HPIC at Work

With a lot of help from my friends

Javier Anderson and Rosibel Ocampo have five children, including 15-month-old triplets. Trying to take care of their family on an income of $155/month is pushing them well beyond their means.

So when the triplets all contracted bronchialitis, there was no chance of being able to pay for treatment.

The Anderson Ocampos live in the hill community of Colinas del Memorial Sandino, in Nicaragua. Rosibel stays at home with her young children while her husband, Javier, works as a painter. The triplets - two girls and one boy - have two older brothers, 11 and 13 years old.

According to Canadian nurse Heather Kerr, who participated in a volunteer medical mission in this community, the people only seek help if they are extremely ill, otherwise they have no medical care. Nicaragua does not have a universal medical system. Because of the high unemployment (near 50 per cent), there is no money to pay to see a doctor or buy medications.

Everyone suffers from parasites as their water is contaminated, says Kerr. Many people eat only one meal a day, which consists of rice and beans. Urinary tract infections are common. Most women suffer from osteoporosis because they have many babies and their diet is low in calcium.

Along with the general lack of nutrition and hygiene, the triplets had already suffered many health problems, including pneumonia, bronchitis, allergies, and malnutrition.

When their parents heard that a free medical clinic was being held in their town, thanks to a Canadian volunteer team from Southview Alliance Church in Calgary, it was their only hope for help in an increasingly desperate situation.

The clinic was held in a church with a tin roof and walls, surrounded by dust, in 40C heat. Some 120 patients per day came to see the doctors, one Canadian and two local, who, along with a support team of nurses and helpers, diagnosed and treated them with medicine from the Physician Travel Pack.

When Stefanny, Josue and Tyfanny came to the clinic, they were wheezing and feverish. They were treated with painkillers, antihistamines and antibiotics from the PTP, and given vitamins to help rebuild their systems.

Kerr reports, "Ten days later, their lungs were clear. The wheezing was gone and they regained their appetite."

With financial support from their new Canadian friends, the community church has started a food program for these underprivileged families. According to team leader Gary Melanson, "They are using the limited resources that they have to reach out into their community with a program that feeds three meals a week to over 150 children. For some of these children, these meals may be the only food that they receive during the week."

Thanks to the Physician Travel Pack, a group of compassionate Canadians and a caring church, the Anderson Ocampos have been given a fresh start. The children are free of parasites and infection. They are receiving regular meals and vitamins.

Southview Alliance will continue supporting this community, and another volunteer team will be visiting shortly. The Anderson Ocampos, as well as the hundreds of people who have benefited from this partnership, will eagerly await them.