1. How and when did the concept of ShuarHands, Inc.. develop?
In 2005 Bette became a translator and coordinator for Plasticos Foundation, a non-profit plastic surgery group that provides free medical assistance to those in need: repair of cleft lips, palates, burns and other deformatives. She has traveled to Cuba, various regions of Ecuador and Guatemala. Through her trip to the Amazon area of Ecuador, she came in contact with a Shuar leader who was a patient advocate and translator. Upon her departure, they exchanged addresses. Throughout the next few months, each learned about the other's culture.
The concept of ShuarHands, Inc..developed at midnight in October of 2006. As Bette was sharing with her daughter the experiences of her recent medical missions and expressing the desire to help humanity more, Torrey focused attention to the tribal leader with whom Bette had been communicating. "Why don't you contact him and see what we can create". Of course!!!!
The email she sent to him was powerful. "I have everything that I could want in life: good health, a good paying job, the love of my family and friends. I was wondering how I might help your people".
"The first foreigner to understand the plight of my people...YES", was the prompt rose-bordered email response received the next morning. ShuarHands, Inc. is a 501c3 (non-profit) organization.
After graduating from San Diego State University with a B.A. in Spanish, Bette worked in orthodontics. She married and was fortunate to be a "stay-at-home-mother" for her three children for nearly 10 years. Later she completed her teaching credentials (multiple subject, single subject: Spanish and social studies, and BBC) and became employed on a full-time basis at a local and rural high school, where she continues to work today. She completed her Master's degree at National University in 2002.
The concept of ShuarHands, Inc.. was created in October 2006 with the assistance of her daughters Torrey and Tawny to provide humanitarian assistance to others.
2. Who are the officers of ShuarHands, Inc.?
Bette Palovchik is the founder and President.
Torrey Chacon is Vice-President and Secretary.
Tawny Palovchik is our CFO.
Please visit the "About Us" button is view our profiles
3. Do you have a board?
Yes. We have a four panel board that helps guide and direct the actions and funds of ShuarHands, Inc.
4. What is your mission statement?
Our mission statement as approved by the State of California in the Articles of Incorporation is:
All of the officers were active in thinking of names but Torrey created the term ShuarHands, Inc. Shuar is the name of one group of indigenous people who live in the Amazon Basin of Ecuador. They were the first group that we worked with. Hands was selected because the products that we purchase from the Shuar are made by the hands of single-mother artisans.
Yes!! Although ShuarHands, Inc started with assisting the Shuar in Ecuador, we have also extended our organization into Guatemala. We are working in cooperation with an established non-profit Guatemalan organization called Ninos Shecanos. Their director and legal council is Luis Fuentes. His group of professionals is dedicated to improving the lives of the extremely poor through improved health services and educational opportunities.
Although ShuarHands, Inc. is less than three years old, we have accomplished a great deal. ShuarHands, Inc.. has worked directly with local governing leaders creating advances in two areas: education and health.
Education
-In April of 2009, a multi-specialty medical mission to San Marcos was sponsored by Women for World Health. In order for many of the extremely poor to arrive, ShuarHands,Inc. donated $400.00 to Ninos Shecanos to provide transportation and meals for those most in need. (Bette volunteers as a translator and coordinator for Plasticos Foundation as well as Women for World Health.
In three years, ShuarHands, Inc.. has dedicated more than 95% of all donations to direct assistance in Ecuador and Guatemala. Less than 5% has been used for: legal costs for establishing our non-profit and incorporating, business needs (paper/ink/checks), and travel expenses for our Ecuadorian coordinator when related to ShuarHands, Inc.. business. When our officers travel to contact areas, they each pay for their travel expenses.
Our donors are those who support of philosophies. Nearly all donations are less than $50.00, usually $.05 to $20.00. Mountain Empire Unified School District, a small rural school in San Diego County has officially adopted "Escuela Nanchiram" as a sister school. "Escuela Nanchiram" is located in one of the Shuar communities in the Amazon Basin. Many students in Southern California schools have donated basic school supplies or even a few pennies.