Projects Accomplishments
2022
APM Barcelona and ASFi France face to face sessions have resumed.
The North India Mission in Boghagaya, led by Dr. Mené, is still going strong despite our dear colleague Krisna’s passing away.
The South India Mission has been completed. The last class at the Bathalapalli Hospital was conducted a few months before Covid, coinciding with the completion of ten years’ teaching of rural physicians in the Anantapur district.
In 2022, the ASFi meeting was held in the north of France. The work evaluation survey results were presented for the various ASFi missions (in Burkina Faso, Togo, Anantapur, Bodhgaya, etc.) A new ASFi group in North France presented the report on a key mission in Cambodia.
2021
After experiencing the impact of several Covid waves of infection throughout 2020, those periods of isolation have brought us some surprises, among which we can see the application of a wide range of digital possibilities for virtual meetings.
Although face-to-face meetings are our desire for the future, this year our online ASFi has at least allowed us to see each other’s faces. Among the decisions taken at the meeting, we would like to stress that the Spanish group, through Dr. Betina Nishishinya, has been commissioned to prepare a poll on the work of ASFi missions promoted in Burkina Faso, Togo, Anantapur, Bodhgaya and elsewhere.
Furthermore, since January we have resumed the health care activity at the Santa Lluïsa de Marillac Center in Barcelona. We wish to welcome Dr. Rebeca Cardenas and Dr. Anna Dalmau to our medical team.
Another important piece of information is that Dr. Mene will give a conference at the Acupuncture Congress in CFMTC (Confédération française de Médecine Traditionnelle Chinoise) à Aix en Provence (France), in which he will highlight the on-site care assistance our NGO has been carrying out for the last 8 years.
2020
The unavoidable entrance of COVID-19 into our lives obliged our NGO to respect health recommendations for isolation and precaution, the reason we temporarily suspended the various activities we had been carrying out in ANATAPUR (Southern India) and BODHAGAYA (Northern India).
We also cancelled our annual concert, our health care activity at the Santa Lluïsa de Marillac and Llar de Pau Centers for the Homeless as well as our ASFi meeting which was scheduled in Perpignan, France.
Acupuncture for the World, however, has not been at a standstill. We have used this time to take stock of our activities in India and to assess the impact of our care work at the homeless centers in Barcelona.
2019
Acupuncture training at Bathalapalli Hospital
This August 2019 three medical acupuncturists (Maite Fuertes, Cristina Domingo and Isabel Giralt) went to Bathalapalli Hospital ( Fundación Vicente Ferrer ) to teach Medical Acupuncture . We have 6 rural doctors of the Foundation as students and Dr. Kannan, director of the palliative area, as well .
We talked about treatments for insomnia, dyspnea, gastralgias, sinusitis, nausea, vomiting and digestive pain. Also how to treat musculoskeletal pain, ciatalgia and talalgia, as well as headaches, migraines and hemiplegia. We have reviewed auriculotherapy treatments and how to use the electric stimulator, moxas and cupping.
In addition, we have practiced puncture by treating more than 150 patients in the afternoons after the morning classes and we have visited the area of physiotherapy to treat some patients in that area.
On the last day we visited Dr. Chandra Mohau's Narpala clinic and saw the work of this rural Doctor and his advances using Acupuncture as a very useful tool in his health work.
In a meeting with Dr. Kannan, he told us he is very interested in continuing with Acupuncture training for future promotions of anesthesiologists and physiotherapists at Bathalapalli Hospital. He proposes to open a new training group next summer in a new Mission of Acupuntura para el Mundo.
Sister Anne Ferrer welcomed us as always at the end of our work, she was happy with our work and pleased to know that Dr. Kannan is willing to enhance the practice of Acupuncture in the Bathalapalli Hospital.
We are very grateful to Fundación Vicente Ferrer that always is ready to make our work more easy and useful.
