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

Initially funded through generous private donations LED has worked very hard to support the building of a medical clinic in Quishuar, and its staffing by a local health worker

2006

The villagers in the region of the Blanca where we are currently distributing school supplies and solar lighting do not have access to even the most basic health care. In April, we started on a plan to open a clinic in the village of Quishuar that would serve the 3000 people in the nearby 10 villages and surrounding area. This was a very big first step, but only the beginning.

2008

In August, we met the President of one of the villages we visited while distributing school supplies and solar lights, a nurse named Cirila Flores Rondan. LED has now arranged for Cirila to travel by horse to the village of Quishuar one day a week to provide nursing services to villagers in this area. Cirila is qualified in many facets of health care. There are plans for her to offer prenatal, sanitation, and hygiene classes in the immediate future. She is attending to at least 10 people each visit. The number is increasing as word reaches the people in the region.

2009

Most of April was spent purchasing materials for the clinic. All the bricks and cement were purchased locally. We hired 2 masons from a neighboring village to handle the construction. Much of the labour was done by the villagers on a voluntary basis.

An amazing spirit of cooperation prevailed throughout the entire project. The clinic was constructed in 8 weeks. The tremendous efforts of the entire Bedon family, Senor Juan and Val Pitkethly are the reason it was completed quickly.

In July, Dr. Rod Leighton and Ray Potvin volunteered their valuable time at the clinic. Dr. Leighton worked with Cirila on advanced medical skills. Ray, a pharmacist, created a formulary and helped Cirila organize the pharmaceutical aspect of the clinic. We are very thankful they chose to spend their holiday time volunteering with us.

We are deeply grateful to all that worked on the project. The Clinic is now open 5 days a week!

2010

We are encouraging the people in the region to have ownership in the solution by paying a small amount for the use of the clinic and any prescription medication. This money is used for replacement medication.

We visited the clinic numerous times between April and August this year. We are constantly making improvements to better serve the villages. Much of our efforts have been in the area of hygiene and sanitation. We are completing the installation of a permanent water source. We have also installed a shower, solar water heater and composting toilet. The improved health of the children is indicative of the work done by our health care workers this past year.

Unfortunately Cirila had to leave her post and return to her village. We are pleased to announce the appointment of a new health worker, Kathy, to the position in January 2011.

Contributed by Val Pitkethly

Between April to August 2010 we visited the clinic numerous times to work on various improvements. We are completing the installation of a permanent water source. We have also installed a shower, solar water heater, and composting toilet.

Five schools in the North East area of the Cordillera Blanca received supplies and mobile medical clinics took place in Taypoora, Safuna, Quitrasca and Jancachuca.

Contributed by Val Pitkethly