Clinical Cultural Immersion: The Peru Experience

Student Narratives - 20 March 2006 - Kelli Wright

Father Alex took us to an outdoor market on Tuesday morning.  This is where the local people can buy anything from clothing, electronics, shoes, food, fruit, and live animals (guinea pigs, chickens, ducks, birds, etc.).  Many of the vendors carried freshly slaughtered meat that was not refrigerated and was covered in flies.  The meat we saw included: pig hooves, huge skinless cow heads, and sides of beef and chicken.  The way the meat was kept concerned us, but Father Alex reassured us that the people eat these products without problems or sickness.  Since this was something none of us had seen it was a great opportunity for us to see the day-to-day lives of the people of Arequipa. It also demonstrated that many parts of the world do not provide the conveniences we frequently take for granted.

On Wednesday the Alpacas and Condors switched locations, with the Alpacas participating in activities within the mission and the Condors going to the clinic.  The Alpacas have now gotten to experience knitting with the ladies in the community.  Knitting is a way for the women to make money and support their families and it has become a time for us to learn about the lives of these women.  The Alpacas also conducted and recorded heights and weights for approximately 50 children in the day care center.  The average heights and weights are smaller than those in the United States due genetic factors and sometimes related to malnutrition.  The Alpacas felt they were contributing to the community by providing useful screenings to facilitate the clinic staff evaluate the needs of the community.

The Condors rotated through the various positions in the clinic.  They also had the opportunity to participate in home visits.  Most visits were to homebound elderly patients who spent most the day alone while their family members worked.  These elderly patients were struggling with Activities of Daily Livings (ADL) and most lived in poverty.  While many of these problems are similar to the challenged faced by US citizens who live in poverty, the living conditions from our perspective appear more severe.  For example, many of the homes were one room (10 ft X 10 ft, approximately), no running water, no electricity, infested with flies, and dirty.  We assisted with bed baths, physical and overall health assessments, and basic medical/nursing care.  While we were shocked living conditions, we also see the difference the mission is making in the lives of the people.

On Friday afternoon, we met with the elderly of the community to participate in a program involving exercise, singing, and social interaction, including a meal.  We collaborated with a physical therapy student visiting from England to lead in the exercises.  This was an enjoyable experience!

Sincerely,

The Condors....Kelli, Erin, Lauren, Erin H., and Miriam

Photos

Dr. Heinrich knitting

Blair Prevatte measuring one child's height

Erin Holland with Teresa, a nurse at the clinic

Students leading the elderly in exercises at the church

Elderly of the community participating in exercises

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Please check the website each Monday and Wednesday for newly posted written and pictorial accounts of the students' experiences.