Michael: Treating those in need

We had a most extraordinary day yesterday.
Our team accompanied the Rotary Club De Los Charcas to a day of volunteer medical work in the town of Chico. The drive from Sucre took about an hour. It was almost completely downhill, losing 3000 feet of elevation. We were met in the village by throngs of indigenous people and a colorful, cheerful sign over the road.
Anne and I were driven there by Dr. Ishmael Soriano and his wife and daughter. He and his daughter, who was an exchange student in Arizona, spoke excellent English. Ishmael is a physician in internal medicine. He set up his station in one of the rooms of the village’s clinic, while other doctors in dentistry and dermatology set up in other rooms.
Ishmael treated a stream of people. His patients were Quechuan indigenous (Indian) people. He saw both men and women and in ages ranging from childhood to elderly. The men were dressed in pants and either button-down or pull-over shirts. The women wore skirts and blouses, always covered by maid’s aprons. Many had masculine hats, some like the type worn by Charlie Chaplin. The women all had two long braids for their hair. Almost all the men were trim and the women were plump. Everyone wore sandals over dirty feet. They were all tranquil and they seemed to trust and revere Dr. Ismael. He examined many people using his portable ultrasound machine, and was helpful and patient in showing me what the screen revealed. I learned much about internal medicine!
They had a variety of problems, from gall stones to enlarged hearts to parasitosis. Many would need additional treatment or surgery at Dr. Ismail’s hospital in the city (Sucre). Most received a handful of medications. Everything was provided for free.
The motto of Rotary International is Service Above Self. This type of activity is exemplary.
Afterwards, everyone gathered at the weekend cabana of one of the club’s members for a party and feast. We were guests of honor. I counted almost 50 people in attendance.
I awoke with a headache this morning. My suitcase is packed and we will soon depart for our third city, Potosi, which is two hours away by bus. All of us like Sucre and I love my host family. It is difficult to leave here, but constant movement is the theme of the GSE experience.
Potosi’s history is one of the most interesting in all of the America’s. If I have time and Internet service at my next guest home, I’ll try to write about it.
Michael