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Colca Bob
March Newsletter '11
  
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In This Issue
Team Perú 2011
Nicaragua Agua
Colca Valley Dental Team
HBI and the Ollies
Looking Ahead
HBI and You
HBI is Committed to Financial Accountability
HBI pledges to tell our donors how all donations are being used.

Health Bridges International is an independent charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Tax Code
IRS Tax ID #20-3681041 - Oregon Department of Justice Charitable Organization
Registration #36015



Coparaque Girl



Coparaque Boy



Maca Boy



Pinchollo Bebe



Delivering Milk



BabyGirl



Delivering Milk



Delivering Milk



Alexandra



Chincha baby



Ines2



Yanque Boy



CoyBoy



sharoncita2



Delivering Milk 

Team Per� 2011 ~ Ica & Arequipa
 Adventures in Healing

We get asked all the time - "how can I help? How can I get involved?" One of the best ways for people to volunteer with HBI and make a huge impact is with our outreach trips.

 

Health Bridges International embarks on our 16th year of outreach in Per�.    

 

We still have a few spots available for our Healthcare Adventure to Ica & Arequipa.  Find an Information and Application Packet Here!  Help us keep the HBI movement growing, and in return we will help you write new life stories. 

 

We will collaborate with Peruvian organizations, Peruvian providers, Peruvian volunteers and You to organize healthcare opportunities for impoverished communities that have very few.

 

Though our focus is healthcare services delivery, we appreciate volunteers from all professions and all walks of life.  Young and old alike, we will keep you busy...and change your life! 

Team Peru10-Kawai
email Info@hbint.org
with questions

The dates for the Team Per� Outreach Campaign are July 9 through July 23 (with a return to the U.S. on July 24).  Week 1 (July 9-16 in Ica) we will be providing direct care delivery with our Peruvian partners, and Week 2 (July 15-23 in Arequipa) will be social outreach, relationship building, and community enhancement. We understand that not everyone can stay for the entire campaign - and as such, there are multiple options for trip involvement. 

 

For further information on how you can "build a bridge and make a difference" - please click TEAM PERU 2011~Info Packet


Project Dates: July 9-23, 2011  
  Nicaragua Agua
'Trabajando Nica' 
Having lived and volunteered in Per� for a year after college, I never really understood my personal impact on those around me, more specifically, other volunteers that I worked withWater System.  I made concerted efforts to develop connections with the individuals I was serving moreso than my colleagues.  I attempted to learn local cultures, subtle nuances in the language and in my mind's eye I worked to break down the idea that we were different.

Now, having been given the incredible opportunity to work for HBI, I am constantly taken aback by the generosity and hard work of our volunteers.  From February 7-14th I was afforded one of my greatest illustrations to date. 
Working alongside Bob Palandech and Rich Monnie during the installation of a water filtration system was awe-inspiring.  Bob and RichThey volunteered their time, resources and efforts in collaboration with Dunnellon Presbyterian Church, Living Waters for the World and our extraordinary host organization, Natural Doctors International.  Bob and Rich worked tirelessly, not only during the actual installation, but the month prior in preparation for any scenario they'd encounter.  Needless to say, I was little help other than a strong back and an ear for the language.  Bob and Rich collaborated with local Nicaraguans in order to accomplish a customized system.  Bob and Rich learned what the locals referred to as 'trabajando Nica' or 'working our way'.  They never ceased to amaze each other, and they never let each other down. 

You can see where they started and what collaboration accomplished in the next two video links.

Nicaragua Agua Day 1

Nicaragua Agua Finale
 
On behalf of HBI, we would like to thank Bob Palandech and Rich Monnie.  Thank you gentlemen, it was a pleasure working with you.  Thank you Bob for your expertise.  You are truly an artist.  Thank you to Rich for your support. Your hard work and your church's generosity made a huge impact on the community.Bob, Rich, Oli, Tony
We would also like to thank NDI; Tony, Tabatha and Oliver you were exceptionally gracious and we look forward to future endeavors.  Thank you to Living Waters for the World for being a clean water advocate, and a big Thank you to Dunnellon Presbyterian Church for funding clean water.


There is still a financial need to make the system sustainable for the community.  The goal is the development of a micro-business: a water distribution center. 

