Panterra :: MySchool Journal

Daily Journal

Journey of Giving
Medical Expedition Trip 1

Day 3 - part 1

We headed out to the community of Ensenada de Cortez.

As the last of the medical supplies were unloaded
(my esteemed colleague Stasia) we set up shop and the work began.

Shop was set up at one of the local homes in the midst of the community.

Celia, Lorena and Louise had their routine organized.

Jan filled the prescriptions ordered by the doctor.

Javier and Alma had many patients visit them from this particular community.

Lorena carried on her dental care lessons.

Meanwhile, the builders were discussing their first project. The task
was to run a water hose from a fresh water souce into a part of the
community that has been without freshwater since their beginning.
Total length of hose = 1 km.

The reels of hose and support material being unloaded from the boat.

It was then transferred into a truck ...

... then dropped off every 100 meters (the length of each reel).

Once off the road the reels were carried up the hill to the freshwater springs.

Bob and Riny drop off a reel of hose at the first spring.

Marcos, one of the community members, shows us the
second of three springs that supply the freshwater to the community.

Hooking up the system from the springs down through
the terrain to the part of the community that needed it.

Back at the "shop" one of the elders is escorted to visit the doctor.

Liz, Linda and Krystil get the kids involved in the arts and crafts project.

Then the ice cream project was introduced ...

... and was enjoyed by all.

The gifts were brought out and distributed amongst the families.

A very large bag of sewing supplies, donated by Amanda Joblinski
of Aurora Charter school in Edmonton, was also given out. These
supplies were absolutely appreciated by the women of the community.

One of the women in the community had sewn a few things to sell to the group.

The most beautiful pot holders you have ever seen.

Community group picture with the expedition team.

We boarded the ship and were off to our next stop. Palmo Solo.

Our day started with medical services and construction work in the community of Ensenada de Cortez. It is a beautiful community with such wonderful people that always greet us at their landing point when we arrive. Our arrival today was no exception. They helped carry the boxes of medical supplies to the home of one of the locals.

The various medical teams saw nearly 50 patients, all of whom were happy to have these services made available to them. Even one of the elders, who had to walk quite a distance, came to see the doctor for a refill.

Liz, Linda and Krystil wowed the kids with the picture and frames craft making and ended the day with home made ice cream for all.

The heroes of this particular visit were the builders. Bob, Riny, myself and members of the community laid down approx. 1 km of 3/4 inch hose from the freshwater spring located up on a hill, down to a part of the community that was without water since its beginning. The freshwater springs were amazing. The first one had algae and scum on the top but there was a weed growing in the water itself that looked like it could be a natural filter. The second and third springs came right out of the rock. Amazing how this community survives on such a small pocket of spring water.

As we were packing up, one of the women brought out pot holders she had made with her little sewing machine. They were brilliant. She had chicken and turtle pot holders and shark oven mitts. They were so cool.

This was just the morning portion of the day. There is still Day 3 - part 2 to view and read about.

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Daily Journal

Journey of Giving Medical Expedition Trip 1

Day 3 - part 1

Journey of Giving
Medical Expedition Trip 1