Concert May 2019
At the Centro Artesà Tradicionàrius on May 23, 2019 Acupuncture for the World promoted a magnificent Swing concert. The SHAKING´ALL musical group formed by seven excellent musicians, kept the dance rhythm all the time without stopping.
Among the friends, family, patients, fellow professionals, members of the management of the Maria Lluisa de Marillac Center, a couple of students of the Acupuncture Master appeared, expert Swing dancers who managed to infect everyone present with their skills.
We want to thank once again the solidarity shown, both for those who attended the event, and for all those who supported us from the zero row. Your company pushes us to continue the teaching work that we are doing so dearly.
The farewell voice placing us "until next year" has undoubtedly been the best support to continue our project.
Thank you all
APM
2018
Mission Bodhgaya 2018
From September 23 to 29, 2018 we have given the last phase of group formation in Bodhgaya. The 8 students are 8, doctors, nurses and physiotherapists, they already have a level of knowledge that allows them to treat the main and painful pathologies.
All work in the NGO KARUNA, directed by Mathieu Ricard, who works in the field of health and rural development.
We have obtained for Dr. Jaya a scholarship to study in China. Upon her return, she will help us as an assistant professor to start a new cycle of Acupuncture teaching to new healthcare professionals.
This fulfills one of our objectives: that it is the professionals of the area who help to train future promotions
6th cycle of classes of the 2nd mission at Bathallapalli Hospital
In January 2018 we carried out our sixth cycle of classes for the second teaching mission at the Bathallapalli Hospital of the Vicente Ferrer Foundation in India.
Attending were ten students, four from a previous cycle and five from the current cycle, as well as Dr. Kannan , Chief of Palliative Care at the Bathallapalli Hospital .
The interpreter, Mrs. Srimaty, worked impeccably and tirelessly with her high level of skill to help us transmit our teachings to the participating students.
The professors for this cycle were Dr. Natalia Eres and Dr. Isabel Giralt.
The course began on 2 January 2018 in the afternoon and finished on 6 January midday. The theoretical part was given in the morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the practice sessions took place from 3 to 6 p.m. More than thirty patients received pain treatment, thus the students could practice their new knowledge.
Training classes on pain and palliative care
In January of this year, we conducted a week-long all day acupuncture course focusing on pain and palliative care at the Hospital of Bathalapalli.
These classes represented the end of our second acupuncture group and also a review and an elaboration on material for the previous group. On this occasion we were pleased to have with us Dr. Kannan, Director of Palliative Services for the Foundation that has joined our projects in India.
Thanks to our work since 2010, we can currently assure that at least nine physicians from the Vicente Ferrer Foundation are able to use acupuncture safely and in a complementary manner for low-income people and those in poor health in the Andhra Pradesh rural areas. These people are mainly peasants from the lowest caste, the Dalits or the untouchables. Although the caste system has been abolished by law in India, it still has considerable influence and enormous consequences on social, labor, economic as well as health issues.
We are proud of our students’ work and that of our professors and, of course, for the support we have received from friends, colleagues and private individuals in order to carry out this project that is giving important results.
Together with the Vicente Ferrer Foundation, we are planning to begin a new acupuncture group for health care personnel in the summer of 2019 and to go on with further study and continuous training for the students who have been studying with the projects.
2017
5th Teaching Cycle, August 2017: Pain Treatment
During the month of August 2017, instructors Dr. Maite Fuertes and Dr. Carlos Prats conducted the classes for the 5th Cycle of the second Acupuncture Mission to healthcare professionals at the Vicente Ferrer Foundation in India.
All the students attended, showing great interest to make the most of the theory and practice sessions, in which more than 150 patients from rural villages were helped throughout the course.
During this cycle, the translator Mrs. Shri put all her knowledge of Spanish into maintaining the level of the classes, with a very encouraging overall result for the future of our students.
