Ecuador: Medical Mission
As some of you know I left for Ecuador on June 20th - 29th for Ecuador on a medical mission. Here is the overview of our journey.
Results of a detailed trip June 15 to 29, 2011
USA VOLUNTEERS
Zully JF Alvarado, President Causes for Change International
Anel Gonzalez, DBTAC: Great Lakes ADA Center
Mark Kovic, OT, Faculty Member at Midwestern University
David Krupa, ROMP
Myrna McNitt, Dominican University River Forest, Graduate School for Social Work
Miranda Brooks, Dental Hygienist
Michelle Christian Corp, Actress
Shellie Carter, Alder Healing Center
Joel Sanders, DDS
Lynn Sanders, Park Avenue Productions
Michael (Doc) Witort, Vibration Therapist
Emily McArthur, Student NWU
Cummings Rork, Student NWU
Andrew Sanders, Student
BACKGROUND
This is a summary of our volunteer trip to the coast of Guayaquil and Manabi during a very intense fourteen day trip to Ecuador. Zully JF Alvarado, Founder and President of Causes for Change International, Myrna McNitt, professor of Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois, and Board Member of the International Foster Care Organization, Mark Kovic, Occupational Therapist , Researcher and Faculty Member at Mid-Western University, and Anel Gonzalez, CCI Accessibility Compliance Experts, Michael Witort, Vibration Therapist, travelled to Ecuador where they were joined by David Krupa, ABC Certified Prosthetist and Volunteer Director of ROMP, to present “Enfrentando la Discapacidad con Optimismo: Ideas Innovadores para Formentar la Inclusion”, a Disability Conference sponsored by CCI, CC- Ecuador, and the Office of the Vice-Prefecta of the Guayas Province.
The conference was intended for government officials, non-governmental organizations, and the leadership of disability groups; to facilitate understanding of the needs of persons with disabilities, universal design, and importance of community involvement at all levels.
The remaining eight volunteers joined the group (17-25) a couple of days later to provide dental care and team support in health and education. Our services focused in the Guayas province: Posorja, Isla Puna and El Progreso
After the departure of the majority of the volunteers on the 25th, three of us remained in order to visit the dental clinics that were started in the Manabí province: Ayampe and Jama and make plans for the creation of the clinic in Guayaquil. The creation of these clinics was made possible through a donation of dental equipment made by Dr. Jeff Kapp of Chicago, and with the financial support of: Rotary Club Cicero, Rotary One, The Manaaki Foundation, Walter S. Mander Foundation, David Feinberg, Patricia Higgins, and Therese Ziegler. The on-going support of many friends and family locally, and international goes without mention.
The extra days allowed for an opportunity to begin the process required for shipment of a mobile dental clinic and an x-ray machine. Funds for shipment will be raised in similar fashion as for the shipment of the dental equipment in 2010.
We express our sincere gratitude to the volunteers of Causas para el Cambio-Ecuador: Margarita Ochoa, Jenny E. Alvarado and Mayra Calpovina, Enid Valarezo, Armando Cervantes, Enid Valarezo, Jose Martinez, and Lorena de Martinez; Pedro Pacheco; the Lara family and Marco Chica, Mayor of Naranjal for their support of the Disability Conference; Andrea Velasquez, Daniel Zea, Luzmilla Nicolaide and her team of the Prefectura of the Guayas Province; the Foundation Balsa-Ecuatoriana, and all the others who made this travel mission a great success.
Results of a detailed trip June 15 to 29, 2011
USA VOLUNTEERS
Zully JF Alvarado, President Causes for Change International
Anel Gonzalez, DBTAC: Great Lakes ADA Center
Mark Kovic, OT, Faculty Member at Midwestern University
David Krupa, ROMP
Myrna McNitt, Dominican University River Forest, Graduate School for Social Work
Miranda Brooks, Dental Hygienist
Michelle Christian Corp, Actress
Shellie Carter, Alder Healing Center
Joel Sanders, DDS
Lynn Sanders, Park Avenue Productions
Michael (Doc) Witort, Vibration Therapist
Emily McArthur, Student NWU
Cummings Rork, Student NWU
Andrew Sanders, Student
BACKGROUND
This is a summary of our volunteer trip to the coast of Guayaquil and Manabi during a very intense fourteen day trip to Ecuador. Zully JF Alvarado, Founder and President of Causes for Change International, Myrna McNitt, professor of Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois, and Board Member of the International Foster Care Organization, Mark Kovic, Occupational Therapist , Researcher and Faculty Member at Mid-Western University, and Anel Gonzalez, CCI Accessibility Compliance Experts, Michael Witort, Vibration Therapist, travelled to Ecuador where they were joined by David Krupa, ABC Certified Prosthetist and Volunteer Director of ROMP, to present “Enfrentando la Discapacidad con Optimismo: Ideas Innovadores para Formentar la Inclusion”, a Disability Conference sponsored by CCI, CC- Ecuador, and the Office of the Vice-Prefecta of the Guayas Province.
