Alan, Becca and Joshua are working in San Ramón in the province of Chanchamayo – the entry point to the selva central, Peru’s central rain forest. They have been fully engaged in their service assignments, working mornings and afternoons. Still, the students also have enjoyed their host families as well as the flora, fauna and warm temperatures of San Ramón, which is located along the Carretera Central (the central highway) that links Lima in the west to the rain forest in the east.
Alan, Becca and Joshua have been living at Gad Gha Kum Lodge, a beautiful hotel and camping complex just outside San Ramón.
San Ramón, which has about 30,000 residents, is located in the departamento (state) of Junín, on the eastern foothills of the Andes mountain range. At 2,600 feet above sea level, the temperatures this time of year have been warm and humid, sometimes hot, during the day, with cool and comfortable evenings. It has been the dry season in the jungle, but there is still enough rain to keep the surrounding hillsides green. The countryside has great natural beauty – with lush plants and trees, tropical birds, streams and waterfalls – but life in the city of San Ramón can be difficult for many people, especially for those who have migrated from smaller communities for education or employment.
The students live with three sisters who own and operate Gad Gha Kum Lodge, a beautiful hotel and camping complex just outside San Ramón. Although Alan, Becca and Josh each has a designated host mother – Rocio, Patricia and Carolina, respectively – they are really part of the extended Del Aguila Gerbi family, whose members live and work together and who are in and out of each other’s houses all day. Josh and Alan share a cabin, while Becca lives in a house with a mother, two daughters and two cousins.
Alan and Becca and Josh take a colectivo (shared taxi or van) into San Ramón each morning. Pre-med majors Becca and Alan are volunteering at the Clínica Elera. They assist the clinic’s team of doctors and nurses with patient care. Alan and Becca observe consultations, help with intake or run routine procedures such as eye exams.
Alan and Becca on the roof of Clinica Elera.
The cases often reflect the difficult life that people lead in the rain forest, from wounds suffered while farming and long delayed treatment to tropical diseases that are unknown in more arid parts of the world. The clinic’s founder, Dr. Gustavo Elera Arevalo, is well known and highly regarded in the area. Patients seek him out because of his expertise and compassionate care.
Becca is quick to pitch in with everything from greeting patients and preparing examining rooms to helping with filing medical records. Her patience, readiness to help and positive attitude are much appreciated by the patients and staff.
Alan is an engaged learner who makes the most of Dr. Elera’s gift of teaching. He is ready to jump in with any task the day calls for and says he has learned a great deal. He is sensitive and caring with patients. He and Becca both were hoping for the chance to observe a surgery before they left.
Josh volunteers at INABIF (Programa Integral Nacional para el Bienestar Familiar), a government-funded program that assists low-income families. He works with children who come to the center before or after school to eat a hot meal, take part in activities and programs and get help with their homework. Senior citizens also come to the INABIF center for meals.
Affirmation: Joshua uses a fist bump to congratulate a child.
Josh helps the children finish their meals, which they are required to do before they leave the table. He assists the staff with games, songs and other learning activities. In the afternoon, he tutors children and helps make sure they do their homework. More importantly, he serves as a role model for children who may suffer neglect or other difficult home circumstances. Josh shows great patience and kindness with the children, working full days with only a short lunch break. He comes home very tired some days, but pleased to have made a difference in the lives of many children.
