October 16, 2011
Lima, Peru
Hello friends,
I am back in Lima after two weeks in Juanjui Ciudad, Mariscal Caceres Province, San Martin Region, Peru. Under the banner of The Luz Fund ( http://www.theluzfund.blogspot.com/ ) we
have been working with an excellent Medical Doctor from Plant City, FL, three Ophthamalogy doctors from Lima, Peru, and several exceptional nurses. We have been working in the small town of Juanjui and several villages along the Rio Hullaga and far reaches of the Rio Alto Huayabamba. Through the kindness of the Catholic Medical Mission Board,(CMMB) New York City, and Brother’s Brother Foundation,(BBF) Pittsburgh, PA, we were able to bring some much needed medications and anti-biotics to people in some of the poorest areas of the country. Both organizations have been extremely generous to The Luz Fund over the past few years.
Lima, Peru
Hello friends,
I am back in Lima after two weeks in Juanjui Ciudad, Mariscal Caceres Province, San Martin Region, Peru. Under the banner of The Luz Fund ( http://www.theluzfund.blogspot.com/ ) we
have been working with an excellent Medical Doctor from Plant City, FL, three Ophthamalogy doctors from Lima, Peru, and several exceptional nurses. We have been working in the small town of Juanjui and several villages along the Rio Hullaga and far reaches of the Rio Alto Huayabamba. Through the kindness of the Catholic Medical Mission Board,(CMMB) New York City, and Brother’s Brother Foundation,(BBF) Pittsburgh, PA, we were able to bring some much needed medications and anti-biotics to people in some of the poorest areas of the country. Both organizations have been extremely generous to The Luz Fund over the past few years.
This is former “Shining Path” territory, but the Coca plantations, the life blood of the Cocaine trade, have largely been replaced by the new crops of Cacao, Citrus, and other legal crops. The Cacao is sold to processors in France, Switzerland and other places that then transform it into some of the best chocolate in the world. This area of Peru is also presently engaged in a very busy re-forestation project you can read about on Facebook at:
( http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/puravidaandco)
Along with about 500 medical patients seen by our medical team, approximately 600 Eye Exams were processed. The team worked at the brand new Regional Juanjui Hospital for the Poor for the first week. We then travelled to several river villages during week two. The new hospital building is very clean but sparsely furnished with mostly outdated equipment. The only patients normally seen are those with emergency or primary care needs. There is no treatment available
for chronic issues, such as high blood pressure and other diseases. These are given medicines, when available, and sent home, or referred to another facility in Tarapoto or Lima, many miles
away, and usually an unaffordable and long trip by local residents. The trip is often more complex when the patient is from one of the many river villages, which could add another three
hour boat ride to the mix.
( http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/puravidaandco)
Along with about 500 medical patients seen by our medical team, approximately 600 Eye Exams were processed. The team worked at the brand new Regional Juanjui Hospital for the Poor for the first week. We then travelled to several river villages during week two. The new hospital building is very clean but sparsely furnished with mostly outdated equipment. The only patients normally seen are those with emergency or primary care needs. There is no treatment available
for chronic issues, such as high blood pressure and other diseases. These are given medicines, when available, and sent home, or referred to another facility in Tarapoto or Lima, many miles
away, and usually an unaffordable and long trip by local residents. The trip is often more complex when the patient is from one of the many river villages, which could add another three
hour boat ride to the mix.
Some in need do not go to the hospital for needed care because they can not afford the cost of transportation. One particular case we assisted could not afford the 20.0 Soles transport charge( $8.00 USD). Our medical team sees all patients when we visit, and try to help everyone, regardless of their medical issue. Sometimes their problems are beyond our limited capabilities on this mission. We do what we can and where possible, refer or notate their paperwork for possible followup by a Specialist on a future mission.
Every visit to Juanjui brings new experiences, new friends, and new opportunities to do God’s will by helping those in need. This time we visited two children in their home, Frank, 8 yrs old, and his sister Katiya, 3 yrs old.(see photos on our blog) Frank and Katiya both suffer from the same birth defect. They each have bi-lateral club feet that turn inward at the ankles. They both walk on the tops of their feet, which fold under. Their faces reveal their obvious acceptance and happiness. They are from an extremely poor family with a mother, several other siblings, and a much absent father. Both Frank and Katiya are in otherwise excellent health. We hope to interest Shriners Hospital in Tampa, to accept their case. Because they are brother and sister we hope the case will attract the attention of Shriners decision makers. Arturo Ullao Guerra, the young boy whose photo is on our blog, is still in Los Ninos Hospital, Lima, while we continue to await completion of treatment for his blood infection problems. Prayer does work. Please remember these children.
Every visit to Juanjui brings new experiences, new friends, and new opportunities to do God’s will by helping those in need. This time we visited two children in their home, Frank, 8 yrs old, and his sister Katiya, 3 yrs old.(see photos on our blog) Frank and Katiya both suffer from the same birth defect. They each have bi-lateral club feet that turn inward at the ankles. They both walk on the tops of their feet, which fold under. Their faces reveal their obvious acceptance and happiness. They are from an extremely poor family with a mother, several other siblings, and a much absent father. Both Frank and Katiya are in otherwise excellent health. We hope to interest Shriners Hospital in Tampa, to accept their case. Because they are brother and sister we hope the case will attract the attention of Shriners decision makers. Arturo Ullao Guerra, the young boy whose photo is on our blog, is still in Los Ninos Hospital, Lima, while we continue to await completion of treatment for his blood infection problems. Prayer does work. Please remember these children.
Watch our web blog for a link to more photos soon.
Our next mission to Juanjui will be in May/June 2012. If interested, give me a call.
The Luz Fund is registered as a 501c(3) and financial support could be tax deductable(see your tax accountant).
If any of our friends have contacts with Medical Supply Companies, Pharmaceuticals, etc., who may be interested in supporting a Mission of Mercy, with their logo prominently displayed wherever we work, we would be interested in talking with them. Or a hospital or university willing to donate facilities as a humanitarian gesture to a child needing surgery, who, through no fault of their own, was born to a poor family in a distant part of the world, feel free to call or email me at any time.
Warm Regards,
Chuck Mulhern,
Cell: 813-215-0071
Tel: 813-689-3289
Email:
TheLuzFund@verizon.net
If any of our friends have contacts with Medical Supply Companies, Pharmaceuticals, etc., who may be interested in supporting a Mission of Mercy, with their logo prominently displayed wherever we work, we would be interested in talking with them. Or a hospital or university willing to donate facilities as a humanitarian gesture to a child needing surgery, who, through no fault of their own, was born to a poor family in a distant part of the world, feel free to call or email me at any time.
Warm Regards,
Chuck Mulhern,
Cell: 813-215-0071
Tel: 813-689-3289
Email:
TheLuzFund@verizon.net