The conference was intended for government officials, non-governmental organizations, and the leadership of disability groups; to facilitate understanding of the needs of persons with disabilities, universal design, and importance of community involvement at all levels.
The remaining eight volunteers joined the group (17-25) a couple of days later to provide dental care and team support in health and education. Our services focused in the Guayas province: Posorja, Isla Puna and El Progreso
After the departure of the majority of the volunteers on the 25th, three of us remained in order to visit the dental clinics that were started in the Manabí province: Ayampe and Jama and make plans for the creation of the clinic in Guayaquil. The creation of these clinics was made possible through a donation of dental equipment made by Dr. Jeff Kapp of Chicago, and with the financial support of: Rotary Club Cicero, Rotary One, The Manaaki Foundation, Walter S. Mander Foundation, David Feinberg, Patricia Higgins, and Therese Ziegler. The on-going support of many friends and family locally, and international goes without mention.
The extra days allowed for an opportunity to begin the process required for shipment of a mobile dental clinic and an x-ray machine. Funds for shipment will be raised in similar fashion as for the shipment of the dental equipment in 2010.
We express our sincere gratitude to the volunteers of Causas para el Cambio-Ecuador: Margarita Ochoa, Jenny E. Alvarado and Mayra Calpovina, Enid Valarezo, Armando Cervantes, Enid Valarezo, Jose Martinez, and Lorena de Martinez; Pedro Pacheco; the Lara family and Marco Chica, Mayor of Naranjal for their support of the Disability Conference; Andrea Velasquez, Daniel Zea, Luzmilla Nicolaide and her team of the Prefectura of the Guayas Province; the Foundation Balsa-Ecuatoriana, and all the others who made this travel mission a great success.
06.21
Services in Isla Puna
* services in health and dental care were provided (10 surgeries, 12 hygiene)
* Vibration therapy and Reiki (55)
* Children were engaged in recreational activities
* Women learned how to be self-sufficient, a Committee of Las Damas de Isla Puna was created allowing them to raise $130.00 to help them purchase materials t start a program for women
* Clothing donated
06.22-23
Services in El Progreso
* Several hundreds of children were engaged in recreational activities
* Dental care (41surgeries) and dental hygiene (61)
* Vibration Therapy and Reiki (75)
* General Medicine (provided by the Prefectura)
* Donation of medical supplies and instruments including a microscope was give to the Presidente de la Junta Parroquial Sr. Luis Alberto Núñez, to be used at the Infant Maternal Care Center
* Workshop on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse at Colegio “Pablo Weber Cubillo” to over 550 students age 12-17.
06.24
* Visit Varadero in Posorja at the request of the President of the Parroquia
* Team travel to Guayaquil, visit the historical museum, shopping
* Visit with Vice-Prefecta in government office
06.25
* Volunteer Team Departure to US
* Three remaining volunteers traveled to Ayampe (Zully, Shellie, and Doc Mike)
06.26
* Ribbon Cutting of Ayampe Clinic, Prepared dental supply donations for four clinics
* Road Travel to Jama
06.27
* Visit Jama Clinic and deliver dental supply donation to dentist
* Visit with Mayor of Jama, Museum, Library
06.28
* Returned to Guayaquil
* Meeting with Mr. Ueki, Ingo. Carol Morales
Services in Isla Puna
* services in health and dental care were provided (10 surgeries, 12 hygiene)
* Vibration therapy and Reiki (55)
* Children were engaged in recreational activities
* Women learned how to be self-sufficient, a Committee of Las Damas de Isla Puna was created allowing them to raise $130.00 to help them purchase materials t start a program for women
* Clothing donated
06.22-23
Services in El Progreso
* Several hundreds of children were engaged in recreational activities
* Dental care (41surgeries) and dental hygiene (61)
* Vibration Therapy and Reiki (75)
* General Medicine (provided by the Prefectura)
* Donation of medical supplies and instruments including a microscope was give to the Presidente de la Junta Parroquial Sr. Luis Alberto Núñez, to be used at the Infant Maternal Care Center
* Workshop on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse at Colegio “Pablo Weber Cubillo” to over 550 students age 12-17.
