On September 23, Teatro Esperanza in Philadelphia will host the premiere of Barcos de Esperanza, a documentary series produced by HITN Media in collaboration with Mercy Ships. This production aims to shed light on the urgent need for medical care in developing countries, while also inspiring Hispanic youth in the U.S. to get involved in volunteer work.
Guillermo Sierra, EVP, Head of HITN Media, explained in an interview with Impacto that the initiative goes beyond simply informing: «Our mission for nearly 45 years has been to improve the quality of life for the Hispanic community. With Barcos de Esperanza, we want to take it a step further to inspire young people to get involved and make a difference.»
Floating Hospitals that Transform Lives
Inspired by the humanitarian work of Mercy Ships, the series follows two hospital ships traveling across Africa, providing free medical care to communities living in extreme poverty. These ships are staffed entirely by volunteers: doctors, cooks, captains, teachers, and more.
Filmed in a documentary-reality format, the series presents real-life stories of surgeries, recovery, and hope with a special focus on children who lack access to medical services. “A toothache that’s easily treated here can become life-threatening over there,” said Sierra. “Volunteering changes lives not just for those who receive help, but for those who give it as well.”
A Campaign That Encourages Action
Along with the series, HITN is launching the campaign Súmate (Join), aimed at encouraging Hispanic youth to reconnect with their sense of purpose and community through volunteer work. «Many young people spend hours in front of screens. This campaign invites them to step out, get involved, and discover that being a volunteer can also improve your mental health, relationships, academic performance, and sense of belonging,» Sierra explained.
Premier in Philadelphia
The official launch event will take place on September 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Teatro Esperanza. It will feature a special appearance by the Vice President of Mercy Ships, who will answer questions from the audience and share more about the organization’s humanitarian work.
That same day, the website www.SumateYa.org will go live, allowing users to enter their ZIP code and find local volunteer opportunities across various categories.
A Message to Families
Sierra closed the interview with a heartfelt appeal:
«We invite parents, youth, and community members to watch the series, attend the event, and most importantly, get involved. Now more than ever, we need young people who are committed, compassionate, and find purpose in serving others. Those who give, receive even more.»
About HITN
Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network (HITN) is a nonprofit organization that educates and transforms through media. Its channel reaches over 35 million households across the U.S., with content focused on health, science, wellness, technology, and nature.
For ticket information, visit esperanzaartscenter.us/event/barcos/