Solidary buffet
On June 1st a benefit event took place at the beautiful Casa Orlandai in Sarrià, Barcelona. We organized a buffet of snacks and appetizers to raise funds for our trips to India as well as for the material needed for treating the homeless people we visit in Barcelona.
The music of Erik Satie and Jorge Sarraute - played by Jorge and sung by Mariona Castelar- , the fados sung by Claudia Cabero, and the unusual instrumental pieces by Pep Pascual all made for a pleasant, intimate evening full of cheer and even a bit of dancing.
We also had the good fortune to have with us Mr. Lancy Dodem , the first children to be sponsored by the Vicente Ferrer Foundation. Now grown up and living and working in Barcelona, he gave us some insight into his experiences.
We are very thankful for the show of solidarity by all those who attended as well as those who donated to “Table Zero”.
This time the venue was very charming but a bit small so not everybody who wanted to was able to attend. No need to worry: in future we will be holding more events in larger locales.
Thank you to everybody!
2nd Cycle 10-15 February: Pain treatment
The course was attended by all ten students (eight men and two women) who participated in the first cycle in 2016.
The program dealt with the treatment of Lumbosciatica and Sinusitis.
It was a very pleasant seminar, thanks to the great interest shown by all the students.
During the period between cycles, all the students had treated patients in varying intensity, some managing to treat up to 70 patients per day.
Overall, the knowledge from the first cycle has been well assimilated.
Throughout this second cycle the students made great progress; we have observed that they will be able to properly treat lumbosciatica and sinusitis.
The next seminar will take place October 10th-15th, 2017. The topic will be the treatment of pain in shoulders and limbs.
One of our goals is for a couple of our best students to be able to take on the training of future new students.
We would especially like to thank the person responsible for sponsoring the mission, Dominique Rojeau.
We are also grateful to Mathieu Ricard for his complete trust in us despite a complete lack of familiarity with the world of acupuncture.
Our thanks to Bodhgaya Shamsul for his unwavering support.
And also thanks to Dr. Balkrishna Maganlal whose Indian origin, his knowledge of acupuncture and the language as well as his charisma make him a great teacher.
4th Cycle of the Second Mission in ANANTAPUR, India
In January of this year (2017), Professors Dr. Maite Fuertes, Dr. Isabel Giralt and Dr. Carlos Prats conducted the acupuncture classes for healthcare professionals during the 4th cycle of the second mission to the Vicente Ferrer Foundation in India.
These classes took place at the Nursing School of Bathalapalli Hospital and were attended by healthcare professionals who work at various health clinics in the rural areas of the Anantapur district.
Every afternoon the clinics filled with patients for the students to carry out their practicum. The interpreting work from Spanish to Telugu was done by Mrs. Sreemathi and, thanks to her, the theory lectures and practicum went smoothly and pleasantly.
At the same time, we had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Kannam, Director of the Palliative Treatment Service at the Bathalapalli Hospital , to plan the next session of Continuous Education in Pain Treatment for their therapy unit.
Meeting of the Board of Acupuncture without Borders International, In St Didier de la Tour, France
At the end of this month of January (2017), the annual meeting of the Board of Directors of Acupuncture without Borders International took place.
The presidents of those groups subscribed to the organization attended to explain the details of the missions they have been carrying out during the year.
There was also a debate on the need of signing a legal liability disclaimer by the volunteers who decide to join missions in areas of conflict.
Finally, the acupuncture needle company Marco Polo will donate needles free of charge to missions that need them.
2016
Outside Work
In February, we have made the annual "Acupuncture sans Frontières" association to which we belong. It was in Geneva. We assited in a very interesting discussion about ethnomedicine.
Mission in India, Anantapur in the summer 2016
Dra. Fuertes and Dra. Dolors Ruiz will be the instructors for Acupuncture for the World’s third cycle course given to health care professionals at the Vicente Ferrer Foundation in Anantapur.
Mission in India North
Dr. Mene make an exploratory visit to the hospital Bodagaya u¡in the north of India, to organize another possible new mission of health education soon.
