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Tulcan, Ecuador Summer 2004
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Summer 2004
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Tulcan, Ecuador Summer 2004
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Summer 2004
We left on Wednesday around 6pm. Dr. Zambranoīs five-passenger truck was full of passengers, suitcases, and dental/medical equipment. Mesías and Juan in a bus. We drove over 4 hours north to Tulcan, a border town with Colombia. That morning we woke up really early and went to the public hospital for breakfast with all the people from operation smile. Chicken, rice, and eggs. Kevin quipped he couldnīt decide which to eat first, the chicken or the egg!
We left Kevin & Jessica at the hospital to help with surgeries and the rest of us (5 others--me, our newest volunteer Ashley, Juan (his son), and Mesias (member of the church, and technical assistant)). We drove to the main government building of Tulcan, and there we met up with Dr. Victor. He made a few phone calls for us we ended up going to an elementary school, so we could serve more people. There Ashley and I gave fluoride to about 150 kids. Dr. Zambrano gave fluoride to another 100, and many extraccions to 25 children then did dental work on others. We were VERY busy to say the least.
We ate lunch again at the hospital. That afternoon we rested. Then Dr. Zambrano met with the gorvenor of the province, setting up connections for future Charity Anywhere projects in Tulcan. (El Carchi is the second poorest province in Ecuador after the Galapagos Islands, so consequently all government and foreign aid goes to the Galapagos, leaving Tulcan behind). The need in that province was very evident and humbling. But what was really hard to see was the eyes of the mothers who brought their children to have the cleft pallet surgery. They looked so desperate yet hopeful. At the governorīs office, some reporters took our pictures. Charity Anywhere was in the local paper that Saturday.
On Friday we went to another school. Kevin and Ashley did vital signs and basic medicine with the children. Once again I did fluoride, and Dr. Zambrano did dental work. The people there were very grateful. While trying to clean the room & set up, Kevin entertained the 30-40 students with juggling and tricks. Then we both played games with the kids (me with girls, him with the boys). We played limbo, missionary tag, and duck duck goose. It was very fun. Then we gave the anti-parasite presentation, gave each child the pills, and THEN began the dental work.
We helped 100 people. By the early afternoon word must of spread to the town that "doctors" were there, because several adults with their toddlers started arriving seeking help. They were a very gracious people. I really enjoyed that day of service. Then afterwards the wife of the govenor treated us all to Chinese food and showed us the famous topiary gardens in the Tulcan cemetary.
Then we went to COLOMBIA! She, Dr. Victor, and three bodyguards accompanied us. However we didnīt know that there were 3 bodyguards until later. They were incognito.
Saturday morning we left Tulcan and stopped in Otavalo to buy things at the market. Then we came home that night and taught English classes at the church. Quite a busy three days, but very rewarding and fun.
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