06.24
* Visit Varadero in Posorja at the request of the President of the Parroquia
* Team travel to Guayaquil, visit the historical museum, shopping
* Visit with Vice-Prefecta in government office
06.25
* Volunteer Team Departure to US
* Three remaining volunteers traveled to Ayampe (Zully, Shellie, and Doc Mike)
06.26
* Ribbon Cutting of Ayampe Clinic, Prepared dental supply donations for four clinics
* Road Travel to Jama
06.27
* Visit Jama Clinic and deliver dental supply donation to dentist
* Visit with Mayor of Jama, Museum, Library
06.28
* Returned to Guayaquil
* Meeting with Mr. Ueki, Ingo. Carol Morales
06.29
* Return to US of remaining team volunteers
All children and adults seen for dental care received tooth paste and tooth brush
Medicines provided by the Office of the Prefectura
Schools and newly created dental clinics received dental supplies and instruments
Posorja – Province of Guayas (06.18-20)
Posorja is a small fisher village but has become a growing economic port city in the last years.
Economic and infrastructural development: extension of the highway and connection to highway Esmeraldas-Guayaquil. Development of port as deep water harbor, free trade area, sugar refinery project (for ethanol production), this has been creating an increase in property values and prices. The area is able to produce a variety of fruits and vegetables but the lack of an irrigation program restricts it to one season.
Social situation: The population (30.000) is very young, 37, 5% are younger than 14 years old. As the population is growing fast, schools don’t have enough capacity (average of 60 students/ class, school days run in three shifts), lack of social programs for children and/ or youths. Concerns exist about the increasing number of children who start drug (crack) and alcohol abuse at the age of app. 12 years. Drug trafficking (because of the location on the coast) and sex trade are common among young adults, cases of prostitution of minors (boys and girls) are known. High HIV/ Aids prevalence: over 50% of the deaths in December 2010 were people with AIDS. No access to antiretroviral medication (only in Guayaquil). In many households both parents work leaving children unsupervised. This area over represented in cases of persons with all forms of disabilities with no services to this population.
No existing program for AIDS orphans or children in dysfunctional families. The president of the “Junta Parroquial”, Eng. Luis Alberto Nuñez Cedeño, is welcoming any possible support in finding solutions for the existing and upcoming problems.
“Isla Puna” – Guayaquil (06.21)
Is an island off the coast of southern Ecuador, it is located at the head of the Golf of Guayaquil.
Economic situation: fishing industry.
Infrastructure: access only by boat. There is no public transportation system; motor boats are hired if needed. The Ecuadorian Marine offers emergency transportation for medical cases, but needs at least 1 hr to get to the communities. In order to travel to Guayaquil, people use the trips of intermediaries and other trades people or the drinking water boats.
El Progreso (06.22-23)
Status of Dental Clinics
August 2010
Received Dental Equipment Donation
Dr. Jeff Kapp - Donor
Raised funds for shipment of equipment CCI
September
Equipment transported to Miami
November
Received approval from Ecuador to ship
December
Dental Equipment arrives in Ecuador Equipment released by customs
January, 2011
CCI approved delivery of equipment to Jama, Ayampe, and pending other locations
AYAMPE
Working on building dental/health clinic
June ribbon cutting
JAMA
Community will build clinic
June visit of clinic
BAHIA
Community will build clinic
May approval
COLORADO
A clinic to be located in school grounds
May approval
GUAYAQUIL
A student run clinic
June approval
MOBILE CLINIC
Visit site where mobile unit is located
Requested documentation needed for customs
June 8, 2011
Seeking funds for shipment
Seeking help from shipper
July
X-RAY Equip
Accepted donation – received photos
Seeking funds for shipment
Summary:
The health and Education of children are critical to the prosperity of Ecuador.
Causes for Change International (CCI) together with Causas para el Cambio Ecuador is working on an agreement with the vice-prefecta of Guayas and is requesting to include that this agreement of mutual support can be extended to NGOs partnering with CCI. Dominican University offers volunteer service of their graduate students, professional counseling and support in the development of special programs and staff training (work with sexual abused children, child trafficking, etc.). Mark Kovic of Mid-Western University will work with CCI in program development.
Five dental clinics will be providing care in Ayampe, Jama. Colorado, Bahia Caraquez and Guayaquil, as a result of a major equipment donation by Dr. Jeff Kapp, and the shipment of this equipment supported by Rotary One, Rotary Cicero, Rotary of Puerto Viejo, Manaanki Foundation, C. Wolf, T. Ziegler, and P. Higgins.
Ecuador Country Facts
General facts: (CIA World Fact Book)
- Total population: 14,790,608
- 30, 6% of the population are age 0-14.
- President: Rafael Correa Delgado (since January 2007, elections every 4 years).
- Economy depends on petroleum. US Dollar is official currency since economic crises in 2000.
- Unemployment rate 7.9%
Social situation: (CIA World Fact Book and UNICEF)
- Ecuador is the second poorest country in South America.
- 15% of the population has to survive with less than 1 USD/ day; 35% live under the poverty level.
- HIV prevalence: 0.3% (Honduras: 0.7%)
- The indigenous and afro-Ecuadorian population is more likely to live in poverty.
- App. 250,000 refugees from Colombia are seeking asylum in Ecuador.
