Just below the radar

I use a shuttle service to get to and from the airport for most of my trips. The driver, I will call him Jorge (for anonymity purposes), is a kind young man from Mexico who is married to a much older woman from Laos - pretty interesting. Most of my morning shuttle runs are at un-godly early hours - 4, 4:30, 5 a.m. We almost always talk on the drive - I think to keep each other awake.

I know, from our conversations, that Jorge and his wife (I will call her Mary) have a full life. They are raising one of Mary's teenage sons together; and a grandson from Mary's daughter - the boy was abandon by his mother 2-years ago. In addition, they both work two jobs - trying to make enough money to start their shuttle service business and then eventually scale back to full time for the shuttle only.

In the interim, Jorge works from 1 a.m. until 5 a.m. delivering newspapers and then from 5-6 a.m. until after midnight trying to get shuttle fares from the airport. He told me this morning that he usually only gets 3- shuttle rides in that entire time frame. "We have to wait in a cue for our turn to get up to the fare line. It may mean we wait 5-hours for one ride."

Mary was working at a motorcycle assembly plant from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. and she would join Jorge with the shuttle service for the rest of the evening. The "was" part to my statement is that she just got fired. Apparently she got sick (for three days) and the plant let her go. This after working for the company for over a year.

"Times are tough right now," Jorge told me this morning, "but it will get better." "We don't have health insurance, we are working so hard and barely making enough to pay our rent, and we own money on the van to maintain our shuttle service." I asked him what he thought would change to make things better - he told me that he truly believes that life is all about "hard work" and that he will just keep working hard until "things change."

I said goodbye to Jorge this morning and felt a sense of unease. I believe that Jorge will be successful, he is smart, VERY hard working, and has a huge heart; but, I felt a sense of dis-ease at the fact that life is truly unfair. So many people must work so hard to get any where in life. So many people exist in a world just below our radar screens.

I said goodbye to Jorge this morning and I made a commitment to myself to continue to work toward a world that ensures Jorge and Mary can one day truly reap the benefits of their hard work.

Back in the USA

Whoever came up with the Business Class fully reclining airplane chair needs to be provided with a Noble Prize for service to humanity. Flying as much as I do, I amass one heck of a lot of airline points that allow me to occasionally take advantage of upgrades. Thank goodness I was able to upgrade to Business Class for my flight home from Lima.

Okay, I did not really get a great nights sleep, but I am rested enough that I can barrel right into a full work schedule. Speaking of work schedules, we have our big fundraiser on Monday and Tuesday of next week (03 and 04 May) and we need as many people to participate as possible.

If you are at all interested in joining us for this wonderful event, please email info@HBInt.org for more details or to reserve your seating. We will have fantastic Peruvian Nueva Cocina at one of the best restaurants in the Pacific Northwest - Andina Restaurant. In addition, we will have a great selection of Peruvian art and jewelry available for auction.

The event promises to be a great evening of food, friends and camaraderie. We look forward to you joining us - but in the event you can not . . . please feel free to direct your family, friends and colleagues to the evening.

Thank you for your ongoing support!

Books on Peru

I was recently asked to provide a list of "important books to read about Peru." Well - here is a smattering of books that I think give a good general overview of Peruvian politics, history and economics. The best way to learn about Peruvian life is to visit my favorite city Lima and spend time talking with the taxi drivers and political "know-it-alls" in the coffee shops in the neighborhoods of Surco, Magdalena and San Isidro.

A great website to stay up-to-date on Peruvian "happenings" is: http://www.livinginperu.com/

Books worth checking out:

The Imperfect Spy: The Many Lives of Vladimiro Montesinos. by Sally Bowen

Alberto Fujimori of Peru: The President Who Dared to Dream (Paperback) by Rei Kimura (Author)

PERU: PRESIDENT ALEJANDRO TOLEDO HURT BY REGIONAL ELECTIONS.: An article from: NotiSur - South American Political and Economic Affairs

The Peru Reader: History, Culture, Politics (The Latin America Readers) (Paperback) ~ Orin Starn (Editor), Ivan Degregori (Author), Robin Kirk (Author)

The Incas and Their Ancestors: The Archaeology of Peru (Revised Edition) (Paperback) ~ Michael E. Moseley (Author)

Political Violence And The Authoritarian State In Peru by Jo-Marie Burt

Peru (Oxfam Country Profiles Series) (Paperback) ~ John Crabtree (Author), Susana Pastor (Photographer)

3rd Anual Arequipa Medical Conference and Healthcare Training Symposium - DAY TWO

Photo: The Physician cohort.

Photo: The nursing cohort.

Photo: One of our fantastic nursing education speakers - Alana.

Photo: My job . . . the PowerPoint slide advancer.

Success is really the only word that comes to mind when I am seeking words to help me describe day two of this years conference. Yes, the numbers were much less than we had originally hoped for - and, we still had almost 90 participants in our two-day event.

The second day was a marathon day of trainings and educational symposia. I should imagine that everyone was thoroughly exhausted by the end of the afternoon. I will say, however, that the smiles and warm remarks definitely gave testimony to the enjoyment that people had.

