Medical Missionary Travels to Nigeria with Mercy Foundation
Endangered Species Chocolate sponsors missionary, sends chocolate

Indianapolis, IN- Endangered Species Chocolate is sponsoring Dymisha Adamson of Indianapolis on a medical mission trip to Uromi, Nigeria in August. This is Adamson's second trip with The Mercy Foundation, although the local non-profit foundation started by Mercy Obeime, M.D has completed six missions over the past five years.

In a visit to the Endangered Species Chocolate office, Adamson and Obeime shared stories from previous trips and talked about their plans for August. "Last year there were 5,000 people waiting in line on our first day. We help so many people, but there's so many more that need help. That's what keeps me going back," says Adamson.

Uromi, Nigeria has a nurse practitioner, a doctor and a surgeon, but limited medical supplies. Last year The Mercy Foundation took $800,000 worth of donated medical supplies and several helping hands. There are 15 volunteers going on the 10-day mission to Uromi in August and they anticipate that they will serve about 8,000 people. They treat everything from eyes, teeth, hernias, arthritis and a number of other conditions. One of the main focuses of this mission is education about HIV and AIDS.

A native of Nigeria, Obeime sees her departure from the country to become a doctor in the U.S. as a case of brain gain, not brain drain. Her goal is to encourage more native Nigerians to give back to their home land. She says, "If I pretend like they don't exist anymore, then how can anyone else be expected to care?"

Obeime's work is fueled by her belief that "every life is important and needs to be treated with dignity." This philosophy runs parallel with Endangered Species Chocolate's core value of Reverence for Life, which drives the company's mission of endangered species recovery, habitat conservation and compassion for fellow humans. "Supporting this mission is one small way we can have a positive impact on the villages of Nigeria," says Wayne Zink, CEO of Endangered Species Chocolate. "We hope to send volunteers from within the company on future medical missions."

Endangered Species Chocolate cacao is grown in Nigeria; however, chocolate is a luxury in Nigeria and most villagers have never experienced the product that originates in their land. Adamson will be taking Endangered Species Chocolate treats, along with school supplies, clothing and small toys, to residents of Uromi and children living in a local orphanage.

Adamson is the connections manager for Managed Health Services, educating members about health care services. While her professional life is already dedicated to helping others, she chooses this medical mission trip because she can see the results of her work for others in need far beyond our ability to understand. Endangered Species Chocolate's sponsorship covers Adamson's airfare, ground transportation, room and board.

For more information about The Mercy Foundation, visit www.mercyfoundationinc.org.

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About Endangered Species Chocolate
Indianapolis-based Endangered Species Chocolate is fully committed to providing premium, all-natural ethically traded, naturally shade-grown, and kosher products, as well as products that are certified vegan and organic. To honor its core value – Reverence for Life – ESC confirms that all beans used in its products are purchased from small, family-owned properties where the income benefits the community. The company also donates 10-percent of net profits to help support species, habitat and humanity. The number one best selling brand of natural and organic chocolate in the natural food category, ESC offers more than 30 products.

For more information, please visit www.chocolatebar.com.