This July, Sam Ferguson (Trinity, 2024) traveled to San Ignacio, Belize, to support the installation of a self-sustaining medical clinic as part of a humanitarian mission with Clinic In A Can, which transforms recycled shipping containers into fully equipped clinics to expand healthcare access worldwide.
The Belize clinic was acquired by the U.S. Southern Command, one of the 11 unified combatant commands within the U.S. Department of Defense. Its mission is to oversee and coordinate all U.S. military activities in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Some of its common missions include combating transnational criminal organizations, training and collaborating with allied military forces, providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and countering violent extremism and illicit trafficking.
The Belize clinic will serve a community of approximately 25,000 people near the Guatemala border. These units are designed for primary care, emergency response, dental services, veterinary care, and more, all powered by solar energy to operate 24/7 without the need for local electricity.
After arriving in Belize City, the team traveled to the site, where Sam helped set up the clinic’s interior, installed solar panels, and assisted local doctors, nurses, and health officials with training on the use of the new equipment. It was a long, hot day, but a significant one, as it had a profound impact on the local healthcare providers and the community.
He extends his sincere thanks to Mike Wawrzewski, founder of Clinic In A Can, for the opportunity to take part in such valuable and purpose-driven work.
“Working alongside Clinic In A Can and the U.S. Southern Command to bring a solar-powered, primary care clinic to the people of Belize was one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever done. It showed me the real impact that simple, practical solutions can have. Despite the grueling work of installing the clinic in the heat and humidity of Belize, seeing the excitement and overflowing gratitude of the Belizean locals made it all worth it. I saw firsthand how access to healthcare can light up a whole community—with dignity, hope, and a genuine sense of global connection. I’m thankful I got to be a small part of that.”