* Return to US of remaining team volunteers
All children and adults seen for dental care received tooth paste and tooth brush
Medicines provided by the Office of the Prefectura
Schools and newly created dental clinics received dental supplies and instruments
Posorja – Province of Guayas (06.18-20)
Posorja is a small fisher village but has become a growing economic port city in the last years.
Economic and infrastructural development: extension of the highway and connection to highway Esmeraldas-Guayaquil. Development of port as deep water harbor, free trade area, sugar refinery project (for ethanol production), this has been creating an increase in property values and prices. The area is able to produce a variety of fruits and vegetables but the lack of an irrigation program restricts it to one season.
Social situation: The population (30.000) is very young, 37, 5% are younger than 14 years old. As the population is growing fast, schools don’t have enough capacity (average of 60 students/ class, school days run in three shifts), lack of social programs for children and/ or youths. Concerns exist about the increasing number of children who start drug (crack) and alcohol abuse at the age of app. 12 years. Drug trafficking (because of the location on the coast) and sex trade are common among young adults, cases of prostitution of minors (boys and girls) are known. High HIV/ Aids prevalence: over 50% of the deaths in December 2010 were people with AIDS. No access to antiretroviral medication (only in Guayaquil). In many households both parents work leaving children unsupervised. This area over represented in cases of persons with all forms of disabilities with no services to this population.
No existing program for AIDS orphans or children in dysfunctional families. The president of the “Junta Parroquial”, Eng. Luis Alberto Nuñez Cedeño, is welcoming any possible support in finding solutions for the existing and upcoming problems.
“Isla Puna” – Guayaquil (06.21)
Is an island off the coast of southern Ecuador, it is located at the head of the Golf of Guayaquil.
Economic situation: fishing industry.
Infrastructure: access only by boat. There is no public transportation system; motor boats are hired if needed. The Ecuadorian Marine offers emergency transportation for medical cases, but needs at least 1 hr to get to the communities. In order to travel to Guayaquil, people use the trips of intermediaries and other trades people or the drinking water boats.
El Progreso (06.22-23)
Status of Dental Clinics
August 2010
Received Dental Equipment Donation
Dr. Jeff Kapp - Donor
Raised funds for shipment of equipment CCI
September
Equipment transported to Miami
November
Received approval from Ecuador to ship
December
Dental Equipment arrives in Ecuador Equipment released by customs
January, 2011
CCI approved delivery of equipment to Jama, Ayampe, and pending other locations
AYAMPE
Working on building dental/health clinic
June ribbon cutting
JAMA
Community will build clinic
June visit of clinic
BAHIA
Community will build clinic
May approval
COLORADO
A clinic to be located in school grounds
May approval
GUAYAQUIL
A student run clinic
June approval
MOBILE CLINIC
Visit site where mobile unit is located
Requested documentation needed for customs
June 8, 2011
Seeking funds for shipment
Seeking help from shipper
July
X-RAY Equip
Accepted donation – received photos
Seeking funds for shipment
Summary:
The health and Education of children are critical to the prosperity of Ecuador.
Causes for Change International (CCI) together with Causas para el Cambio Ecuador is working on an agreement with the vice-prefecta of Guayas and is requesting to include that this agreement of mutual support can be extended to NGOs partnering with CCI. Dominican University offers volunteer service of their graduate students, professional counseling and support in the development of special programs and staff training (work with sexual abused children, child trafficking, etc.). Mark Kovic of Mid-Western University will work with CCI in program development.
Five dental clinics will be providing care in Ayampe, Jama. Colorado, Bahia Caraquez and Guayaquil, as a result of a major equipment donation by Dr. Jeff Kapp, and the shipment of this equipment supported by Rotary One, Rotary Cicero, Rotary of Puerto Viejo, Manaanki Foundation, C. Wolf, T. Ziegler, and P. Higgins.
Ecuador Country Facts
General facts: (CIA World Fact Book)
- Total population: 14,790,608
- 30, 6% of the population are age 0-14.
- President: Rafael Correa Delgado (since January 2007, elections every 4 years).
- Economy depends on petroleum. US Dollar is official currency since economic crises in 2000.
- Unemployment rate 7.9%
Social situation: (CIA World Fact Book and UNICEF)
- Ecuador is the second poorest country in South America.
- 15% of the population has to survive with less than 1 USD/ day; 35% live under the poverty level.
- HIV prevalence: 0.3% (Honduras: 0.7%)
- The indigenous and afro-Ecuadorian population is more likely to live in poverty.
- App. 250,000 refugees from Colombia are seeking asylum in Ecuador.
Thank you for your financial and spiritual support and prayers this journey has been one that has changed my life and the life of others forever. Your support is what gives me the freedom to make a difference in the lives across the world.
With Love and Gratitude,
Shellie
With Love and Gratitude,
Shellie