Work at Home
Welfare and Therapeutic Work in Barcelona and Girona
Acupuncture for the World is continuing with its welfare work at the Obra Social Santa Lluïsa de Marillac Center in the Barceloneta district of Barcelona. The initiative has been in operation for over three years.
For the past year we have also been working in Girona at the Llar de Pau, a center dedicated to women without financial resources, and at LaSopa, a shelter and social services center.
At all three centers there are free acupuncture sessions for people at risk of social exclusion. The acupuncture therapeutic care we offer them is comprised of treatment for pain and, in most cases, the recovery of a psycho-physical balance to face complicated life situations such as insomnia, nervousness and anguish.
Concert...
2015
India
Acupuncture classes at the Vicente Ferrer Foundation in the summer of 2015
On August 15-16, 2015, Dr. Fina Montalà and Dr. Isabel Giralt began their classes at the Nursing Training Hall of the Bathalapalli Hospital with the students who have already graduated from the program, with the aim of carrying out continuing education and an in-depth specialization for their acupuncture skills.
Six physicians and eight nurses attended the course which consisted of a review of pain treatment and gynecology. There was also a review of the clinical cases of patients who are being treated in rural work areas.
From August 18-22, Dr. Montalà and Dr. Giralt once again returned to Bathalapalli Hospital to start up their new acupuncture cycle course for seven students, all physicians, from the Vicente Ferrer Foundation.
During these days, the new group was taught the basic concepts of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, as well as some of the most important points for treating knee pain, one of the most prevalent pathologies in this community.
They also performed practice on actual patients from the third day onwards, treating a total of ten patients; the students wrote up the case histories and the instructors treated the patients.
All the classes, as usual, were given in Spanish and Mrs. Sri worked impeccably and tirelessly to translate all of the explanations into Telugu (the official language of the Anantapur region).
At the end of 2015, Dr. Obdulia Parra and Dr. Ester Segura will be travelling to India to carry on with both groups of students.
After three years of training
After three years of training, our students have successfully completed their course in “Treating Pain with Acupuncture”. We want to carry on with the teaching supervision by conducting annual follow-up courses.
For both Mrs. Anne Ferrer and Dr. Kannan , the director of the Bathalapalli Hospital - which served as the meeting and study centre for the course - there is a feeling of pride and joy upon seeing the interest the students have in practicing this form of medicine.
We are currently discussing the best dates to start this continuous training.
The possibility of starting up another mission at the same hospital for a new group of students is also being studied.
Cambodia
Cambodia is a country that has suffered greatly since the genocide perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge between 1971 and 1975 causing the deaths of 1.7 million Cambodians. This country is in total rebuild.
From the moment of the first interviews with a Cambodian NGO carried out by the exploratory mission, a large number of health care professionals have asked to be trained in “Treating Pain with Acupuncture”.
In July of this year, Dr. Mené and Dr. Sophany-Heapse will travel to Pompeu to carry out the 1st Training Course.
Welfare and Therapeutic Work in Barcelona and Girona
Acupuncture for the World is continuing with its welfare work at the Obra Social Santa Lluïsa de Marillac Center in the Barceloneta district of Barcelona. The initiative has been in operation for over three years.
For the past year we have also been working in Girona at the Llar de Pau, a center dedicated to women without financial resources, and at LaSopa, a shelter and social services center.
At all three centers there are free acupuncture sessions for people at risk of social exclusion. The acupuncture therapeutic care we offer them is comprised of treatment for pain and, in most cases, the recovery of a psycho-physical balance to face complicated life situations such as insomnia, nervousness and anguish.
Annual Board Meeting of the “Acupuncture sans Frontières” (Acupuncture Without Borders) ASFi
This year we attended the ASFi Board Meeting which was held in Porto.
