Charity Anywhere Foundation

Expedition
Esmeraldes, Camarones, Loreto and Atacames, Ecuador
Summer 2004

Esmeraldes, Camarones, Loreto and Atacames, Ecuador

Summer 2004

Here“s the latest report!

This past weekend we traveled to the Northwestern Coast of Ecuador. We went to Esmeraldes, Camarones, and Atacames.

On Thursday we packed up all the supplies. Then on Friday, we loaded up the Zambrano“s truck and a seventeen passenger school bus. Dr. Zambrano and his family went in the truck with the supplies. In the van we had 6 volunteers, 4 dental studnets, 1 doctor, 1 nurse, and 1 technical assistant (plus the chaufer and his wife). We drove 6 hours and arrived at the Loreto Orphanage in Esmeraldes at around 8pm. Then all 15 of us we went and ate dinner at a local pizza and pasta place. That night we slept at the orphanage, where 2 more dental students joined us.

We woke up early the next morning to the nuns praying over the load speaker, ate breakfast, then started our service. First we shared our talents. Kevin juggled, Dave & Lilly led the kids in singing songs and played the violin guitar. After their duet, the children started chanting, "otra, otra, otra." They children were very good singers and a great audience, I was impressed they requested an encore. Then we gave our antiparasite presentation, and all the children and nuns were given the chewable pills. Next followed the flouride treatment. Then Dr. Zambrano and the dental students did 25 extractions and attended to the dental needs. Dr. Miranda, the nurse, and the 2 medical student volunteers attended to about 20 children with medical needs. Then we packed up and drove to Camarones. There we were served a humble lunch, prepared with love. Then we set up optometry, doctor“s room, dental room, and pharmacy. Once again we gave a short program highlighting musical and juggling talents. Then administered the anti-parasite medication to everyone. Dr. Zambrano and his team of his son Juan, the 4 dental students, and Mesķas (the master technician) attened to 90 people giving fluoride to all the children and performing extractions.

Dr. Miranda, the nurse, and Kevin (medical student) attended to 82 people-Dr. Miranda working late into the night. In the pharmacy Jessica and Lilly worked as a powerful team combining knowledge of medicine and speaking Spanish to fill prescriptions and explain to the patients the proper doses. Ashley and I (Emily) worked giving eye tests and trying to find lenses to help many older patients be able to read again. We gave out over 50 pairs of glasses.

That night we stayed at a hotel in Atacames and there enjoyed a pleasant dinner, coqueros (YUMMY ice-cream popsicles), and good night“s rest. The next day we walked along the beach, swam, and returned to Qutio around 7pm. Overall it was a great trip. We were especially touched with the graciousness of the children in Loreto. All of us were charmed with their smiles, talents, and trust. In Camarones, the need was very great and it was humbling to serve them. More than once I felt the Spirit there. Sometimes I felt like a paticular pair of glasses stuck out, and when I tried them they seemed to be a perfect match! One gentleman had one perfect eye and the left eye was almost blind. But we actually found a pair of glasses with almost his exact prescription! Everyone was very grateful for the service that day, and despite the long hours, all the volunteers were energized from the service.

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