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Saint Clare, Helper of the Poor, Inc. | St. Clare was born as a response to an urgent fax received from Ravno, Bosnia-Herzegovina in January 2000. The fax requested desperately needed help in obtaining an ambulance, medicines and medical supplies for their health clinic.
Within one week, the founders collected over $3,500.00 worth of medicine and medical supplies, $800.00 in children's medicine and $878.00 in cash. A trip was made to Ravno February 1, 2000 to deliver these needed supplies. Upon arrival, the doctor receiving the supplies broke down and cried. He said, "I have only read about these types of medicines, but have never seen them before." The cash was used to pay their electric bill and purchase an oxygen unit for the health clinic.
This small village health clinic serves a total community of 2,500 people in the surrounding 500 square mile area. The majority of the residents are elderly. Ravno is located two miles from the current Serbian border. The closest hospitals are 55 and 75 miles away. There are only four telephones in the town which makes emergency situations even more difficult. The countryside is very rugged, making any ride on the gravel roads uncomfortable for patients, especially those in critical condition. The clinic was using a 15 year old station wagon as an ambulance. This story was featured in the Spring 2000 issue of Medjugorje Magazine and, as a result of the article, enough funds were raised to purchase a customized ambulance car for the Ravno Health Clinic. | 
View of Ravno and Serbian border | 
Old Ravno Health Clinic bombed during the war | 
Delivery of medical supplies in 2000 | 
Sister, area residents and Nancy Latta in Ravno | 
Doctor's office in the Health Clinic | 
Dental chair in the Health Clinic | 
New ambulance for Ravno Health Clinic |
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