A message from SCMS member Michael Branch, MD:
United Servants Abroad (USA) is a faith-based "travel agency" that connects places of need with people willing to help. Over the past 15 years I have been participating in a ENT medical mission to the Amazon village of Pucallpa, Peru. Each year we have worked in this jungle town's hospital for about 7 days performing various surgeries such as endoscopic sinus surgery, ear surgery (such as cholesteatoma mastoidectomy, tympanoplasty, ossicular reconstruction, stapedectomy), thyroid surgery and other types of cases. We typically dispense 500 hearing aids each mission.
The needs of this village also include general, orthopedic, neurological, pediatric, trauma and vascular surgery; urology, pediatric and general medicine; and many others. An individual mission consists of teams of 15-22 nurses, aids, anesthesiologists, ENT doctors, hearing aid dispensers and audiologists working with translators and local missionaries. The mission lasts about 10 days, and each member finances their own way.
Approximately 90% of any donated funds go directly for the mission's expense. The mission now has a home in Pucallpa, which lowers the cost to each person, and provides a very comfortable stay. USA is a very honest group of people whom I know personally. I have seen the self-sacrifice of those involved--both financially and personally.
I would love to have members of the Society participate in the work in Pucallpa, or in other places USA is involved. We are building on property donated to USA in Eleuthra, Bahamas. USA also works in Africa, as well as countries like Honduras, Bolivia, Mexico, and Bosnia.
I will be leading a team to Pucallpa in June 2007. Any member who would like to get involved with USA can contact me at branmichael@gmail.com, or at my office at 407-804-8795.
