Medical Mission

We have trouble finding the words to describe what we saw, experienced, and touched during the 11 days we spent in Cusco, Peru.

We began full of anticipation, doing research so we would have some idea of the conditions we would find there - but nothing - nothing, could have prepared us for the reality that was waiting. 

At arrival at the Hospital, we found hundreds of people, many who had walked barefoot for days, just to have the opportunity to see the American doctors.  We were all emotionally moved by the warm welcome that awaited our group. Mothers, children, babies, the elderly, all clapping and cheering for us as we entered the Hospital.  We prayed we could help, while we knew that we would only make a slight dent in their needs.  We worked around the clock for days, and wished we had more hours - the need was much greater than we ever imagined.  Nothing could have prepared us, but we were here, and we gave it everything we had.

The conditions were unheard of - no - no sinks in the examining room, no hot or warm water, no soap, no paper on the examining tables, toilet paper was a luxury, toilet seats - unheard of.  Hygiene as we understand was totally absent in this Hospital. The local Doctors do even not have rubber gloves, and go from patient to patient without washing their hands. Disease control is almost non-existent. 

Look at the medical equipment - or lack of it in the emergency room.  There are no "miracle drugs or machines" available, but there are dedicated doctors - doing their best under horrific conditions.  Pediatrics had only one otoscope with the single ear-scope taped to it. 

The ultra-violet rays at 11,000+ feet are damaging, causing blindness  This could be PREVENTED by wearing sun-glasses, which were also non-existent. VOSH distributed eye-glasses, sun-glasses and performed many operations to remove cataracts caused from sun damage.  Just a drop in the bucket when measured against the total population.

We brought back much more than pictures.  We brought back memories and a passion that touched our hearts and changed us forever. 

We created a CD - an interview with one of our Doctors.  We welcome the opportunity to share it with you. Our 2004 Medical Mission is already in the planning stage.  We expect to have a larger group, stay longer, and bring some of the supplies (soap, toilet paper, paper towels, rubber gloves) that here, we take for granted.

Rotarians around the world joined with the Homewood club to bring smiles, hope, and a better future to needy children and adults in Cusco, Peru. The Homewood Club’s 2002 Medical Mission brought 35 doctors, 15 nurses, 2 pharmacists, and 38 volunteers into the Andes Mountains of Peru to help those in need.

This Club worked together with the Rotary Clubs of Cusco Peru, Bradley-Bourbonnais IL, Chicago Heights IL, Matteson IL, Oak Park/River Forest IL, with the Peruvian American Medical Society, Volunteer Optometric Services for Humanity (VOSH), and with a Rotary International Foundation Matching Grant, to provide $3 million in medical supplies and equipment to an area that still needs so much. 

In the course of five days, the group saw close to 3,000 needy, mostly indigent children and adults. Thirteen surgeons performed 138 successful surgical procedures that included hernias, gall bladders, ophthalmology, hysterectomies, thyroid, varicose veins, thoracotomies, an abdominal aortic aneurysm and a large benign parotid tumor with facial invasion.

After seeing such positive results and so much need, the Homewood Club is working on the May 2004 Medical Mission to a Cusco hospital in greater need. Hearts and hands are reaching out and lives are being saved. Fellowship and friendships are being cultivated.

The Homewood Club not only involved Rotarians, but also included their Homewood community. A local school collected school supplies and wrote personal notes that were delivered to a Cusco grade school already familiar with the Rotary Club of Homewood.

Just before the 2002 Mission, Homewood Rotary provided the school with a new feature — an 8-toilet lavatory structure with running water.

Homewood Rotary also provides an adult literacy program and a tailor/seamstress program for poor adults in this same area.

Homewood Rotarians are lending a hand!