By Nick Breedlove
The old adage goes: “You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”
When Jerry Parker of Cullowhee and Janet James of Sylva traveled to Peru in August as part of a medical assistance team, they did just that.
Parker and James were part of a Mountain Medics International trip that provided dental and medical care to residents of remote villages in the Andes Mountains. MMI’s mission is “improving the health and quality of life of mountain communities that provide a home to some of our world’s poorest and underserved populations.”
James is a nurse practitioner in Dr. Clifford Mault’s office and Parker is a pharmacist in Bryson City.
Along with nine other team members from across the country, they hiked some 60 miles over the course of 10 days and saw hundreds of villagers in need of medical attention.
Graham Rogers of Colorado, who is married to a Peruvian woman, organized the trip.
The hike in was grueling, the pair said.
People told James the hike would be a lot like Sylva’s Pinnacle Park, which turned out to be an understatement, she said.
“It didn't even compare,” James said laughing, adding “now the Pinnacle seems like a piece of cake.”
James and Parker raised funds and contributed their own money, some $3,300, and donated their time to the cause. Mike Hamrick, a Bryson City dentist, also went on the trip, where he performed countless dental procedures.
The group flew into Lima, Peru, then took an eight-hour bus ride on winding, narrow roads to Huaraz before beginning their foot journey.
Assisted by 26 burros, the group made the trek and adapted to the climate and elevation. Their acclimatization was a 3,500 foot hike up into the mountains.
No comments:
Post a Comment