However gasoline is purchased used to deliver “nutrition baskets” and a meal for workers who deliver several tons of food each month.

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RWOC

21342 Capital Ave NE

Battle Creek MI 49017