Earlier this year I decided to participate in a medical mission. I had wanted to do a mission for quite a while, but the timing never seemed right. I finally decided to go for it.
I researched different organizations that offered medical missions. International Medical Relief (IMR) has been around for years and has organized many missions all over the world. I looked at the locations available and the dates. I initially wanted to join a trip in November, but my work schedule wouldn’t allow it. I then noticed that a team was going to Peru in August. After some research, I decided to join the Peru Rainforest team.
Preparing for the Mission
It was difficult to prepare for the mission. I established my clinic, Amethyst Wellness, 9 years ago and it’s been awesome. However, I currently provide alternative medical and aesthetic care. I was feeling a little rusty with basic medical care. I had to remind myself that before starting my clinic, I worked at the health department and worked primary care while serving in the Army. I was hoping my memory and past experiences would serve me well. I was advised that the types of illnesses and conditions vary with each trip, but to expect a lot of dermatological conditions since we’re serving in the rainforest. We were also given a copy of a basic formulary of medications that would be available.
Two weeks before the trip, we had a sendoff call. Staff members from IMR talked with the volunteers about the location and what to expect. Several of the volunteers had been on trips before and shared their experiences. I felt many emotions during and after this call. I was mostly excited to have this adventure. Sometimes in life, we need to step back and look at things from a different perspective. I was hoping for clarity with my current goals.
I was also a little nervous. We were headed to a remote location where we might not be able to purchase forgotten items. I wanted to make sure I brought everything I might need while trying to pack all the essentials in just one carry-on suitcase. We had a basic packing list. All providers were instructed to bring items they would need to examine patients like a stethoscope and otoscope. Depending on the specialty, some providers brought other items (like equipment to inject joints).
We were also asked to collect donations like Tylenol and Motrin, topical medications and reading glasses. Glasses are a big commodity in 3rd world countries. My clients generously donated many of these items which I packed in a checked bag. I also was planning to stay in Cusco for a week following the mission. In that climate, I would expect cold weather and needed to bring appropriate clothing which unfortunately took up more space.
I exchanged some money so I could have the local currency. The official currency of Peru is the Peruvian Sol. Named after the Latin word for “sun,” the sol reflects Peru’s rich historical ties to the Inca civilization, where the sun was a vital symbol. At the time of our travel, 100 Sol was roughly equivalent to $26. I made a cheat sheet on my phone to remind me of different exchanges. When I began to make purchases, I discovered that it would have been better to have smaller bills. Most items in the markets were just a few Sols.
Emotional and Mental Preparation
I didn’t know what to expect going into the mission. I kept an open mind and committed to remaining flexible. I packed and repacked my suitcases several times. I was warned that as volunteers on a short-term mission, there would be many medical concerns beyond our reach. We were encouraged to focus on the good we could accomplish.
I also had to prepare my staff to handle business matters while I was gone. Fortunately, I have an extremely reliable and loyal team. I told them I may not have internet access for the whole 2 weeks I would be gone. I empowered them to manage situations as I would. They did not disappoint.
Arrival in the Host Country
My travel went very smoothly. I flew from Orlando to Panama. After a quick layover, I flew to Lima. My flight to Puerto Maldonado was early the next morning. I had arranged to stay at a hotel in the airport for the night. The hotel gave every guest a free Pisco Sour which is the signature drink of Peru. I had read about this and was excited to try it.
The Pisco Sour is Peru’s national cocktail. This iconic drink was created in the 1920s by an American bartender named Victor Morris. Pisco is a grape brandy native to Peru. The Pisco Sour is mixed with lime juice, simple syrup, egg white, and bitters to create a unique cocktail. The taste profile was similar to tequila.
Lima was dark and chilly when I arrived. Since I was traveling alone, I chose not to leave the hotel grounds. I had dinner at an airport restaurant, recommended by the hotel staff. I tried a local dish. I was surprised that my meal was served with 2 starches: potato and rice. Potatoes are native to the Andean region, and Peru is home to over 4,000 varieties. Rice, on the other hand, was introduced to Peru by Spanish colonizers in the 16th century and quickly became integrated into daily meals due to its versatility and ability to complement a wide range of dishes. The combination of both ingredients is often used for traditional dishes. This pairing reflects Peru’s cultural blend of Indigenous, European, and Asian influences.