Ten European delegations (representing Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France – including Paris, Perpignan, China - and Spain) met and shared information about their numerous missions. This year the ASF Geneva Committee presented their documentary “Le Hote et le invitée” which includes interviews and shows the work of the delegations in South America, Asia and Africa.
It was decided that the next meeting will be held in Barcelona on the 13th-14th of February, 2015. On Friday afternoon and Saturday morning there will be work sessions. On Saturday the 14th in the afternoon there will be a round table discussion, “Colloquium on Complementary Medicine Humanitarian Actions”, with the aim of bringing together physicians, acupuncturists and health care professionals interested in solidarity through acupuncture and to raise awareness of the missions that the delegations are carrying out around the world.
The 5th concert
On May 19, 2015 the 5th Acupuncture for the World concert was held to collect funds for our acupuncture teaching missions as well as to meet up again with our friends who love Acupuncture for the World and have always given us their support.
As you will see in the video, Acupuncture for the World President Dr. Maite Fuertes shared information about our NGO’s latest activities, followed by actor Lluís Homar’s reading of the Lluís Llach poem “Venim del nord venim del sud “ (We come from the North, we come from the South) to remind us that we are all one family no matter where we come from. The music was entrusted to singer Aurel Aubert and her band Martinez & cpn, who delighted everyone in the Teatre Apolo with their blues and jazz repertoire.
With this video, we wish to show our appreciation to all those who worked to make this sensational concert possible.
Thank you very much!
2014
1 Mission in Cambodia. Second Cycle. December 2014
Dra. Fuertes and nurse Mrs. Sophanny were the instructors for Acupuncture for the World’s second cycle course given to health care professionals in the capital city of Phnom Penh.
Dr. Lak Leng, president of KYPA, our local NGO counterpart, offered us all the professional attention and courtesy necessary for the successful development of these classes.
It was a very beneficial course for the 26 participants attending, who began their study of the Energy Channels as well as the understanding of the main principles of acupuncture.
2 Mission in India, Anatapur 2010-2014
We have completed our first mission in Anantapur, India.
In December 2013 and January 2014, Dr. Maite Fuertes and Dr. Josefina Montala carried out the final training cycle for health care professionals at the Vicente Ferrer Foundation in India.
Seventeen students graduated out of the twenty-two who began their studies in 2010.
We also spent a day visiting the rural dispensary run by our student, Dr. Saif, to see him at work, where he does more than 30 acupuncture sessions a day. We were witness to his professionalism while we listened to his patients explain the improvement they experienced with chronic knee and back pain. He also gave effective neurological treatments for hemiplegia and facial paralysis.
For both Mrs. Anne Ferrer and Dr. Kannan, the director of the Bathalapalli Hospital - which served as the meeting and study centre for the course - there is a feeling of pride and joy upon seeing the interest the students have in practicing this form of medicine. They have asked us to do continuous training as well as study the possibility of starting up another mission for a new group of students from the Foundation.
The objective of our mission has been achieved. The next step will be to help the students with their continuous training.
2013
1. Mission in Anantapur, India
In July 2013, Dr. Isabel Giralt and Dr. Ester Segura carried out the 5th Training Course in “Treating Pain with Acupuncture”.
In December 2013, Dr. Maite Fuertes and Dr. Fina Montalà taught the 6th Training Course in “Treating Pain with Acupuncture”.
The first training mission in Anantapur, India has been completed.
At the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014, Dr. Maite Fuertes and Dr. Josefina Montalà completed the final training course for health care professionals of the Vicente Ferrer Foundation in India.
After three years, seventeen passed the course, out of the twenty-two students who began the studies in 2010.
We spent a day visiting the rural dispensary run by our student, Dr. Saif, to see him at work, where he does more than 30 acupuncture sessions a day. We were witness to his professionalism while we listened to his patients explain the improvement they experienced with chronic knee and back pain. He also gave effective neurological treatments, for instance for hemiplegia and facial paralysis.
