FIMRC UC San Diego Project Peru

With FIMRC, a group of 7 UCSD students, including myself, will travel to Huancayo, Peru on December 12th, 2010, to volunteer at a medical clinic. Last year FIMRC and its’ volunteers were able to execute regular dental hygiene lessons, including the distribution of toothbrushes and toothpaste, to nearly 700 children at the Charity Society of Huancayo and organize and conduct multiple H1N1 health education sessions to 800 children in multiple Peruvian communities. FIMRC carried out quarterly de-worming campaigns in Agallpampa, Trujillo and surrounding regions, treating more than 1,000 children, and coordinated 60 hours of university classes to teach basic medical skills such as monitoring vital signs, suturing, and recognizing anatomy. This year our UCSD chapter of FIMRC will work to promote sustainability of these programs by giving needed assistance to health professionals, conducting community outreach and providing health education. We will assist medical personnel with anything they need; from helping patients to filing papers. We will hold clinics for children to teach healthy lifestyle habits; showing children how to brush their teeth, explaining the importance of hygiene and washing hands, and demonstrating the treatment of minor cuts. We will also work with the parents to develop safe and hygienic water treatment and cooking practices. As a non-profit organization, FIMRC cannot afford to finance