Across the globe there is much pain and suffering. Thousands of people are facing the challenges brought on by poverty and oppression. Many are without jobs, food clothing shelter and medical care. hellenicare is their lifeline of hope.

Launched in 1997 by Andrew A. Athens, initially as the Primary Health Care Initiative (PHCI), hellenicare’s mission is to alleviate poverty and oppression by building healthy, secure and productive lives.

Amid the poverty and instability, hellenicare works to restore health, feed hunger, resolve conflict, create economic opportunity and enhance life skills. More than 2 million people have been helped. $135 million worth of medical care, medicines, food, clothing and equipment has been provided to vulnerable communities in the Former Soviet Republics and the Republic of Albania.

In addition to its medical and humanitarian programs, hellenicare’s community projects rebuild health posts, restore fresh water supplies and sanitary conditions to remote areas. Public health education programs in HIV/AIDS, heart disease, women’s health seek to help people prevent serious illness.

Training of health care professionals, community leaders and local businessmen enhances skills and expands opportunities for self-sufficiency. Food distribution programs relieve the hunger that many people experience.

At hellenicare we believe:

• In the value and dignity of every human life
• Human beings are resilient
• People have the right to a peaceful co-existence and to participate in decisions that affect their lives
• Human resourcefulness provides the energy needed to solve problems
• Our humanitarian and moral values call us to service

hellenicare’s impact can be measured in the public statement made by Eduard Shevardnadze, the former President of the Republic of Georgia,

"Thank you for taking care of my people."