Talking with both Mrs. Anne Ferrer and Dr. Kannan, we see that our objective has been achieved. The next step will be to help the students with their continuous training.
2. Barcelona
Marillac Mission
Is a medical acupuncture care project, part of the Obra Social Santa Lluïsa de Marillac of Barcelona.
For the last year, Acupuncture for the World has been performing free acupuncture treatment to people at risk of social exclusion at the Obra Social Santa Lluïsa de Marillac Center in the Barceloneta district of Barcelona.
At this center, employees and volunteers work with the firm belief that all people have an inviolable right to dignity no matter what their situation in life is and try to act in a simple, comforting and realistic way by working as a team and promoting solidarity and joint responsibility.
At Can Marillac in the Barceloneta district of Barcelona, the acupuncture physicians who participate regularly are treating people with respiratory problems, post-operative recovery, anxiety, insomnia, and so on. Acupuncture for the World feels at home in this environment and realizes that there are problems of social exclusion and poverty very close to home.
In this respect, our association belongs to the "Citizen Agreement for an Inclusive Barcelona”, a work area shared among a group of associations, organizations and the city government with the common goal of making Barcelona more inclusive and showing solidarity.
Llar La Pau
Twice monthly, Acupuncture for the World visits and treats upon request women who live at the Barcelona Llar de Pau Convalescence Center, run by the Daughters of Charity.
This center takes in women who suffer from health problems which could be dealt with by home health care but – given the social, economic or family situations they experience – they are residing at the Llar de Pau so that their basic needs as well as the follow-up of their recovery process are met.
Acupuncture for the World offers its services to treat pain, anxiety and to help kick drug dependencies, among other problems. We stand by these people with therapeutic techniques as well as with a friendly ear and compassion.
3. Girona
La Sopa
For some months now, the Girona chapter of Acupuncture for the World has been offering free acupuncture treatment at La Sopa – a center supported by the Girona and Salt City Governments – which shelters and gives social services to the homeless and people in extreme poverty or social exclusion.
4. Our 4th Benefit Concert
In November, the 4th Acupuncture for the World Concert took place at the Physicians Association of Barcelona. Performing was the Catalan Rumba group "SABOR DE GRÀCIA" who has helped in promoting our projects. We would like to express our gratitude for your solidarity and support throughout an evening filled with love and joy.
5. ASFi (Acupuncture Without Borders)
We have attended the ASFi Annual Board Meeting held in Neuchatelle, Switzerland.
The European delegations of Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France (París, Perpignan) and Spain attended as well as did China.
2012
1. Missions in India
In December 2012, Dr. Daniel Mené and Dr. Fina Montalà carried out the 4th training course.
In July 2012, Dr. Daniel Mené, Dr. Isabel Giralt and Dr. Marta Figueras travelled to India to give the 3rd training course.
2. Third Benefit Concert
Acupuncture for the World organized its third musical concert “Blaus per un somni” at the Monastery of Pedralbes in Barcelona.
Performing was the Joan Chamorro Jazz Group with the voices of Andrea Motis, Magda Dalzira and Eva Fernandez. Their music filled our hearts with rapture and tenderness.
2011
1. Bolivia
In Bolivia, in the town of La Guardia, we completed all the theory sessions and the final exam which almost all of the participants passed. Only two students need to retake classes.
As a result, the Town Council of La Guardia issued a certificate to these 18 students and they will begin to treat people with acupuncture techniques, in particular at government-run health centers where the poorest members of society have no access to private health care.
We are extremely pleased with these results and hope shortly to make another visit there to check on and promote the Acupuncture Service Project at the new hospital in La Guardia.
2. Mission in Anantapur, India
In December 2011, Acupuncture for the World started the second training course for the acupuncture mission in Anantapur. On this occasion, the professionals in charge were Dr. Daniel Mené and Dr. Isabel Giralt. This course will serve as an evaluation of the first training course as well as to go into more depth in the theory and practice of the most common diseases in this part of India. Our member in charge of Public/Human Relations, Marta Figueras, was able to accompany the instructors and was especially interested in experiencing the mission in India to gain more awareness about our NGO.