We have already started planning the conference for 2011. We will tabulate the evaluations and build a strong theme for next year. Our goal is to build on the experiences from this event and create a conference that dwarfs this year's numbers. In fact, Daniel (HBI's in-country lawyer and all around "get-it-done" staff person) said to me this afternoon after our "debrief" meeting - that he hopes we will have over 250 participants in 2011.

I am certain that next years event will be even better - but it will be really hard to surpass the fantastic group of speakers and enthusiastic audience from this year. Alas - we will sure give it a shot.

Thank you for all of your continued support. Our next event is the Andina Restaurant Benefit. We invite everyone to attend this, sure to become, annual event.

3rd Anual Arequipa Medical Conference and Healthcare Training Symposium - DAY ONE

Well, it was not exactly the number of participants we were originally hoping for . . . but we doubled our participation from 2009. That is not bad.

This year we have accreditation for the conference from three institutions: the Peruvian College of Nurses, The Peruvian College of Medicine, and Catholica University. This accreditation will allow us to offer continuing medical and nursing education credits to all participants. This is really exciting - and to the best of our research and knowledge the first time a U.S. NGO has ever received accreditation from the College of Medicine.

Today was the first day of the conference and everything went great. We had a very enthusiastic and attentive group of nurses and physicians from all over Arequipa. We even had two nurses come all the way from Ayacucho - a 25+ hour bus ride. What a honor. We are so pleased that people are participating in the conference.

The speakers are a fantastic group. We could not ask for a better cohort of presenters. They collectively represent 5 states, 2 Canadian Provinces, and 2 regional districts here in Peru. Talk about an international docket of speakers.

Tomorrow is a very full day - with the conference starting at 8:30 a.m. and going all the way until 7:00 p.m. We have a full schedule of speakers and a fantastic "post conference" party planned.

Meetings, meetings and more meetings

One day left before the conference and everything is coming together. We have a majority of the speakers safely located at the host hotel. Most all of the supplies have been purchased. And we have successfully accomplished a number of meetings in the past 24-hours. The "next step" is to get the bodies in the seats and put on an engaging and informative educational conference.

Not to take even one moment to rest on our laurels - we are already in the planning stages for the "4th Annual Arequipa Medical Conference and Healthcare Training Symposium" in April 2011. Projects like this require so much planning . . . that it is never too early to begin preparing for the next event.

However, before we get ahead ourselves - I think it is important to keep our minds focused on this years conference and the last minute details that will undoubtedly come up in the next 48-hours. Our goal is to have an audience of over 150 conference participants. Keep your fingers crossed that I can indeed report in my next Blog update that our audience met - no, scratch that . . . exceeded our goals.

Thank you everyone for all of your support.

The Long Wait

Photo: The hazy look in my eyes after 20+ hours of travel and no sleep.

Could there be a more miserable time than the 5-hour wait in the Lima airport pending a flight to Arequipa? You arrive in Lima at around 12-midnihgt . . . and then, depending upon the time it takes to get through immigration and customs - you wait.

The wait is just long enough that you get a little stir-crazy waiting at the airport, but not so long that you can leave and go to a hotel. After 22+ hours of travel (and no sleep) - the wait seems to drag on forever!

On the way to Peru

I am on my way back to Peru. Every time I make this trip (I almost always take the same route now – I consolidate my miles into one mileage plan), it feels like I a going home. This trip, however, is bitter sweet. I can’t help but feel a bit of unease as I leave my two favorite ladies yet again.

This month is really full for travel and means that I will be away from them much more than I will actually be with them – that is hard. Alas, HBI has a big project going on this week and I need to direct my attention to assuring that everything goes smoothly.

This year’s conference is different on a number of levels – but the most dominant difference is the size of the endeavor. This year we hope to have over 150 participants in the two-day conference. Equally, we are partnering for the first time with Arequipa’s largest regional medical center (Goyeneche Hospital).

The speakers are scheduled (pending any unforeseen volcanic eruptions in the southern hemisphere) to arrive on Thursday and the HBI team has been busy getting all of the last minute preparations together. I arrive in Arequipa tomorrow morning (April 21) and will hit the ground running – with a meeting scheduled first thing.

I will be posting frequent updates and photos from the conference over the next few days. Please keep your fingers crossed and send good thoughts for a great conference and safe travels for all of our participants and speakers.

As always, thank you for your support of HBI.

Wow - we CAN change the world!

Photo: Chalk art on the sidewalk leads the way to the conference

Photo: The plush conference rooms at the Emory University Medical School were great venues for the workshop presentations

Photo: A "home made" sign suggests a very casual conference, but behind the sheet was an amazing level of sophistication and organization.

The first day of the International Medical Volunteerism Conference has been amazing. The depth of presenters, the quality of community participation and the amazing "behind the scenes" organization is evidenced in every aspect of the conference.

Bob and I spent all day with an interesting and passionate group of providers from around the globe. The topics of discussion have been varied and engaging. This afternoon, Bob moderated a session on "Latin American Partnerships." The session was an opportunity for projects and programs who are interested in working in L. America (or already working in L. America) to meet and talk about areas for collaboration and partnership. The level of networking that occurred in this 60-minute session was inspiring.

