Valledupar – Colombia (Mission 4)

Rosario Pomarejo Hospital, Valledupar – Colombia; October 21-28, 2007

The fourth mission was held in Valledupar, Colombia from October 21-28th, 2007. Twenty three volunteers from California made up the team including nurses, echocardiogram technician, occupational therapist, medical students, gynecologists, pediatricians, neonatologists, a neurosurgeon, an ophthalmologist and a few non-medical volunteers. The main activities were held at Rosario Pomarejo Hospital in Valledupar, where over 600 patients, mainly from the local indigenous group called the Arhuacos, were seen and treated. 163 procedures like eye surgery, gynecological surgery, neurosurgery and echocardiograms were performed. In addition, the pediatricians and neonatologists treated several hundred patients at outpatient clinics in 3 different remote villages in the region and at 2 other clinics in the city of Valledupar. These were patients belonging to the local indigenous groups- the Arhuacos and Kankuamas. There was a tremendous amount of cultural and educational exchanges throughout the mission, between the visiting team and the many native Colombian medical and non-medical volunteers. The team got to experience the lush greenery and the beautiful mountainous countryside of the region’s villages at Crespo, Jwerwa and Nabusimake.

At the end of the mission, the Arhuacos held a ceremony to give thanks and gave each member a small token of appreciation. Thanks to the hard work and support of the Fundacion EsCultura and its members, AGC was able to accomplish its goal of working with the local indigenous people. This was another great educational and service experience for the team.

There are some photos from this mission.