Embedded Scribd iPaper - Requires Javascript and Flash Player
December 2011
A . M . O. R P ro j e c t s
Here in Pucallpa, Peru, Ambassador’s Medical Outreach & Relief Projects we tend to about 30 patients every day.
A man holding a little boy in his arms walked into our clinic. The boy was too weak to keep his eyes open. His head was swollen to the size of a basketball and his hands, arms, and feet were enlarged. It was clear that this child needed immediate attention. After reviewing lab results, the doctor said that he was suffering from kidney failure. Unfortunately his family is too poor to afford transportation to the town which costs about 2 soles (less than 75 cents). Since his father cannot so accustomed to his treatment that he no longer squirms when we prick him with the IV; rather he shuts his eyes and hums a quiet tune to himself.
Luis Angel Zumaeta Otrera (12 years old)
Touch of Love, Peru P.O. Box 212, Loma Linda, California, 92354
They come with ailments such as malnutrition, infection, and wounds. They are all too poor to afford a regular doctor’s checkup in the main town and so come to this clinic run by AMOR projects. AMOR is a non-profit volunteer run organization with an emphasis on medical dental missions. Your monetary donations would be greatly appreciated to fund the continuation of this clinic as well as campaigns to travel in the area….AMOR targets the poorest neighborhoods that would otherwise receive no attention by offering free medical care.
—From the blog of Victor Longoria
afford to take him to a hospital, he now lives with us in the clinic. We do not have proper facilities to house patients overnight so he stays with the doctor . Luis Angel Zumaeta Otrera has already been here for a week and will be here for a few more. There are now seven different types of medication going through his system throughout the day either from IV’s or pills. Yet, he remains calm and patient, no matter how sick. He has gotten
...As of now there is no long-term plan for the treatment of Angel and all we can do is maintain his strength with antiinflammatory medication and antibiotics. He is still in need of a biopsy to confirm the exact problem with his kidneys. —From the blog of Victor Longoria, 2011-2012 Student Missionary in Peru
“Since
his father can-
not afford to take him to a hospital, he now lives with us in the clinic.”
Victor Longoria, 2011-2012 AMOR Student Missionary in Peru
Page 2
A . M . O. R Pro j e c t s
Just Pray
from the blog of Alejandra Najarro
Women’s Cervical Cancer Survey
The sweat that flows down our faces has
become an all-too-familiar feeling. The first couple of months I laughed off the lack of filtered water or even shower water, the mosquitos and chiggers, and the muddy walks. But now this is home and I have a harder time laughing things off because this is the reality of life here. I have had a hard time with the fact that although all of these things were new and exciting for me at first, I am now realizing that this is how families live here and they know nothing else like I do. I will one day return to life back home and this will one day become a dream. There is so much about life here that I am learning
In
November 2011, AMOR Projects conducted a survey to determine the prevalence of cervical infections and cancer among women in the community where the clinic is located. This project was conducted by Dr. Cecilia Lopez with the assistance of team member Wendy Mirayan and three other community nurses. Using a questionnaire, the survey interviewed 182 women between the age of 25 to 50 living in the neighborhood of Puertocarrerro to inquire about existence of certain behavioral factors as well as signs and symptoms of cervical infections and cancer. An invitation was extended to take a pap smear at the clinic.
As a result, 70 women came to the clinic between 28 November and 2 December to receive a pap smear test. The specimens were sent to the local laboratory for analysis and the results were reviewed with the women a week later. Test Results Two specimens tested positive for potential signs of cancer. The patients were told to return to the clinic the week of December 19th for further examination and biopsy. The survey also showed a very high incidence of vaginal infections and inflammations, as indicated by 62 specimens of the 70 with such symptoms. These patients were treated with antibiotics provided by the clinic. One sample showed signs of menopausal changes caused by the lack of estrogen. Appropriate medicine will be purchased for this patient when it is available at the local pharmacy.
“Why did this happen? Lord….Help me understand.”
slowly. There have been so many things that have happened to us. I will tell you about one of many… One of the most unforgettable nights here was the night where we both lost a life, and helped bring one into this world. Maria was with us for a couple of days. The first day she arrived she was incredibly dehydrated and malnourished. All I remember seeing was immobile bones. I was disturbed by the awful smell in the room whenever I walked in, and looking at her brought tears to my eyes. Her IV was ordered immediately and I went in ready for just about anything. Her blood was as thin as water and it poured out of her as if I had opened a faucet. I had no idea what to expect but I remember being determined to stay strong and help in any way possible. The next couple of hours brought more bad news: terminal cancer. (Cont’d on page 3)...
