By gayle savage davidson | project Leader/Founder
We are expecting 800-1000 participants this summer, most of them are youth. The medications are packed and ready to go. We have equipment available for the youth to use. Many of the youth are in high school or college and are interested in medical care.
They will work in the village clinics taking vital signs, triage, comforting, interpreting, helping in the pharmacy and observing the way we diagnose the problems. This is a great education for a young person.
They are also very enthusiastic. Sometimes there is a person that can not be helped in a small village clinic so we find them a ride to the nearest hospital. The youth often go with the patient as they are so involved in their care. There have been times no family can be located so the teen will stay with them in the hospital or we will take turns. They learn a compassionate side of medicine that is not in place in America. The hospital is a whole new experience as they do not supply what they need to be taken care of adequately. (we often have to go to a pharmacy and buy what they need and give it to the family or patient. Giving it to the hospital staff usually ends up in disappearing.
They also learn that they are fortunate to be from the United States as care in a 3rd world country is just not up to par.
The students learn to work in the pharmacy, label and explain medications and treatments. Many physically care for the patient, through wound care or education, or simply supplying comfort. It is not always possible to fix the problem.
They also learn to depend on resourses. We have physican teams that come down the rest of the year to help with the more difficult problems, like cleft palate repair.
The students are enriched in a way that is not possible in the states. I would also like to believe they learn a compassion for people which is sadly missing in medical care systems all over the world.
Thank you for this opportunity. As we get more funds we will do more.
Thanks, gayle davidson
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