DrLegende said:
Hi Lexy10,
I just visited the amazonpromise.com website and trip looks great. I was also thinking of volunteering overseas. Could you tell me what you did while volunteering with Amazonpromise?. It would be great if you could tell us what you did, the highlights of the trip and the costs.
THANKS...
I visited two seperate times. The first time I was on the Yarapa river...a tributary of the amazon. You stay in a lodge and everyday travel to a different village and set-up clinic frin their school houses. There are stations, usually 2 or 3 stations with a doctor/PA/NP and a health student, there is a wound care station, does lice washes, cleans wounds, scabies washes, debread older wounds, give shots (IM mostly), and finally there is a pharmacy bench. I mainly chose to work with the doctors...learned to diagnose, get histories etc., by the time i went down the second time i ws pretty comfortable seeing patients without a doctor, but also very aware of my limitations, so would constantly check with a doctor if I had any questions. If your interest is in another station, they are so flexible! Truly, they are so for you learning. The second time i went down I went to the corrientes (similar to the pastaza river trips). the people are much more indiginous. Few speak spanish, most speak a native language. More camping, be prepared to live in a tent and only bathe when it rains.
As for the price, It varies based on the program chosen and how many times you go down (after the first time it is less expensive). The website lists the price. I know it went down since my first time, so i can't tell you off hand. BUT this is how the group (not religiously affiliated) gets money for the medicines, cooks, and guides. the entire cost is tax deductible, and they will help you to raise the money. One girl I was with raised the money in less than two weeks. They pay for all of your food and lodging including hotel in Iquitos before you go out to the river. They do not pay airfare...which you have to go to lima then iquitos...total round trip is usually about 600, can be less or more depending on season...if you are really interested PM me and I will give more details on that...
the food is excellent...really I eat better in the jungle than i do at home! They will accomidate any diatary restrictions. I'm a veggie, and i ate sooo well. A girl with crohn's disease was with me on my first trip and told me she never felt so good. they totally catered to her needs.
More over, the group becomes a family. I have met some of my best friends in the jungle. This last time I had my birthday in the jungle. They made a chocolate cake and had a little party. It was such a surprise, and chocolate never tasted so good.
if you want more...trust me i can talk more...
😍
