News from Peru

From Iquitos

You just need to start thinking on moving, to see the rain in the horizon. In Iquitos we had a small and old house and we knew that we could not help guests in such a small place. We had to get a larger house. We moved in the new house in a rush, as we were expecting seven guests from Lima. Our one day move included packing boxes, renting two trucks, hiring three workers, four trips to the new house and leaving the old house clean. The last load only got a little wet with the rain.

It was one of those days when moving day in USA looked like a game. Once the goods were delivered, we just had to clean the new house and get it in order as we really had no exact time for the arrival of the visitors. They were on a ten or twelve day trip from Lima to Iquitos via the mountains, road to Pucallpa and boat to Iquitos. Four teenagers and three adults. Marta Napuri was among them.

From "El Fundo"

Construction has not stopped at "El Fundo". Your contribution is paying for these improvements that all visitors enjoy. Several of these improvements will look trivial to many, but are quite important when you are visiting the tropical rainforest region. We have a new bathroom, mens and ladies sections with a cement floor, showers and toilets (with seats!).

Not as fancy as in a hotel, but then we live in the jungle! We think that our visitors will be impressed with the improvements. Our next addition planned is a dormitory with a first floor laboratory, solar powered lights and equipment. We will be looking for a centrifuge and solar refrigerator for vaccines. Donations are going to come in handy to get new gear for the improvements at our little place in the Amazonian jungle.

Fish stories!

The hope that we have had since we started this mission was to help the local people to understand conservation of the Amazonia. One of the projects that we have undertaken will show just how we can use local people and provide an income. Fish can be exported as exotic species to developed countries. We have contacted a restaurant in California that has shown interest in importing the fish to serve in their place. For us, it will not only be a new source of income, but also an example to the local community of how they can better manage the local resources. For now, we have a couple of ponds that we are planning to stock with local fish species.

More projects

We are always excited about new projects. Some of these projects are small, such as fixing door mosquito nets or building new bathrooms. However, there are some projects that we start every so often that are beyond what we have ever imagined doing in the Amazonia. Here is a brief description of some of these new projects:

• We sold oranges at the market in Iquitos, progress is slow but steady.
• We have written a project to work with turtles (read all about it in the next issue!).
• A new and very exciting project is being developed by Rocio Acera Pozzi, a former volunteer here in Peru. The project involves developing socially/politically conscious theater, with the aim of empowering young adults and late teenagers of the riverside communities along the Amazon river.
• The 6th encounter of the Vigilantes de Salud (Health Promoters) will be happening soon with the certification and presentation of first aid chests for villages (by the way, we need donations to continue this great program, mainly because we need to buy first aid chests. Any help is appreciated!)

APECA continues working in remote upper Amazon River villages. Having developed a health program that addresses improvement of health conditions in remote villages, we continue to facilitate existing services as the year 2000 marks the initiation of APECA PERU's Education Project.

The education project is working toward the improvement of the existing program provided by the Peruvian Ministry of Education. Working with the professionals who are within the system, APECA is developing an educational proposal that promotes conservation of ecosystems and preventive health education for the rural population of the Amazon River.

The objective of the APECA PERU Education Project is the development of preventive health and conservation teaching materials. These materials are intended to benefit the population of the Amazon river rainforest through the presentation of materials in communities and educational institutions.

The project invites participation at the location of the project and in other aspects throughout the duration. Two-month visits are welcomed and encouraged as they provide the visitor and the residents a more complete experience. Professionals will be available for consultation. Special study opportunities can be arranged with sufficient advance notice.

APECA PERU is engaged in several investigations and invites applicants to participate. Independent study opportunities assits APECA in analysis of existing community and environmental conditions. Small groups are possible throughout the year with prior notice.

Campaña de Salud Odontológica
UConn Dental Mission

The dental students of the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine recently conducted another succesful dental mission. Eighteen third year dental students, along with three preceptors dentists, spend their spring vacation at El Fundo. In a four-day period, they performed fundamental dental emergency care, consisting of dental extractions, on over 800 native Peruvians along the Amazon river. Patients arrived from over 50 villages to 11 separate outdoor clinics established at Tamshiyacu, río Amazonas and río Tahuayo.

The boat that Pablo built, the "Stop-Gap", was the primary source of transportation for the teams. It was given a real workout and greatly appreciated when it rained. The renovations at El Fundo, especially the new shower-bathroom complex, were deemed noteworthy by returning project members.

The trip was planned and coordinated by Mike Stern and Todd Carter both of whom had made the trip to El Fundo the previous year. Another returnee, Dr. Michael Goupil, who made the trip in 1998 and serves as the project coordinator and student advisor, accompanied them.

Gina hosted the students for dinner the first night at the new APECA PERU headquarters in Iquitos. Members of the Board of Directors were also there and lively discussions were conducted with several of the students acting as interpreters. On the last day, Gina and Pablo provided breakfast along with a trip to one of the major hospitals in Iquitos. This was an eye-opening experience for all.

The students all came away with a very positive experience. They have an opportunity to improve their dental skills while at the same time providing a very valuable service to the local population.

The dental project was originally started by Dr. Robert Hall of Farmington, CT and was tuned over to the dental students in 1995. It has become one of the most popular community service projects within the School. The trip is a primarily for third year students and half of the class were able to participate this year. Efforts are already underway for next year's trip. If the response continues to increase, two trips will be considered. Hopefully this will include medical students also.