Our new health post worker, Kathy, has proved to be a great asset and is very popular. LED arranged for a senior health care worker to join her in Quishaur for the month of September to provide her with additional health training. Since the health post opened in 2009, I have noticed an improvement in overall basic health, particularly pre- and post-natal health, and fewer gastric problems in young children. This is due to better health awareness and the availability of medication to address issues sooner.

Kathy has been very pro-active in educating the villagers about basic health and hygiene. 2011 saw approximately 2000 patients with conditions ranging from gastric infections to heart conditions and broken bones that required treatment and evacuation. Patients are coming from six different villages, up to 4 hours walking distance.

We brought electric wiring, provided by LED, to the health post this summer in anticipation of electricity coming to the village in 2012. We hope to be able to buy ultrasound equipment and electrical sterilization equipment in 2012.

If there are any doctors, nurses or dentists interested in volunteering their time at the health post, please contact us.

Contributed by Val Pitkethly

LED organized a trip for Dave and Peggy, teachers from United States, to spend a week in Quishaur at the teaching school, helping with basic repairs at the health post and showing the students how to read a map. On their final day they held an orienteering competition which was throughly enjoyed by all the village.

We then arrived with a group from the Fulford School from the UK. There were 14 students, ages 16 to 18, and 3 staff, along with the usual complement of Bedon family members. We trekked into Quishuar where the students helped with the distribution of school supplies and 1200 toothbrushes to several villages in the area, including Jancopampa. The Fulford students particularly enjoyed trekking to some of the more remote villages. They also educated the local school children on brushing their teeth and washing their hands. The UK students had made posters about dental hygiene and basic health.

Special thanks to the East Farley School in Kent, UK, for raising funds and donating the toothbrushes and football strips (ie, jerseys). Several football matches were enjoyed by students from both countries. The students made a great effort to blend in with the local culture by wearing local costume and were soon adept at the dancing steps, joining in with great enthusiasm with the local bands that are always part of the celebrations.

The Fulford students also helped with painting and decorating at the Quishaur health post, and distribution of solar lights to several villages in the area. Special thanks again to Juniper Trust for their donation towards the solar lights.

I would like to say special thanks to the Fulford school, students, and in particular, Dan Bodey, the deputy headmaster of Fulford, for a superb trip. All the Quishaur villagers are looking forward to your return.

Contributed by Val Pitkethly

“Texas Paul”, members of the Bedon family and I brought medical supplies to the health post in Quishuar. As well, villagers from the entire area who had previously received solar lights that now needed repair brought their lights to Quishuar where we repaired them.

The village of Quishuar is hoping to have electricity by 2012. Though it will be too expensive for most families to have power in their homes, LED plans to provide power to the health post.  Therefore on this trip we brought in electrical wiring in anticipation of the arrival of electricity in 2012.

Contributed by Val Pitkethly