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Volunteers bring health care, compassion to Peru

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Contributed by: Meghan Stinton on 8/2/2007

When Janet Ottersberg-Smith watched a woman crawl across the floor after hearing her name being called by a Centura Health volunteer, she was overwhelmed with emotion.

Janet is an occupational therapist and one of many skilled professionals who participated in a mission trip sponsored by Centura Health at Home to Peru this past June. The group set up various miniature clinics in villages that flanked the Amazon River, to educate locals about basic health care and disease prevention.

"It was an absolutely incredible experience," Ottersberg-Smith said. "I would do it again in a minute."

The missionaries worked the city of Iquitos, the largest city in the world that has no road access. With a population of 500,000, the only way to reach Iquitos is by boat or airplane. The health care needs of the population are substantial, but services are both limited and expensive.

To make what difference they could, the Centura volunteers set up makeshift clinics each day in both the jungle and spots throughout the city. Vitamins, antibiotics, and other medicines were distributed based on each villager's needs. Volunteers provided screenings, vaccinations and primary health education to patients.

Although the caregivers provided extensive, hands-on care, the overarching goal of Centura's expedition was to evaluate the specific needs of each village and build strong community relationships. By better understanding the specific ailments, the team would be better equipped to provide targeted assistance on its next venture.

As Ottersberg-Smith explained, "There is so much need for the everyday items we have in the United States that the indigenous people of Peru don't have, and can't afford. The villagers were extremely appreciative we were there."

She recalls one clinic that was assembled in a woman's small home. Families were crammed into the dwelling, patiently waiting for their chance to be treated. One family's name was called three times without response. As a hush fell over the room, the crowd parted to reveal a woman crawling with her two small children walking beside her. Severely crippled by polio, the woman could not fit her wheelchair in the tiny house.

"They don't have the right tools, Ottersberg-Smith said, "They need better treatment supplies and to make the homes wheelchair-accessible. The experience opened our eyes to what we need to bring and do the next trip."

According to trip leader, Melody Wright, the Peruvian mission trip was a global expression of Centura's mission to extend health care to other communities and to better understand their needs to assist them. "Our objective is to continue these trips to provide proper, accessible health care in a dignified and compassionate way."

Centura Health at Home provides home care nursing and therapy, home and residential hospice, home infusion, oxygen services and home medical equipment throughout Colorado. The organization provides care to more than 20,000 patients each year and has locations in Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Durango. For more information on Centura Health at Home or its mission trip contact 303-561-5000 or visit the Web site,
www.centurahealthathome.org

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Meghan Stinton

Littleton , CO

Meghan Stinton has posted 233 stories and 0 comments since joining on 6/26/2007. Meghan Stinton 's average story rating is 4.69.

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