This mission took place at the Department President Hayes in the region of "El Chaco" in Paraguay . Three organizations teamed up to carry out this project; Charity Anywhere Foundation, Peery Foundation, and the Fundacion Paraguay. The project took place from September 21, 2006 to October 1, 2006.
Our team from Charity Anywhere consisted of, 4 General Doctors, 2 Plastic Surgeons, 6 Dentists, 2 Nurses in Surgery area, 3 assistants and coordinators, and 2 dental lab technicians.
Our team was supported by the Paraguay Foundation with local coordinators, local Doctors and nurses, nursing students from a University in Asuncion , and the student volunteers from the Agricultural school where we had our clinic.
This crew made an unforgettable and successful expedition in Paraguay .
Both Charity Anywhere and Paraguay Foundation were sponsored by the Peery Foundation.
We also had a team of two photographers from America documenting our expedition.
Day One - Friday Sep. 22, 2006
After a long day and night of flying we arrived in Paraguay and took a bus into to a rural area north of Asuncion . We arrived at the Agricultural School San Fransisco de Asis and after getting settled in immediately began setting up our clinic in an old church that is currently used by the Agricultural school for high school students. That afternoon we worked from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.
In Medicine:
In that time frame the doctors saw 71 patients and 58 of them received medication prescriptions. The most common medical problems we saw were: Intestinal Parasites, Skin Infections, Vitamin Deficiencies, Pharyngitis, Urinary tract infection, Headaches, Bronchitis, Upper respiratory infections, Hypertension, and Allergies.
In the Dental Clinic:
We attended to 8 patients, on which 21 procedures were done including: 11extractions, 6 cleanings, and 4 cavity fillings.
Day two- Saturday Sep 23, 2006
People from the local villages started lining up as early as 4:30 in the morning to be seen. Upon arriving at the clinic people were crowded onto the steps in front of the church waiting to be seen. Today we worked from 7:30 am to 7:00 PM
In Medicine:
Doctors saw 150 patients and 160 medicine prescriptions were distributed. We saw many of the same problems in our patients along with the new medical diagnosis of Bronchitis, Otitis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Scabies, Avilomirosis, Lumbalgia, and a case of Pique in the feet of two little boys (Pique are an insect native to the area that burrow there way into the feet and lay their eggs in the feer, If not removed the Pique will just keep spreading and spreading through out the feet)
In Surgery:
8 patients were attended to in the surgery room by our plastic surgeons. 21 mole removals were performed, a tumor removal in the cheek, removal of a Cyst, Frontal region reconstruction, and zetoplasty of a nose. Hand reconstruction supernumerary finger. Keloids in arm
In Dentistry:
50 people were taken care of, 18 procedures performed including: 52 extractions, 38 fillings, 14 cleanings, 4 fluoride treatments were performed.
Day 3- Sunday Sep. 24, 2006
Today several of us attended the local LDS church services in the morning. The members were grateful to have us and a few members from the team were asked to bear their testimonies in sacrament meeting. We invited the members to the clinic. The rest of the team stayed at the clinic and resumed work from 7:30 am to 2:00 pm.
In Medicine:
In this time frame the doctors attended to 84 patients and 74 prescriptions were given out. New diagnosis of the day were anemia, Gastritis, Amigadilitis, Gripal Syndrome,
In Surgery:
2 people attended, Scar resection of over a burn skin with digital retraction, two procedures of Reconstruction were done, Zetoplasty and Reasamblement of tissue at the end.
In Dentistry:
26 people were taken care of getting done 60 procedures finished on them. 34 fillings, 21 extractions, 5 cleanings. The percentage of ages varied but 50 % of our patients were between 20 up to 60 years old. 48% of our patients between 13 up to 19 years old; and 1 % for people on ages between 6 up to 12 years old of age.
Day 4- Monday Sep. 25, 2006
We started at 7:30 am again and worked till 7:00 pm.