We met a number of really exciting people who are doing amazing work in Peru. Two young people really stand out for me. They are both working through their church to provide a bridge to a program in Peru (based out the United States - Not for Sale) that advocates for the needs of sex trafficked girls. These two young, very energetic, extremely intelligent people are working to bring attention to a desperate problem. In the past year, they have traveled to Peru three separate times to work with the project. While I was listening to them describe their experiences and the program they are involved in supporting . . . I thought to myself - "We are the perfect partner agency for their work, no wonder we are here this weekend."

Their passion and dedication was evident from the first moment I started talking with them. We have already had a preliminary level of conversation about ways that we maybe able to partner our work to help bring medical, dental and social support services to young women living in extreme poverty and struggling with immense and repeated traumatization. If nothing else comes out of this weekend conference - I would say our trip to Atlanta has been a huge success. I can't even imagine the opportunities that will arise tomorrow.

Perhaps the greatest gift I will walk away from this conference with is the knowledge that so many people, in so many ways, with so much talent - are changing the world everyday. Wow, now that is exciting.

International Medical Volunteerism Conference

Dr. Bob Gehringer and I are off to Atlanta, GA this weekend to speak at the International Medical Volunteerism Conference at Emory University. The conference is the first of its kind and will draw speakers and attendees from all over the globe. Bob and I are delighted to be talking about HBI and our work in Peru in a workshop session entitled "Sustaining Volunteer Efforts."

For a quick glimpse at the conference agenda - please see below.

Bob and I (along with the rest of the HBI Team) will be headed to Peru right after the conference to help with our own medical and nursing education conference. Stay tuned to the HBI Blog for frequent updates and photos.

Thank you for all of your ongoing support!

HBI Andina Fundraiser: I Don't Like Asking For Money

I really do not like asking for money. In fact, it is one of the hardest things I "must" do in my role as the Executive Director for HBI. And, the reality of the situation is this - without money to help run our programs, projects, and people - we are nothing more than a website and a bunch of well intentioned volunteers. Money is the tool that allows all of us to ease suffering, build sustainable communities, and empower the next generation.

The "must" part of the work I feel called to do is based on the tremendous needs that I am fortunate to witness in the world. I know that HBI is working against seemingly insurmountable odds to "level the playing field;" but I also know that there really is no other choice. We must build bridges, sustainable bridges between need and resource to make a difference.

For Ines life was all about suffering. She was in almost constant pain from early in her life, She has a blistering skin disease that causes her life to be very fragile. Through very generous donations from a number of contributors and a Carmelite Faith Group in Panama City, Florida - Ines has been able to receive the medication and assistance she needs to begin the long process of development. Working in collaboration with the Anglican Church of Peru, HBI has been called to provide Ines and her family with the care and advocacy she needs to really take control of her disease. This has only been possible through your help.

Andres is a wonderful young man. Andres wants to be a surgeon. He is in his 3rd year of Medical School. Last year Andres came to the United States with an HBI placement program and spent 6-weeks traveling around the U.S. working with clinics and physicians who care for some of the some marginalized communities in North America. He worked with a homeless clinic in Portland, a University run free clinic in Houston, a Health Care for the Homeless clinic in Boston and a hospital that dedicates their services to the poor in Pittsburgh. At the end of this once in a lifetime trip, Andres returned to Peru . . . changed. He told me that he felt different. He told me that he felt like he needed to make a difference. Together, Andres and HBI started a "Providers for the Underserved" student club at his medical university. The club brings together health professions students who are dedicated to careers working with the underserved.

These are just two examples of how your donations have made a difference. Our work, your work, is all about making connections.

With this in mind, I want to invite everyone who feels so called to join HBI at our Andina Fundraiser Event on May 3 and 4. I really don't like asking for money . . . and, this event will be fantastic. For $150 per person (I know that is a lot of money) you will be treated to a 5-course meal with paired wines put together by one of the best restaurants in North America.

What a Week

This week has been very full. I got back to Portland very late last night after a 4-day business trip to the east coast for my "day job" with the Center for Social Innovation. Our team helped to facilitate a 2-day training conference for the Homelessness Resource Center and a 1-day"Plan to End Homelessness" summit for York County South Carolina. A full week with an amazing range of experiences and learnings.

HBI is about to "jump" (into the deep end of the pool) into our busy season. In a couple of weeks our first team of 2010 will be joining HBI staff in Arequipa. Quickly on the tails of the Affinity Outreach Trip, we will have our Third Annual Arequipa Healthcare Conference and Training Symposium. The first week of May is our Andina Fundraiser event with a silent auction. In mid-June we will be taking a large "Team Peru" group for a 3-week campaign.

This is going to be a very busy and productive year for HBI. We, the staff, volunteers and supporters of our great organization, are really excited for a new set of challenges and a tremendous amount of learning.

PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING us for one of these fantastic opportunities. As always, thank you for supporting HBI and the work we are doing to build "bridges" for change.