Introduction:
We are a Catholic organization that recruits groups
of doctors, nurses, and volunteers to plan three
times a year medical mission trips to Lima, Peru. We
gather volunteers from the USA (centers in Miami and
Denver), Peru (center in Lima) and other countries
(center in Toronto, Canada), and welcome people from
different faiths.
Goals:
In 2013, we will be doing our first mission to
Amazonas in Peru to provide basic medical care to
the poor people living in several towns of this part
of the mountains far from the Peruvian coast. These
people do not usually have access to health care and
most of them are women and children. In this
mission, we are blessed that we will work with a
large number of local volunteers and doctors from
several Peruvian organizations and local government.
Next Trip:
We are now planning our 10th Medical Mission Trip to
Peru (first one to Amazonas). Last year, our
missions to Peru helped thousands of people by
providing medical care to several communities 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 the mission that will
take place from August 8th to 16th, 2013.
We are always in need of Doctors (Internal Medicine,
Family Practice, OB/GYN, Pediatrics, Dermatology,
Ophthalmology, Podiatry, Surgery, Dental, etc.)
ARNP’s, PA’s, Pharmacists, Paramedics, and Nurses.
However, everyone is welcome, even if you do not
have any medical background there are many things
that you can do during the mission.
Meetings:
In an effort to ensure the smoothest possible
execution of all the mission tasks, we will be
holding several meetings before August 2013 in Miami
and Lima Peru before departure. Please be advice
that in two weeks we will be announcing our first
meeting in Miami.
Air Travel:
We will be flying on LAN Peru from Miami to Lima and
Lima to the city of Tarapoto (flights will be
coordinated 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 main group will be departing Miami on August
8th at approximately 11 pm arriving to Lima-Peru at
4 am August 9th; then we will be taking an early
morning flight to the city of Tarapoto. From there
we will be traveling by bus to the city of
Chachapoyas the capital of Amazonas our final
destination. For our return we will be departing
from Chachapoyas to Tarapoto on August 16
at 8:00 in the morning to take the flight from
Tarapoto to Lima at 4:00 PM and then from Lima to
the US the same night arriving to the US August 17
in the morning.
We are requiring that everyone participating in this
mission must fly in and out Miami on the same
flights. We realize that some volunteers may want to
use frequent flyer miles to pay for their tickets
using other airlines or may have other travel plans
pre or post the mission dates. In these cases, we
will NOT be able to make 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.
Tourism:
Peru is a fascinating destination and Amazonas is
particularly an amazing place to visit with several
attractions like the forbidden fortress of Kuelap
(Build by a Pre-Inca civilization more than 800
years old), the cataracts of Gocta (the third
tallest in the world),
Huancas with an incredible sight, the workshops of
pans of mud and a varied Craft.
Usually after the medical missions are done, some
volunteers decide to stay extra days in Peru to
sightsee places like this at their own time. However
being Amazonas so far from the capital and for our
safety, our hosts and local mission sponsors have
arranged tours to the most important places in
Amazonas during the last 3 days in Amazonas, the
costs are included in the mission fees already.
Kuelap on August 13, Gocta on August 14
and Huancas on August 15. We will be
visiting these sites as a group and we will also
have the opportunity to participate of the major
holyday of the City of Chachapoyas on August 15
(The Patron Saint “Virgin of Asunta”). For more
information, please [
click here ]
About Peru:
Peru is a relatively safe country; however, we
cannot completely guarantee for your safety,
especially if someone does things outside the
itinerary or leaves the group. For these same
reasons, we do not allow minors unless a parent or
guardian accompanies them. We will provide security
for the group at all times. However, you will be
responsible for your own safety if you choose to
arrive earlier or stay beyond the set mission dates.
Housing & Meals:
We will be staying at a hotel in the city of
Chachapoyas. The cost per person will be $500 for
the 8 days of the mission, which includes local
transportation, lodging in Chachapoyas, three meals
a day, 2 T-shirts (required to identify you during
the whole trip). The three tours to the touristic
places are included.
Donations:
We accept donations to purchase medications and toys
for the kids to take with us. In previous years, we
were blessed with thousands of pounds of medicines
we received from direct donations or we bought
thanks to cash donations. All donations in the US
are tax deductible (CLM Inc is a 501c3 institution).
You could also sponsor your trip with specific
donations.
The Medical Mission to Peru Amazonas Team:
For
mission questions and registration, please contact:
Mr. William Baldarrago & Dr. Giovanna Baldarrago
Mission Coordinators
chachapoyas.mission@clmusa.org
Luis E. Raez MD
Medical Coordinator
lraez2003@yahoo.com
The Medical Mission Trips
to Peru Team
medicalmissions@clmusa.org