In the morning, I left Lima and went to Puerto Maldonado. I was surprised by the number of people traveling. I had thought our destination would be more remote. I was trying to observe the people and figure out their story. There were quite a few young people who looked like hikers. There were some older people as well who seemed like locals.
Puerto Maldonado is the capital of the Madre de Dios region in southeastern Peru. It was named after 18th-century Spanish explorer Faustino Maldonado, who navigated the Madre de Dios River. The town was founded in 1902 and was initially established as a base for rubber extraction during the Amazon rubber boom. In the mid-20th century, the town gained prominence as an access point for gold mining and logging. Today, Puerto Maldonado is a gateway to the Tambopata National Reserve and the Manu National Park, making it a key hub for ecotourism in Peru.
Meeting the Team and Local Community
The team members arrived gradually. When the first group got to the hotel, we had to take a COVID test. Thankfully, we all tested negative. We were allowed to check into our rooms early. I was feeling a little restless and asked our team leader PJ if it was ok for me to check out the neighborhood. He said that yes, it was safe, but he was headed to the market if anyone wanted to tag along. I went with him along with one of the young volunteers. The vendors squeezed juice from oranges with a handheld device. I sampled some and it was delicious! The market had all kinds of fruit and other goods. PJ described the market as the native equivalent of Walmart.
Several of the volunteers were meeting for lunch at a restaurant across town. To get there, we traveled by tuk-tuk. This was a mini adventure in itself as the driver was weaving in and out of traffic on narrow roads. The tuk-tuk is a common mode of transportation among the locals. It reminded me of a motorcycle in the front with a covered sitting area in the back. It holds up to 3 people and is often vibrantly painted and creatively decorated. It was also cheap! It cost about $2-3 American dollars for a 10-minute ride.
The lunch spot was a popular farm to table restaurant. It was beautiful and overlooked a canyon with a steep walking trail. While I was waiting for my food, I sat on a rustic swing and looked out over the canyon. The restaurant featured local items, and everything was fresh. Because it was made to order it took a very long time to get our food. Everything was delicious but we ended up being late to our orientation.
By the time we returned from lunch, the remainder of the team members had arrived. Everyone introduced themselves: where they’re from and their level of medical and volunteer experience. There were over 40 volunteers, so this took a little while. There were 3 doctors, 4 nurse practitioners, and 2 dentists. There were also a few nurses and paramedics. Many of the volunteers were young people: children of the adult volunteers and students from a midwestern college. Most of the students were studying pre-med and double majoring in Spanish. Many of the volunteers had done missions in the past.
After the introductions, our local host Juan Carlos explained some things about the locals and their culture. He warned that some older community members had beliefs about photography. They felt that pictures could capture part of their soul. I had heard of this during my childhood but had thought that such beliefs were outdated. We were instructed to ask permission before we took any pictures. I did not actually encounter anyone who was opposed to photos. Many of the younger people had cell phones and were very familiar with Americans and our culture.
We were also advised that it is rude to not eat the food given to you. Each day we were provided lunch at our clinic site. Our host asked that if we didn’t want to eat the food that we didn’t throw it away but give it to him instead. The meals provided tasted ok but were of large portions. I personally was not used to eating that much at lunchtime but did my best to eat enough to be polite.
Another cultural difference was the treatment of dogs. There were dogs everywhere. We were instructed that Peruvians did not have the same attachment to dogs as Americans. We shouldn’t be surprised if someone kicks a dog to make them leave. We were asked not to invite the dogs into the clinic site. However, in some of the clinic sites, the dogs invited themselves and no one seemed to mind them.
Daily Life on the Mission
The mission felt like it was split into 2 parts. The majority of our group was doing a “mini-mission,” which lasted 2 days. This allowed those with limited time to volunteer and hopefully explore the culture as well. Out of the initial 40 volunteers, there were only 6 of us who stayed for the full week. The remaining volunteers left for home on the third day. Three new volunteers arrived to participate in the second half of the mission. Because of the difference in group size, each segment had a very different feel.
The next post will discuss the types of clients we saw and the different locations. Stay tuned for part 2 of my medical mission to Peru.