In Medicine:
We set a record high today in the medical clinic where we saw 281 patients of which 242 received prescriptions. Diagnosis were similar to before with a few additional diagnosis of Menopause, Leucorrhea and Neuritis
In surgery :
Thirteen patients received surgeries today and 26 procedures performed of which included numerous mole and cist removals
In Dentistry:
91 people were seen of which 176 procedures were performed successfully which consisted of 105 extractions, 52 fillings, 16 cleanings, and 2 fluoride treatments.
60% of the patients seen between 20 to 60 years old
15% were 13- 19 years old
14% were 6 to 12 years old
8% older than 60
2% younger than 5
Day 5- Tuesday Sep 26, 2006
Work ran from 7:30 am to 7:00 pm again
In Medicine:
We saw 249 people in the medical area and gave out 244 prescriptions. Common diagnosis were similar to prior days
In Surgery:
15 individuals were seen in the surgery room today. The procedures performed were
In Dentistry:
87 patients were taken care of including 216 procedures. 110 fillings, 85 extractions, 16 cleanings, and 5 fluoride treatments.
55 % between 20 to 60 yrs old
20% between 13-19 yrs
15% between 6-13 yrs
8% above 60 yrs
2% under 5 yrs
Day 6 - Wednesday Sep 27. 2006
We worked from 7:30 am to 7:00 pm again.
In Medicine:
In Medicine we saw 203 patients and gave 198 recipients medications. Diagnosis was similar to prior days.
In Surgery:
Ten patients received treatment.
In Dentistry:
80 patients were seen and 189 dental procedures were performed including 84 fillings, 56 extractions, 28 cleanings, 19 fluoride treatments, and 2 dental surgeries.
Tonight we were entertained with some traditional dancing and music from the locals. It turned into a night of dancing and fun that included people of several different cultures breaking down the walls and enjoying one another's company. It was a spectular experience for many!
Day 7- Thursday Sep 28, 2006
It rained all night and morning so patient numbers were diminished today. We worked into the afternoon and then took some time to visit a local village of the Native Toba Qom people and buy souvenirs from their little shops.
In surgery:
Seven patients were seen today
In Dentistry:
62 people were seen and 161 procedures performed including: 77 fillings, 32 cleanings, 28 fluoride treatments, and 24 extractions. Patient age percentages were similar to prior days
Tonight after dinner we took sometime to reflect on the week and thank everyone who helped make this mission possible. The locals presented us each with a hand woven blanket that was made from wool from the sheep on the agricultural farm. Many tears were shed as we read the letter received from a ten year old boy who had received surgery earlier in the week. We were full of gratitude for the amazing experience we has just been a part of.
Day 8- Friday Sep. 29, 2006
After all our hard work we had a chance to travel by bus to do a little tourism. We crossed the border to Brazil and visited Iguazu falls. It was a breathtaking experience! We also had a chance to visit the largest dam in the world on the border of Paraguay and partake of some fine traditional dining.
Day 9 - Saturday Sep 30, 2006
We had the opportunity to spend some time shopping in the city of Asuncion before making our way to the airport to head home. Then we arrived at the airport and said our goodbyes to the friends we made from the Fundacion Paraguay and we were headed back home with hearts full of gratitude for the opportunity we had to serve and open our hearts to the wonderful people of Paraguay
In addition to all of the above:
-60 dental prosthesis (dentures) were made for the people of Cerrito , Paraguay .
Many people were lined up all day waiting to have dentures made for them. Many people were missing many teeth due to lack of hygiene and dental care so dentures were in high demand. The Dental technicians worked late into the night to meet the demands.
-120 glucose tests were taken and the local nursing students were taught how to take blood glucoses
- In Ophthalmology a local volunteer ophthalmologist saw 109 patients and 74 patients received eye glasses
- Hygiene kits and special awards were also given out to the high school students of the agricultural school to recognize them for their hard work in contributing to the project
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