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Clean Water
Undeniably, unsafe water is a leading concern of health experts around the world. More people die each year from unsafe water than from all forms of violence, including war. Overall in Peru, 33% of the population does not have access to safe drinking water. In the District of Fernando Lores, the percentage grows to greater than 99% of the population. The Ministry of Health estimates that over half of all the deaths in the district of Fernando Lores are due to water born diseases. The villages in the District of Fernando Lores collect their water from the Amazon River or from contaminated wells. APECA was asked to help the community or Nuevo Progresso find a way to have clean drinking water. Nuevo Progresso is approximately 15 minutes by fast boat downstream from APECA's "El Fundo" field headquarters, outside of Tamshiyacu When APECA/UConn Dental Campaign was in the village one of the preceptors took time to look at the problem. Back home he took the initiative to raise money through the Rotary Club of East Hartford, Connecticut, for a rainwater catchment system at the "posta medica". Using materials purchased and transported by APECA and assisted by Pablo Guerra, community volunteers built and maintain the catchment system. Now, collected rainwater is stored and treated, providing a source of safe, clean drinking water. More of these systems are desperately needed. APECA has identified 30 villages where this type of system is viable and APECA, Rotary Clubs in the USA and Rotary International are working to make it happen. General Health & Vaccination Program
By Gina Low "Never again will I enter a remote community without being able to provide some level of health care!" This is the promise I made to myself in January of 1993 when, as an uneducated tourist, I first visited villages along the Amazon River of Peru. In April of that year, I returned for only a week to purchase a boat to travel the rivers and streams of this flood plain that is home to thousands of people who live in tiny villages. The plan was to learn more about the living conditions of these rainforest dwellers determine if they wanted any assistance and if so, what. Having made my promise, I went also prepared to give emergency medical attention with a full First Aid Kit and a fair knowledge of pharmaceutical medicine. The task was a survey of villages that would give us an opportunity to meet the elected officials, see the school, health care facility, share knowledge of natural medicine and gather some data. Most important, it opened the door. In this case, it opened the door to the village for the future APECA and it opened the door of El Trochero to receive thousands of villagers who had no other opportunity to receive free health care. Every morning, as I woke to the sound of water lapping at the head of my bunk bed on the boat, I would look out the port hole to see villagers in dugouts waiting for help. Some were from a nearby village, others had traveled for days and nights. They could not pay the fees at the government health care and they had little confidence in the health care providers. Eleven years later, APECA facilitates the work of the Ministry of Health with transportation in the field. The relationships that APECA has fostered bridge the gap of qualified service provider and remote villager. We bring the health care workers to the villages to deliver vaccines to children and pregnant mothers, birth control, TB treatments, Malaria testing, and all the other programs available to the population close to the central hospital post of the district. Our data is clear. When the villages are not reached by a vaccine campaign, there will be out breaks of whooping cough, tetanus and a higher rate of respiratory deaths for children under five years of age. Introducing APECA’s Board of Directors USAAPECA is an international organization comprised of two registered non profit institutions. APECA USA, founded in 1993, is registered as APECA, Inc. responsible for financial development. APECA Peru, founded in 1994, is registered in Peru as APECA and is responsible for programs and activities that address the mission of the combined international organization. Over the years dedicated people have given APECA a piece of their lives. As in any organization, the membership on the board changes over time. To the new members on the board, we welcome you. Your are joining an organization that for over a decade has worked to improve the lives of others through educational, conservation, community development and health programs. To those retiring, thank you for all those hours of hard work. Your actions have not only helped others but actually saved many lives. Something of which to be very proud. APECA. Inc. BOARD OF DIRECTORS (Fall 2004):
ADVISORS:
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