Only five samples out of 70 came back normal.
Survey Findings Dr. Cecilia states that sexually transmitted diseases
as well as fungus/yeast infections are major risk factors contributing to gynecological problems, infections and cervical cancer in the women she has surveyed. She also identified three main reasons given by those who declined the pap smear test according (Cont’d on page 3)…
A . M . O. R . P ro j e c t s
(from Women’s Cervical Cancer Study, pg. 2)
Page 3
to the survey:
A) They believe the test would
be very painful. B) They are either pregnant, or their husbands did not want them to take the test, thinking it could cause complications for the pregnancy C) Some are already receiving treatment for cervical cancer.
This survey provides an opportunity for AMOR Projects to educate women on the importance of taking the pap smear test and to increase awareness of cervical cancer risk factors. Many have expressed their appreciation for what we have done for them. Several who were not included in the survey have heard of the project by word of mouth, and have come to our clinic requesting gynecology examination and pap smear test.
start a women's health program at our clinic by dedicating one day a week for gynecology examinations, pap smear testing, and education. We can make a difference in these women’s lives, and if with early detection we can save one from cancer, we essentially also save the whole family that she has to care for.
AMOR Projects. The following are some suggestions on how you can help:
$30 - for 10 pap smears including lab test at $3 each. $100 - for one biopsy, diagnostic procedures and other tests $750 - $1,000 - for estimated cost of one surgery $1,500 - overall monthly budget to re-stock medicine for clinic operations
need financial support from AMOR Projects would like to friends and supporters of
A tax-deductible receipt will be In order to make such out- issued for all donations rereach program a reality, we ceived. Thank you very much for your financial support.
(from Just Pray, pg. 2) And the next couple of days were just waiting… for her, her husband, and for us. I did not know what to think when she passed away that Saturday night. I was feeling every emotion possible and I had so many questions for God. All I kept thinking was that she smiled whenever Jamie and I would give her the medication. We were just talking to her not long ago. Why did this happen? Lord… Help me understand. None of us had much time to dwell on this because moments later we were all in the clinic delivering a baby. I was actually trying to figure out how to put an IV into a woman who was having intense contractions. Suddenly, the baby started to come out. NO WARNING. We immediately got into position without much time to process what was happening. Seconds passed by (which felt like an eternity for me) when we saw what should have been the head, but instead was the baby's foot. I remember praying with such a dire passion, Please Lord, not the baby too. Despite the mother´s helpless crying and the doctor trying to calm her, all we could hear was silence. The doctor was pulling and we were all spectators... helpless. God worked miracles that night through Dr. Percy's hands. And I will never forget that moment of pure warmth that ran throughout my body the moment we heard that baby's cry. That moment was the most beautiful moment I have ever experienced, because never did I fear, trust, love, The adventures here which life brings make me fall even more in love with God each day. He has put an amazing group of missionaries here to help me grow in every aspect of this experience, to remind me to fix my eyes upon Jesus through everything life seems to throw our way
Alejandra Najarro, 2011-2012 AMOR Student Missionary In Peru
“I remember
adore God more than in that moment of my life. That night was terrible and amazing. God helped each and every one of the people involved in that night's events. I cannot help but think that God is beyond amazing. The people he has put in my life have been completely supportive and loving throughout every experience.
praying with such a dire passion, Please Lord, not the baby too.”
(whether it be through unexpected death or the miracle that is life) and to remind me to just pray.
Page 4
A . M . O. R Pro j e c t s
My Experience Here
“I am loving this experience. Every day I learn something new about life and people in general. The lifestyle here is just so different. We are all born with our preconceptions of what life is like, and even though I have travelled to different places, I am still learning how much more there is to humanity than what I previously knew. I am also learning more of what it means to be a missionary...that it is to demonstrate love in a world that can be so self-seeking. This seems like an obvious goal for a missionary, and may not seem difficult when dealing with the poor and suffering, especially children. But from my personal experience here in Peru, it can sometimes be difficult to love all people: the punks, the jerks, the creepers, the gross “Without God, there can be no love.” and nasty. And that is when I realize that love only comes from God and that I am not better than anyone else, though it can be easy to think so. Without God there can be no love. Don’t mistake that, and don’t forget it.”
-From the blog of Andrew Correcess, AMOR Student Missionary 2011-2012 in Peru
“I am still learning how much more there is to humanity than what I knew.”
How You Can Help!
Please mail your tax deductible donations to: A.M.O.R Projects P.O. Box 212 Loma Linda, CA 92354 Paypal option available at www.touchofloveperu.org Email: touchofloveperu@gmail.com