Last week a group of volunteers headed deep into the jungle region, to the community of Puka Pena. Getting there consisted of 8 hours of driving plus an hour and a half canoe journey. Puka Pena has 150-200 people living in this area, their houses tucked within the jungle trees. The majority of the people spend their time working the land.
This community lives far from society, with no internet, no electricity, no easy access to the outside world. For some, it was a 3-hour trek to get to the medical caravan. The caravan consisted of an Ecuadorian dentist and dental hygienist, 3 nurse practitioners and 1 nurse, a clinical psychologist, a massage/physical therapist, one missionary, and members of the women's ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Ecuador who also traveled to be a part of the caravan
In total about 245 patients were seen by our medical team, administering medicine as needed. Many of the women brought their families to be seen as well. Teeth cleanings, filling cavities, and needed extractions were available as well. Workshops were held on the cycle of violence and how violence affects women. Menstrual workshops provided education about menstruation and reproduction. Kits with feminine items were given to women and families.
On the last day of the caravan, the team served another community of the Secoya people made up of 50 families. They speak their own language, completely different from Spanish. They are renowned for their knowledge of medicinal plants, with traditional uses for over 1,000 different plants. The Secoya now number around 600 people in Ecuador.
We are so grateful for the opportunity to serve and learn more about other cultures and ways of life. If you have ever considered being a part of a medical caravan, send us an email at info@santiagopartnership.org. We would love to have a conversation about the many ways you can be a part of God’s ministry throughout Ecuador.
