Only 2 more days at the Hogar San Pedro...

Incredible... Only 2 days left at the Hogar San Pedro... And so much to do still.

The last few days were very busy as they were filled with many different activities. It has also been great to have one more person living with us in our little volunteer´s house: Louise L´Hérault, from the Montreal-based Fondation Père Ménard. She had helped us organize our trip (she was our contact with the Ste-Justine hospital) and is now visiting the Hogar for its 30th anniversary celebrations, which will be starting tomorrow.

A few highlights from the last few days... On Friday, after spending an extra day in Huacachina and a day in Lima, Glynn came to join us at the Hogar San Pedro for one last supper in Chosica, at our favourite local restaurant: Mama Elsa´s. A great night, even though we were all a bit tired from the big week we had just had. The next day, Jess, Claire and Nayima went back to Mama Elsa´s for an authentic Peruvian cooking class: a blast! On the menu, Lomo Saltado and Pisco Maracuya... delicious! Glynn finally left the rest of us on Saturday, as he needed to catch his plane to Canada. Although all 3 of the boys, Amine, Glynn and Constantin made it safely back to Canada, Glynn had quite an adventure at the customs in Toronto... One thing is for sure: never carry someone else´s luggage when it´s time to cross the customs...

On Saturday, we received the visit of Dr. Enrique, a friend we made in Lima during our Tuberculosis class and with who we went out in Miraflores. It was great to spend some time with him and get to learn so much about the Peruvian medical system. We are also organizing to spend a day with him in his rural clinic in Cañete at the very end of our stay in Peru. Also on Saturday, some of us took place in a typical Peruvian even: the Hogar´s 2nd "Pollada",or Grilled Chicken sale to raise funds for the upcoming celebrations.

On Sunday, at the patients´request, we prepared a 2nd bingo afternoon and made our famous pancakes with maple sirup after supper. An other success! Sunday was also our last sprint at the farmacy to finish sorting the medications for the Medical campaign which took place today (Tuesday).

Speaking if the medical campaign: what an AWESOME day! The medical campaign took place in a small school in a nearby village and was open for free for anyone who was seeking medical attention. There were also donations of clothing and medication, all from the Hogar San Pedro. During the day, we shadowed doctors (3 GP, 1 pediatricia, 1 dentist, 1 ophtalmologist, 1 obstetrician and 1 gynecologist), gave little health awareness workshops, helped with the triage and carried lots of boxes around to help make everything happen. It was great to see so many healthcare workers at work in Peru. Hundreds of children and adults were seen today, and we had the occasion to learn a great deal about typical Peruvian medical condition. We were so sad that the 3 guys missed this wonderful experience. Laura was also unable to make it, as she is still recovering from a pharyngitis (but already feeling a lot better).

We are very much looking forward to our last 2 days at the Hogar, knowing very well that they will fly by... We are also looking forward to Machu Picchu and the rest of our trip, but very sad to be leaving this wonderful place where the sun always shines... On Monday morning, we were each given a special "thank you" certificate during the morning mass. It was very touching to see all the patients and staff so appreciative of our coming to the Hogar. We will definitely keep the Hogar in our hearts for many years...