Connecting Hearts and Hands with Peru: First Day of Clinic

There were over 50 patients seen at the clinic in PRONOEI this afternoon. Most of the medicines, eye glasses, and various supplies, had to be placed in suitcases and transported via a motorkar. Once moved, it had to be set up again in the new location.

This area is a very poor area of town. The people do not have a title or deed to the home they have built in this area. In some areas of Paita, people have invaded the public lands and established neighborhoods; the government eventually gave them a title.

Some of the homes have electricity and some don't. They don't have inside plumbing which means they don't have running water. There is a large cistern and the city delivers water to it. It has very limited capacity so if cistern empties quickly, you're out until water is delivered again. It is city water and the water is filtered. However, it's not drinkable.

Without plumbing, the homeowner must dig a hole around their home and place a large tank, like a septic tank, and empty water and excrement into this tank. Once the tank is full, it is filled with ash and another hole must be dug and placed in the ground. Those who can't afford a tank dump the excrement somewhere. In some areas, there was a nasty smell.

There is no garbage pickup in this area so one will see bags and garbage blowing in the wind.

No Road and Sand Everywhere

More Homes

This is the PRONOEI Public School run by the School Sister.

Here's how we setup the PRONOEI clinic. There are two preschool buildings. The triage were in one building and the doctors were in the other.

Eye Glasses Donated by St. Paul parishioners and Anthem BCBS

Shelley setting up Pharmacy at PRONOEI

The Peruvian Public Health collaborated with our team to test children for anemia and they plan on following up with the families to provide assistance.