Another view of Gad Gha Kum Lodge, a beautiful hotel and camping complex just outside San Ramón.Another view of Gad Gha Kum Lodge, a beautiful hotel and camping complex just outside San Ramón.Joshua and his host mother, Carolina Del Aguila Gerbi.Alan and his host mother, Rocio Del Aguila Gerbi.Becca with her host “aunts,” Rocio Del Aguila Gerbi and Carolina Del Aguila Gerbi, and Rocio’s daughter, Valencia.Becca with her host mother, Patricia Del Aguila Gerbi.One photo too many causes Becca and her host mother, Patricia Del Aguila Gerbi, to break into laughter. Becca and Alan enjoy pizza at a San Ramon restaurant.Joshua pauses during a meal of pizza and Inca Cola, Peru’s celebrated soft drink.Alan and Becca work at Clinica Elera, which is located on a colorful street in San Ramon. It is led by Dr. Gustavo Elera Arevalo and serves a wide range of patients.Clinica Elera in San Ramon provides a wide range of patient care, including emergency services.Becca greets SST Peru Co-Director Judy Weaver at Clinica Elera.Becca and Alan pause outside Clinica Elera in San Ramon, Peru.Becca pauses at the entrance of Clinica Elera.Alan pauses at the entrance of Clinica Elera.Becca and Alan with Alejandro Leon Soto, administrator of Clinica Elera.The pharmacy at Clinica Elera.Alejandro Leon Soto, administrator of Clinica Elera, discusses the use of a diagnostic room.A patient recovery room at Clinica Elera.Alan and Becca have administered vision tests at Clinica Elera.Alan and Becca demonstrate how to take the blood pressure of patients. Alan’s realistic role playing amused Becca.Becca take the temperature of a “sick” patient, Alan.Alan demonstrates how to take Becca’s blood pressure.Becca waits for her blood pressure results.Alan views the results of Becca’s blood pressure check.Alan explains to SST Peru Co-Director Judy Weaver that he has learned the importance of accurately checking the pulses of patients.Alan discusses what he has learned while working at Clinca Elera.Becca and Alan with SST Peru Service Coordinator Wilfredo Villavicencio.Tools of the trade: stethoscopes at Clinica Elera.Medicines in a treatment room at Clinica Elera.Josh volunteers at INABIF (Programa Integral Nacional para el Bienestar Familiar), a government-funded program that assists low-income families in San Ramon.Josh walks into Josh INABIF (Programa Integral Nacional para el Bienestar Familiar), a government-funded program that assists low-income families. Signage at INABIF, a government-funded program that assists low-income families. Josh with Doris Espinoza Leon, director in San Ramon of INABIF (Programa Integral Nacional para el Bienestar Familiar), a government-funded program that assists low-income families. Josh in the INABIF dining hall.Josh shares his lunch table with a young child.Even while on his lunch break at INABIF, Josh is surrounded by children who want his attention. Josh patiently obliges.Seniors enjoy a lunch meal at INABIF. The man in the foreground cheerfully requested that a photo be taken.Seniors enjoy a lunch meal at INABIF. Guided by their teacher, Sasadi, children prepare to play the “turtle” game, moving on their hands and knees with a shell (book) on their backs.A young girl plays the “turtle” game, moving on her hands and knees with a shell (book) on her back.Josh helps a boy play the “turtle” game. The child will try to move on his hands and knees with a shell (book) on his back.Young “turtles” move down the hallway at INABIF.Josh patiently tries to help a young boy struggling to play the “turtle” game.A classroom wall at INABIF.A colorful toy at INABIF.Children at INABIF are taught such important values as love, honesty, solidarity, responsibility and perseverance.Backpacks at INABIF.Joshua helps a child at INABIF. Josh has learned that working with children requires calm, patience and energy.Joshua fully engaged in his service assignment – helping children.Joshua provides some more positive affirmation.Sasadi, a teacher at INABIF, leads students in a dance. Joshua joins in the fun.Sasadi, a teacher at INABIF, leads students in a dance.A tiny dancer shows off her moves.A tiny dancer shows off her moves.An temporarily pensive child phones home.Joshua helps a child put together Legos.Joshua provides some extra attention.Joshua chats with co-workers at INABIF.A splash of color at INABIF.SST Peru Co-Director Judy Weaver takes a break in La Merced, a city in the central rain forest of Peru.SST Peru Co-Director Richard Aguirre takes a break in La Merced, a city in the central rain forest of Peru.On your marks, get set, go! Moto taxis speed by the Plaza Mayor in La Merced, a city in the central rain forest of Peru.SST Peru Co-Director Judy Weaver strolls in the Plaza Mayor of La Merced.A statue of General Jose Manuel Pereira, who founded La Merced in 1869, has a place of honor in the Plaza Mayor.A Catholic church across from the Plaza Mayor in La Merced.The Plaza Mayor in La Merced, which is the capital of the Chanchamayo Province in the Junín Region (state). La Merced is located in the selva central, Peru’s central rain forest.
