Dr. John Baumrucker with residents of the Highlands Bolivian Mission in Montero, Bolivia. Since 1998, Dr. John’s vision has grown from medical outreach into a multifaceted lifeline—building homes, fostering education, and uplifting lives through compassion and community support.
The Highlands Bolivian Mission Fundraiser is the vision of Dr. John Baumrucker. Since 1998, Dr. Baumrucker has been the driving force behind the Highlands Bolivian Mission, a grassroots effort that began as a medical outreach and blossomed into a multifaceted lifeline for the people of Montero, Bolivia.
Known affectionately on the Plateau as “Dr. John,” his work has touched thousands through a blend of compassion, ingenuity, and unwavering commitment.
Originally launched through Highlands United Methodist Church and supported by the Highlands Rotary Club, the mission began with basic medical care and quickly expanded to address deeper needs. Over the years, the mission has built 16 homes, a church, and a foster home that now houses 23 boys, each of whom contributes to daily operations through chores and vocational training. The foster home emphasizes education and responsibility, instilling pride and purpose in its young residents.
Dr. Baumrucker’s vision also includes a jail ministry, where the mission provides essential medicines, and a computer literacy initiative that equips churches with donated computers for after-school learning and adult education.
In collaboration with universities like UNC-Asheville, the University of Mississippi and Johns Hopkins Medical School, the mission has conducted lead testing in children, revealing elevated levels likely linked to local bronze utensils, children’s toys and mining runoff.
Fundraising efforts are as creative as they are heartfelt, including having a booth at the local Farmer’s Market held Saturday mornings at the Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park and the Highlands Mountaintop Rotary Craft Show where the mission raises thousands to sustain the mission’s operations. In 2019, the mission opened the Mama Joanna Guest House, run by foster home residents, offering real-world business experience and a sustainable funding source for the home.
Dr. Baumrucker’s work has earned him Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award, a testament to his enduring impact. With over $1 million in medical equipment donated and countless lives improved, the Highlands Bolivian Mission stands as a beacon of what one person’s vision – backed by a caring community – can achieve.
The Highlands Bolivian Mission (in collaboration with Mountaintop Rotary) will hold a Silent and Live Auction on Monday, September 8, 6:00 P.M. at the Highlands Performing Arts Center, Martin Lipscomb Theater. It’ll feature lite bites and an open bar. Auction items include original art, a signed LeRoy Nieman lithograph, hand crafted jewelry, oriental rugs and many other interesting items. Limited Tickets are $50 per person, available by calling or texting (828) 200-0902.
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