We are planning our 4th Medical Mission Trip to Peru. Last year, our mission helped thousands of people by providing medical care to their community and their families. I know many of you have experienced previous medical mission trips and we hope you will be inspired to help us build what we hope, will be the largest mission to date, which will take place in March 12 - 17, 2009.

Drs. Luis Raez (FL), Orlando Silva (FL), Francisco La Rosa (CO) and I want to invite you to join us on this exciting journey!  

This year, we are starting earlier than other years because there are several things we are planning to do differently.  

First, we have had such an overwhelming interest in our upcoming mission to Peru that we will be placing all “non-medical” volunteers on a waiting list. All who have attended the Peru Medical Mission in the past will be given priority as well as anyone that has specific technical and/or logistical skills helpful to the execution of our mission. We are still in need of Doctors (IM, GP/FP, GYN, Pediatrics, Dermatologists, Podiatrists, Surgeons, Dentists, etc.) ARNP’s, PA’s, Pharmacists, Paramedics, Nurses and Medical Students.

Second, we will be asking everyone to help collect al donations early this year because we will be sending the vast majority of the non-monetary donations via overseas container the first week of January. Therefore, all donations need to be packed and inventoried by year end 2008.  

Third, we will be assigning “crew chiefs” to help me coordinate specific tasks (ie. Fund raising, donation collection, toy collection, etc.). Finally, in an effort to ensure the smoothest possible execution of all the mission tasks, we will be holding 3 meetings before January 2009 (2 of the 3 will be mandatory - No exceptions) and one final mandatory meeting a couple of weeks before departure.  

The mission dates are Thursday, March 12th to Tuesday, March 17th, 2009. We will be flying on LAN Peru from Miami (flights will be coordinated appropriately for those flying from other cities). Our goal is to have as many out-of-town (non-Miami) mission members as possible to fly out of Miami with us. The travel agency will make every effort to make this happen but we will not require anyone give up the best fares and/or flight schedules available from your departure city.

The main group will be departing Miami on March 12th at approximately 5pm and will be arriving in Lima at approximately 10pm. Right now the Miami-Lima-Miami fare is $508.32 (the lowest we have ever had). This rate is based on a guaranteed group. LAN Peru is not only offering us the best possible fare but has also agreed to give us baggage space at no charge for the few last minute items that may not make the container. It is imperative that if you are interested in going on the Peru Mission Trip 2009, that you inform me immediately. We will need to form our group soon to secure this fare.  

In the past, we have accommodated different travel schedules (airlines, dates, times etc.). This has created huge logistical challenges with the pick up’s and drop off’s, conflicts with customs and the clearance of baggage, loss of donations, etc. This year we are requiring that everyone that attends the mission must fly in and out on the same flights.  

Air travel will be handled exclusively through Ketty at Atlantis Travel (305) 222-9993. The ground transportation, lodging, meals and city tour will be handled by our agent in Peru through me.  

We realize that some folks may want to use frequent flyer miles to pay for their tickets on other airlines or may have other travel plans pre or post mission. Please be aware that we will NOT be making any special arrangements for transportation, lodging or luggage storage for anyone who travels outside the group itinerary. You will be responsible for your own transportation and lodging for dates and times outside the group itinerary. NOTE: If we need people to carry luggage with medication, you will be required to carry the same number of pieces weather you travel with the group or not.  

These basic rules have not been developed to impose on anyone’s plans or freedom to travel to other parts of Peru (Machu Picchu, etc.) but rather to help ensure that the primary focus of helping the needy people of Peru is accomplished with as few problems as possible. In the past, the multiple travel itineraries have been very difficult to manage. The travel agent that has secured this airfare for us specializes in tours throughout Peru that several of us have taken in the past. They will be glad to help you plan the personal component of your trip to occur either before or after the mission.  

Peru is a relatively safe country, however, we cannot guarantee safety; especially if someone does things outside the itinerary or leaves the group. For these same reasons we do not allow minors unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. We will provide security for the group at all times. However, you will be responsible for your own safety you choose to arrive earlier or stay beyond the set mission dates.  

We will be setting up our clinic at the same location we did during our 1st mission, a school in Pamplona Alta, one of the poorest areas of Lima. We hope to set up the largest clinic thus far and we plan to treat patients for a full 3 day-journey rather than the 2 and half days we have done in the past.  

We will be staying at a different retreat house in Lima this time. This house will have room for more people and will have more comfortable accommodations. The cost per person for transportation, lodging, meals and the city tour (on the last day) will be $350. Restaurant meals are not covered (those usually consist of 1 group lunch and one group dinner during the city tour on the last day).

Pre-travel meetings: As I mentioned before, there will be 3 meetings in Miami, FL and in Denver, CO prior to January 2009. In addition, there will be one final meeting approximately 2 weeks prior to our departure date. The purpose of the meetings will be any or all of the following: mission introduction, logistics, Q&A, donation collections, fund raising efforts, packing and inventory. We are in the process of confirming the locations for these meetings. Two of the three meeting prior to January as well as the meeting prior to departure will be mandatory. Failure to attend so will cause you to forfeit your spot on the mission and the next person on the waiting list will step in.  

Groups traveling from other locations will also have mandatory meetings led by a “crew chief” in your area (TBD). Every effort will be made to have the meetings on the same dates as ours and we will conference you in to the Miami meeting (when applicable). Please save the following meeting dates on your calendars:

October 11 , November 22, December 13, 2008 & February 28, 2009

Lastly, for those unable to attend the actual mission but still want to help in some way, please, know that we will be in need of your help with pre-mission preparations, gathering donations, making phone calls etc. Within the next couple of days, I will forward a list of needed supplies as well as some letters that you can use when asking your friends and family for donations. Please let me know how you would like to help.  

In the meantime, please contact me if you need more information or have any questions or suggestions.

I will be sending out e-mails periodically as we continue to build out the mission details. If you would like to be removed from the list please let me know right away so that I will not include you in future communications regarding Peru Mission 2009.

We are looking forward to having you as an active contributing member of our 4th Medical Mission to Peru!  

Warmest regards,

Florida: Yohanna Zaldumbide RN
medicalmissions@clmusa.org
Phone 305-243-5991

California: Brian Shields
Brian_Shields@bus.emory.edu

Colorado: Dr. Francisco G. La Rosa
f.larosa@comcast.net
Phone: 303-549-4450

Dr. Luis Raez (lraez2003@yahoo.com)

Dr. Orlando Silva (osilva@med.miami.edu)