For Keysi De Los Santos, the warehouse isn’t just a place for pallets and packing slips—it’s where dignified healthcare begins. As Build Health International’s (BHI) Gloucester Warehouse Logistics Support Coordinator, Keysi plays a vital role in ensuring that lifesaving materials make it safely and efficiently to hospitals and clinics around the world. From crates of medical equipment to bundles of materials, every shipment he prepares is packed with purpose.
Keysi’s path to BHI was shaped by both experience and heart. In a previous role at a logistics company, he supported coordination of a shipment for his first hospital project—an experience that opened his eyes to the direct connection between logistics and patient care. Around the same time, he heard stories about BHI’s work, including one that stuck with him: the story of two conjoined twins in Haiti who survived thanks to the care available at Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais. “That story moved me,” he said. “I said to myself, ‘I need to move forward,’ and I joined BHI.”
Since then, Keysi has become an essential part of the team, managing a constantly-moving inventory of supplies that must be carefully packed, labeled, and shipped on tight timelines. The warehouse, with its improved organization and expanded space in Gloucester, Massachusetts, has streamlined the process. “Everything that comes in, we try to allocate to a project and ship right away,” he explained. “We’re definitely saving time—and time translates to resources. That’s something I like to remind myself.”
But what really drives Keysi is the knowledge that every pallet he packs has the potential to save lives.
“It’s all about timing and safety. We make sure the materials get to the job site properly. Building hospitals means saving lives—and our work in the warehouse makes that possible.”
He’s especially mindful of the challenges that can arise on the receiving end. In many of the countries where BHI works, infrastructure is limited—forklifts may not be available, roads may be rough, and materials must be handled with extra care. “When I pack something, I think about how it’s going to be received,” he said. “It has to arrive safely and in good condition, no matter what.”
One example he’s especially proud of is a shipment of an anesthesia machine to Haiti. Keysi custom-built a protective crate, ensuring the equipment would stay secure—even on an unpredictable journey. “It fell off a flatbed truck on a bumpy road, and it was completely fine,” he recalled. “That’s when I truly realized the difference attention to detail can make.” A logistics colleague later confirmed the quality of his work: when the machine was opened at the hospital site, it was still in perfect condition.
His favorite spot in the warehouse is his workshop—the space where he can be creative, hands-on, and precise. “That’s where I make the magic,” he said. Looking back, Keysi reflects with pride on what he’s helped build. “I know we’ve supported so many important projects. The quality of life is better for so many people now. That makes me proud.”
Through every crate, every container, and every carefully packed shipment, Keysi helps deliver not just supplies—but dignity, safety, and hope.
This story is featured in our 2025 Annual Report. Read it here!
About the Author: Emma Harkness serves as the Communications and Partnerships Coordinator at Build Health International. She is passionate about global health equity, advocacy, and storytelling to drive social change.