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In Loving Memory of Our Founder, Bob Pagett.

With profound sorrow and deep gratitude for his life, we share the passing of our beloved founder, Robert John “Bob” Pagett, who left this earth on October 8, 2025, at the age of 86.

Bob Pagett founded Assist International with his beloved wife, Charlene, with a bold and compassionate vision: to care for orphaned children and bring dignity, hope, and transformation to vulnerable communities around the world. His life was marked by tireless service, unwavering faith, and a heart that beat for the broken and the forgotten. From hospitals in Africa to orphan villages in Romania, his legacy lives on in every life touched by the work he began.

Though we mourn his loss, we celebrate a life well-lived and a legacy that continues to grow. We remain committed to honoring his vision and advancing the mission he so passionately led.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, your memories, and your continued support. The legacy of our founder is woven into the very heart of Assist International. His vision of compassion in action continues to guide our mission, shape our partnerships, and inspire every effort to partner with those in need around the world. His impact is immense — and his work will carry on through all that we do.

If you would like to share a special photo, note or memory, please send it to assist@assistinternational.org.

A memorial service celebrating his life and legacy will be held on December 6 at 1:00 PM at Christian Life Center in Santa Cruz, California.”

What We Do

Our Mission

Assist International partners with changemakers around the world to provide solutions that save lives and build resilient communities.

Areas of Focus

Our Programs

We accomplish our mission with actionable projects that make a lasting and sustainable impact on the communities we serve.

GLOBAL HEALTH

We train, educate & provide life-saving equipment to healthcare providers in some of the world’s most low-resource settings.

CHILDREN

We work with partners to place orphaned children in family-style homes where food, clean water, education, care and love are always mainstays.

OXYGEN

We help build and strengthen oxygen ecosystems that deliver vital medical oxygen into patient’s lungs around the globe.

ENERGY

We provide renewable energy solutions and training to last-mile communities, catalyzing community development and strengthening livelihoods.

OPTICAL

We transform lives and improve livelihoods by distributing your new or gently used prescription eyewear worldwide.

CLEAN WATER

We provide clean water to local health facilities in geographic communities that lack access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.

COMMUNITY

We help families in the U.S. and around the world by providing them with emergency food, hygiene items, and essential supplies.

DISASTER RELIEF

When disaster strikes, we mobilize our network of relationships around the world to provide help and relief.

How We Do It

Our Approach

Build Local-capacity for Long-term Sustainability

The best way to drive lasting change is to partner with local individuals, NGOs, and governments to increase their capacity to meet their community’s needs. We want to partner with individuals, from frontline nurses and doctors to biomedical engineers, and equip them with tools and training so that they can continue impacting communities long after our involvement ends.

Innovative & Locally-
appropriate Solutions

Every project is met with an innovative mindset, understanding that each program requires tailored interventions. We work with our local colleagues to assess the health landscape, identify barriers, and collaborate to solve big and often overlooked challenges. 

The Power of
Partnerships

Big challenges require many partners — local and international NGOs, health facilities, regional & national government, foundations, international agencies — working together for a common purpose. We embrace these partnerships, knowing each partner brings unique value. Together, we achieve transformative impact.

Monitoring & Evaluation
(M&E)

We design key metrics, gather quantitative and qualitative data, and evaluate the impact of programs. This information allows us to be flexible and adaptable problem-solvers that can react quickly to challenges and provide evidence of impact.

Always Remember
“The One”

In everything we do, we always remember “the one”— the one baby receiving oxygen therapy treatment, the one mother receiving a safe and effective surgery, the one orphan now living with a warm, adopted family. While we always aim for transformative impact, ultimately, we want to improve the livelihoods of individual people.

ASSIST IN YOUR INBOX

Receive the latest news about our innovative programs, inspiring stories of transformation, and how you can make a difference!

PARTNERS

We believe in the power of partnership, knowing that together we can do so much more! We are proud to partner with an incredible and diverse group of corporations, foundations, and organizations that are changing lives every day.

Assist International provides life-giving solutions for children, families, and communities around the world that bring health, opportunity, and hope.