In July 2011, Dr. Maite Fuertes and Dr. Daniel Mené were the medical acupuncture professionals who carried out the 1st training course in "Treating Pain with Acupuncture” This teaching program is being well-received by the whole group of 22 students. We would like to highlight the help given by organizations associated with the Foundation: Anne Ferrer as President of the Vicente Ferrer Foundation in India; Dr. Kannan of the Bathalapalli Hospital; Mr. Sirrappa as head of the health care professionals in the rural areas, as well as the support given to all the students, since during the course they live on the hospital grounds and can make the most of their program theory and practice classes. Finally, we wish to express our thanks to the Indian people for their trust in acupuncture therapies; from the first day onwards numerous patients came to be treated in the practice sessions of this traditional yet at the same time innovative medical science.
With these photos we would like to show the evolution of our project.
3. Second Benefit Concert
On 1st December 2011 at the Monastery of Pedralbes in Barcelona, Acupuncture for the World held its second music concert entitled «Gospel per un Somni». Performing were the magnificent singer Sabine and the group The Blackbirds, accompanied by Xavi García, a master of the "cajón" percussion instrument.
Attending were many people, friends of our association, who thoroughly enjoyed the gospel music and the atmosphere of the Monastery of Pedralbes. We would like to mention the presence of representatives of the Vicente Ferrer Foundation as well as that of Mr. Eduard Sala, representative of the Obra Social Santa Lluïsa de Marillac, for whose support we are very grateful.
We wish to thank all those who attended for their warmth and enthusiasm, and to all those who could not attend but supported us from a distance.
It was a very special night and thanks to the event, this Christmas we were able to carry out successfully the second acupuncture course at the Vicente Ferrer Foundation in India for 10 physicians and 12 nurses.
We would also like to thank our friends and professionals for their day-to-day altruistic contribution that makes our work possible: Thank you Montse Minguell, thank you Angel Rubio, thank you Jordi Prada, thank you Margaret Ristagno, thank you Nacho Olano.
And many thanks to all of you, friends of Acupuncture of the World, for your support.
2010
1. India
In December 2010, Dr. Maite Fuertes travelled to India to supervise on site the start-up of the complementary medicine training program "Treating Pain with Acupuncture". This exploratory mission oversaw the group of health care students – workers from the Rural Development Trust (RDT) clinics in Anantapur which is the Indian counterpart to the Vicente Ferrer Foundation – as well as the areas for theory and practice sessions.
Thanks to the favorable outcome of the visit, Acupuncture for the World has been given the green light for the initial Acupuncture Teaching Mission in Anantapur, India.
2. Classical Music Concert
Acupuncture for the World held its 1st Classical Music Concert at the Monastery of Pedralbes to raise funds for our projects.
We would like to thank all those who made the event possible, with their presence and those who were unable to attend but contributed.
We also wish to thank in particular those friends and professionals who gave of themselves selflessly, making this first event a great success.
Many thanks!
2009
1. Mission in La Guardia, Bolivia
The acupuncture teaching mission in Bolivia is being carried out in the town of La Guardia, near the city of Santa Cruz.
This mission is shared with the international association of Acupuncture without Borders (Acupuncture sans frontières International).
Between both associations, we have been to La Guardia for six 2-week stays. There we have given theory classes to some 20 health care professionals and visited patients at local health centers to treat all kinds of illness, but especially those related to weakness and pain.
On the last visit to La Guardia we conducted the final exam which almost all the students passed. The list of successful participants was handed in to the Town Council of La Guardia, the entity which issues the certificate granting the capacity to practice acupuncture in their health care area.
During this last visit we were also able to talk to the government of La Guardia about the possibility of setting up an area in the new hospital planned.
