Our team of Rotarians and other professionals travelled to Pisac, Peru to conduct an educational medical out-reach project to 7 remote, high Andean villages. Funded through a Rotary International Vocational Training Team Global Grant and contributions from the above noted clubs. Ground support and direction was provided by DeseaPeru - a local clean water and health promotion program started by two BC residents, Sandra McGirr & Sandy Hart, from Tatla Lake BC. The training was specific to 4 areas: medical, physiotherapy, psychological, and first aid.
In early 2015 Dr. Kathleen Ross made a proposal to the Rotary Club of Coquitlam to support the work she had begun previously to partner with an organization in Lamay, Peru – Desea. This organization has been carrying on services to the indigenous Quechua people in the Sacred Valley of Peru for the past 9 years. They set up Qhalis - the Quechua word for community health workers - in the villages they serve. The Coquitlam Rotary Club supported the project and other local Rotary clubs were invited to join the campaign.
The Team: Dr. Kathleen Ross, Dr. Jim Lane, Mary Ann Lane, Claudia Kraemer, Doug Wickers, Dr. Terry Colton, Joanna Boyd, Matthew Witt, Cristian Toribio, Mike Hamel. Medical supplies were purchased or donated - by local organizations such as Rotary World Help Network, pharmacists Tan Ho and Lap Wu of the Austin Pharmacy in Coquitlam. The team departed with 23 bags (each weighing 50 lbs.) of medications, equipment and supplies..
Thank you to the donors to Rotary, the local Rotary Clubs of Coquitlam, Port Moody, Chilliwack, Sedro-Wooley WA, and Delta! Thank you to DeseaPeru and the Quechua people, the ancient peoples of Peru for accepting us into their lives.
Dr. Kathleen Ross' story:
I joined the Rotary Club of Coquitlam in 2014 when my commitment to local Girl Guide leading reduced. I wanted to continue my community service locally and incorporate a wider international focus. Consistent with the Rotary commitment to Service Above Self, our club supports a variety of local community and international projects, including the ongoing drive to eradicate Polio.
In 2015 I received a Rotary International Global Grant to lead a medical outreach and educational program in the Sacred Valley Region of Peru. I had volunteered with a medical outreach program in the valley in 2014 and identified many needs that where not addressed by simply dropping into the remote villages occasionally. The Quechua are a gentle people who live as subsistence farmers in very isolated locations above 4000m. There is no infrastructure, electricity or clean water. They have limited access to medical care and no emergency response mechanisms. Calling for help entails someone climbing a mountain to get cell phone service, if they recognize the emergency.
Working with an on the ground organization, DESEA Peru and the Rotary Club of Cusco, I led our team of health care professionals in 3 week campaign to expand the knowledge of local health promotors, DESEA staff, community members, and Health Posta workers in the areas of: disease identification and prevention, emergency first aid, safe birthing and post partum hemorrhage and conflict resolution. Our project received the International Service Multi Club Award for District 5050 in 2016.
I continue to return annually to provide ongoing support, education and medical services to these remote Andean communities. Assisting in the education and empowerment of many shy, isolated, and often illiterate women has been inspiring.
“Dr. Kathleen Ross has been a strong supporter of DESEA Peru, providing valuable, relevant and culturally-sensitive care to the indigenous populations of the Andes, as well as overall support for diverse aspects of the DESEA Peru project. We have found Kathleen to have the unique quality of being both a strong leader and a team player. She is highly organized, motivated, passionate and positive, and has an incredible gift of bringing people together. Kathleen has been an important part of DESEA Peru’s success, supporting the project with fundraising, promotion, and highly effective medical and educational services. There is no doubt that Kathleen would bring these same valuable skills to the position of President of the Doctors of BC. “
Sandra McGirr
President, DESEA Peru
For more information on DESEA, visit www.facebook.com/DESEAPeru