If you'd like to help support the distribution of clean water, please consider a donation of:
  • $25 dollars, you can buy one 5-gallon jug with stand for a family to have clean water in their home.
  • $250 buys clean water for a neighborhood.
  • $2500 provides potable water for the community and enables maintenance to the distribution center.Rich in Tank
To help give clean water: 
CLICK HERE


Colca Valley Dental Team

 Clean Teeth plus Collaboration   

3 months ago HBI, along with the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Quechua Benefit and the Peace Corps, conducted our third community based research project. The CARE III data is currently undergoing the evaluation at UNC-W.  However, the lack of access to dental care was one of the most glaring needs in the area surveyed.  Over and over again, our research team learned of the ongoing struggles the community experiences in accessing dental care.Tom and Lauren

Upon our return from the research project we were contacted by a dental team from Oshkosh, WI: Dr. Tom Hallquist along with hygienist Michele Wojan and assistants Belinda Zuehlke and Donna Shennefield.  We quickly assembled a team of local professionals and called upon 3 partner organizations in facilitating the campaign.  The team was truly a collaborative effort that included of 5 dentists, 1 hygienist, 2 assistants, 5 general helpers, 1 cook.  We received support from the Peruvian Ministry of Health, the Peruvian College of Dentistry and no less than four nonprofit organizations:  HBI, Quechua Benefit, Medical Ministry International, and The Peace Corps.Teeth Cleaning

 

One major factor working against us throughout the week was the weather.  Much of the Peruvian Andes has two seasons, dry and wet, and during the wet season, the rain can be unrelenting.  Every day in the Valley the rain started at 2pm and didn't stop until some time during our slumber.   

 

The rain created less than favorable driving conditions on unpaved mountain roads bordering the deepest canyon on the planet.  It typically made for quiet post-clinic rides home, which I can only assume was time to meditate on the important things in life and not the thousand foot precipice outside the window.  We planned our week to travel the furthest the first day and gradually return closer to base camp each subsequent day.  In order to fulfill a full day of care delivery and finish before the rain, we started the week waking up at 4:30am.  Yelina 

We departed for outreach sites at 5:15 a.m. to drive 2 hours to the remote villages and communities we had identified in the research as most in need of dental services delivery.  We hoped to work each day from 8:30 a.m. until 3pm, with a brief lunch.  Everyday however, there were 5-10 patients who strolled into our makeshift clinic just before our closing time.  The dentists gave the same response each day as I asked if they had energy for one more, 'we came all this way, absolutely we will help'.   

 

Intentions be damned, we left each site after packing up supplies, no earlier than 5pm.  Yet as the week went by and the team streamlined, we were able to attend to more and more patients.

 

Altogether our dental team attended 273 patients, completed 203 tooth saving restoration procedures, 123 extractions, 72 cleanings,  and 100 fluoride treatments.  We also provided 155 prescriptions and gave out well over 1000 toothbrushes.   

 

Bear in mind, for our international volunteers they were 4,500 miles away from home and working at elevations of 12,000 feet and higher.  Having battled distance, discomfort, different cuisine, challenging work conditions, and long, cold, wet days - it was an impressive collaborative effort by all of our volunteers. 

Dental Team

Thank you Dr. Tom, Michele, Belinda and Donna.  Thank you Dr. Christian, Dr. Manuel, Dr. Yelina, and Dr. Paola.  Thank you to Lauren Johns from the Peace Corps who was our cultural liaison, our on the ground support, and our health education advocate.   

 

We have been so incredibly blessed by the hard work and cultural awareness of the Peace Corps volunteers in the Valley.  Thank you to Quechua Benefit and Alejandro Tejada for your expertise and never ending dedication to making a difference.  Thank you to Medical Ministry International for providing volunteers, supplies, and a vehicle.

 Back to Top 

HBI and the Ollies 

St. Olaf Team in Per�   

After 2 weeks of facilitating a mobile medical campaign in the Sacred Valley near Cusco, a group of 18 pre-med students from St. Olaf College, led by Professor Ted Johnson, joined HBI in Arequipa, Per� for a week of didactic discussion, community development, and collegial reflection. St.Olaf Team We believe that exposure to and volunteering with underserved communities during the 'what am I going to be when I grow up' phase creates a much greater probability to picking a profession of service related to impoverished populations.  HBI hopes that by opening the door, and exposing foreign realities, our future healthcare providers will choose to make a difference in similar communities.

