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Daily Journal

Journey of Giving - Medical Expedition

Day 3 - Part 3 - The Last Leg of the Journey

The Communities of Nopolo, Las Cuevas and Punta Alto

We arrived onshore and made our way up to the home
that the healthcare services would be provided from. The
community members were there to help. They were all so
excited by this opportunity we had made available to them.

Right away Chris had a patient and more waiting to see him.

Dr. Velasco saw many patients this day.

One in particular will forever remain in out hearts.

When this woman put glasses on for the fist time in her life, her eyes lit
up (and stayed lit) and I bet you she will never see the world the same again.

As we were well underway administering the healthcare
with patients waiting in lines there were still more to come.

Dr. Alvarado was busy from the moment she stepped
into the role of Doctora. She did not even have time to
stop and take a break between patients. Dr. Humberto
was in a room the entire time doing consultations as well.

Loiuse checks this gentlemen's blood pressure.

Jan does the same with her patient.

And I overheard this one say to friend she
should go and have Lucas check her pulse... he's cute.

On the dental side of things Melissa and Dr. Soto check out
a few words in English before they prep for their days work.

Michelle gets things organized...
(serious stuff)

While Anna gets the medicines set up.

The work gets underway.
(check out the dog under the table)

The dental team saw many patients this day, but this particular
patient was special. His brother looks on as the team do there work.

In the end he was their favorite. Dr. Soto blows up one of her
surgical gloves and draws a face on it before giving it to her patient.

A group picture with the Caravanas/Panterra team and the community members.

Our work was completed as the sun started to set.
The community in the background is Punta Alto.
This concludes our Journey of Giving.
It was the most beautiful day of the trip!

Dr. Garcia had Certificates of Appreciation issued by the
Department of Health for all of us to include Dr. Garcia himself.

Dr. Alvarado and her team, Jan, Louise and cousin Lucas.

Dr. Soto receives hers with her team beside her, Anna and Michelle.

Dr. Ballesco receives his certificate.

Not only did we all receive a certificate but Panterra had Mexican
gifts for the Canadian participants and Candiana gifts for the Mexican
participants and the communities of Las Cuevas and Punta Alto had
given us each a hand embroidered gifts. Dr. Garcia holds up his gift.

Melissa hands Chris his gifts.

Here Anna and Kraeg receive their gifts.

Riny and Jan theirs.

And Bob and Liz theirs.

A week earlier I had visited these communities to let them know we were coming. In the initial visit I had run into a woman who asked me if we had any burn medication. When I looked at her arms I was surprised to see the terrible burns that had not been looked at. I cleaned up her burns as best I could and thanked god we were coming back a week later with doctors. I left ointments and band-aids for her.

One of the other communities there was an elderly woman whose diabetes was acting up, she hadn't had any medication for some time. She also had a problem with the handle on her walking cane, it was broken and causing problems on the hand she held it with. Her walking cane needed to be replaced.

The third community had a pregnant young girl who had no clothing, diapers, absolutely nothing for a baby. This was just what I encountered in a few hours, of an afternoon we spent with one of our schools, while distributing gifts to the community children.

To continue, upon our arrival we were met by the different community members. They had all come out in appreciation of the services made available to them. They greeted us with excitement and helped us set up the various station to administer the healthcare. Each station had patients eagerly awaiting healthcare.

Chris was busy with his Chiropractic services, Eduardo was busy with his Optometry, the doctors had consultations and check ups and the dental team were busy at work the entire time. The Tinworths were engaged in different craft activities for the kids and the world around us swirled with the coolest of energy. We were all one lost in this energy. I do not know how else to explain it. We were all in the "zone", the community members and the Panterra team. It was surreal. The best day of the trip in my opinion.

I should explain, the difference between Nopolo, Las Cuevas and Punta Alto (and also Los Burros) is that San Evaristo and Portuguese have access to healthcare through the Caravans de la Salud. Pardito, Nopolo, Las Cuevas, Punta Alto, Palma Solo and Los Burros do not have the program available to their communities. They have to commute for the healthcare services.

In 2010 Panterra will continue the journey, north of San Evaristo to the communities of Isla Pardito, Nopolo, Las Cuevas, Punta Alto, Los Burros, Los Delores and Palma Solo. There is so much more to do and visit. What a blessing we have all come to in our lives to experience this. YAY!!!!

Lela Sankeralli - Executive Director
Panterra Educational and Cultural Training Society

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