Bucaramanga, Colombia

We were able to treat 1400 needy patients from three sights over the course of five days; a library in Hiron, a 340 year old town, a state hospital and from a maternity clinic. Physical therapists, gynecologists, pediatricians, internists offered primary care to treat infections, parasites, wounds, dispensed more than $40,000 worth of medications and supplies and received the gratitude of the poor for Hands Across the Americas ability to relieve pain, to listen, to care.

For Gisella Alvarez, RN, our team leader, it was a dream come true being able to serve the people of her home country. Each of us returned with memories etched in our hearts for ever….

Imagine standing in the reception area and seeing a mother carry her teenage son in her arms, a son who was normal 3 years ago and is now a spastic cripple from a motorcycle accident. She was carrying him because she had no money for a wheelchair and his condition was so bad due to a lack of timing with good physical therapy. Another mother brought her teenage son in via a lawn chair. This was his chair that came out of the trunk of the taxi, the chair was all they had for him to live in. He had cerebral palsy and never had a decent wheelchair. So, you ask what ca we possibly accomplish in 5 mission days. Two new wheelchairs found homes with these two boys and a heavy burden was lifted from their moms.
- Estelle Rosenthal

People of Colombia, government officials, health ministry personnel, hospital administrators, teachers, all embraced our efforts and offered assistance graciously and generously allowing us to do the job we came to do. Months of planning enabled us to establish partnerships with social service agencies to assure access to ongoing medical care for those we treated; critical to the success of our interventions.

We are so grateful to have joined efforts to care for others, to celebrate new friendships, and to offer our respect for a beautiful country. We look forward with great anticipation to our return next year.