 

Professor Ted Johnson has been leading a January class of St. Olaf College Students (aka: Ollies) for the past 7 years.  He leads the group with an open mind and giant heart, keeping all of his students within what appears to be his arms reach.  This is no ordinary study abroad program.  The first two weeks of their program is spent with the same Willaq community in the Sacred Valley near Cusco.  The Ollies build relationships with the people of Willaq.  They remember names and special occasions, they bring thoughtful gifts, and they partner with their mentors to deliver direct care. Feeding Program

On this year's trip a very special young man, named Adam, left his own crutches with one of the Willaq residents who suffered from a debilitating condition.  Adam never looked back once over the next 3 weeks as he walked ahead with a purposeful, slight limp.  He asked for no thanks or recognition.  Adam is going to be a doctor, and his was just one of the many stories of selflessness I witnessed from the young men and women with bright futures ahead of them.  

 

When the group got to Arequipa they were tired, but excited for something new.  We brought them to the peri urban setting of Alto Cayma, and the Mission of Father Alex Bussuttil.  The first day we joined in on one of the many community programs and traditions.  Every friday afternoon, close to 75 community elders, most living alone with little to no income, convene in the church for prayer and support.  Massages 

 

The students helped by first serving each of the attendees a special  protein drink prepared by the Mission's feeding program.  The elders bring mugs, cups, and bottles from home.  Next the students provided neck, shoulder, and back massages to each person.  This community massage tradition was started by a previous volunteer, massage therapist TJ Ford.   

 

The older women of the community- many of whom only speak Quechua - smiled, laughed, and flirted.  The gentlemen, having worked in agricultural fields their whole lives, melted into the church pews and direct the students hands toward age-old knots.  It is a wonderful exchange of cultures, leaving everyone grinning from ear to ear.

 

The rest of the week the students took turns in the plethora of programs offered by the Mission.  They helped in the clinic, triaging patients.  They painted the walls of the day care and played with the children during recess.  They chopped vegetables and helped distribute nutritious meals to nearly 700 people.  They walked the dusty roads of Alto Cayma with Maria, the community social worker, and visited families in their homess.  They smiled and interacted with the community and let them know that we cared enough to travel 4,500 miles to meet them.Hannah Painting

Each night we had a different speaker from an organization describe their experiences with international healthcare. We led discussions on what change could look like.   The students listened to a catholic priest, a peace corps volunteer, a short term medical campaign director, and the HBI staff.  The students came to us, as I'm sure they did with everyone with whom they interacted, with questions, hoping to gain some greater clarity about the roads ahead for them.  Strangely, we hope they left with more questions than they came with.  They are our next generation of change agents.  We don't yet know how they will do it, but regardless of how,  I'm confident they will figure it out.Ollies  

Thanks Teddy Bear and Ollies, it was truly a pleasure,

The HBI Team

Keeping up with the Movement
 2011 Upcoming Events

 

March 18-19:  Our 4th annual CME/CNE (Continuing Medical Education and Continuing Nursing Education) Conference in Arequipa, Per�.  Our topic this year is Pediatric Respiratory Illness Management.  We have a team of physicians and nurses from all over the US, along with a group of Peruvian providers, lined up for the 2-day conference.  The audience will be local providers who focus their care delivery toward underserved, impoverished populations.  To learn more about the conference see the following link: 
3rd Annual Arequipa Healthcare Conference and Training Symposium.   

Pinchollo Family

July 9-23:  Our annual Team Peru outreach trip to Lima and Arequipa - We will be arriving in Lima, Per� then traveling both to Ica & Arequipa in order to conduct a medical/healthcare campaign the first week and community development outreach the second week.  We hope to have a team of at least twenty people from the U.S. and Canada.   We are close to filling up, but there are still spots available for one or both weeks.  For more information download the application here! 2011 Team Peru Application.

 

October 15-23Outreach to Ancash - Join HBI for one of the most amazing outreach trips.  Once again in 2011, we will work alongside Uni�n B�blica as they continue to develop their Camp Kusi project near Yungay in the province of Ancash. This is an amazing outreach campaign to one of the most beautiful regions in Latin America. To learn more about joining this outreach project, Click Here to read about our 2009 Trip to Kusi.

 

Please follow our Newsletter for additional 2011 HBI opportunities and Blogsite for further adventures in healing.

If you are interested or have questions please contact us at info@hbint.org

Thank you for your continued support!

Happy 50th Anniversary to the Peace Corps, and a special thank you to all the volunteers who we have shared efforts in our projects.

The Peace Corps opens a window to the world for many people, I went through that window and became President of my country.

~Alejandro Toledo, former Peruvian President

 

Build a Bridge, Connect!  
All Our Best,  The HBI Team
Health Bridges International, Inc. | P.O. Box 8813 | Portland |
OR | 97207 | Info@hbint.org