International health issues and humanitarian efforts – Page 15

April 30, 2015 marks the 40th anniversary of the official end of United States military involvement in VietNam. On that day in 1975, the American Embassy in Saigon was evacuated as the North Vietnamese army entered the city, thereby establishing what they now observe as “Reunification”.

via The Vietnam Center and Archive: Exhibits – The Fall of Saigon.

My husband and I have travelled to VietNam to serve on humanitarian aid teams with Vets with a Mission (VWAM).

a husband and wife clown team; Vietnamese had never seen clowns

In 1988 VWAM was founded by a small group of VietNam veterans who wanted to make a positive impact on the country in which they had served. Like my husband, many other veterans have served on their teams, as well as their spouses, children and other interested persons.

National Geographic Traveller:Vietnam

Every Tuesday in April I will show you the country of VietNam as it has been since the end of that conflict. Please share your thoughts and feelings in the comments.

updated September 10, 2023

One of the privileges of being a healthcare professional is traveling to other countries to provide care to local people. I have volunteered on several teams with CompassionLink, an organization whose goal is

equip communities to create healthy families and individuals–spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

Our team provided medical consultations, medicines, dental care, and vision exams for eyeglasses.

two health care professionals, one in a native costume — Dr. Aletha with a local healthcare worker

a makeshift pharmacy at a rural clinic — our team pharmacy

a man making faces at a little girl — Jacob, a nurse, entertaining children (he is now a physician)

Visiting the famous Panama Canal

One of the pleasures of traveling is when our hosts express their appreciation by showing us the local sites and culture. In Panama, of course, that meant a visit to the Panama Canal, an engineering marvel.

The people and landscape of Panama are also captivating. Add to that a warm and usually sunny climate, made for an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Panama Canal ship — The Panama Canal is an amazing feat of human ingenuity.

dancing ladies in native dresses of Panama

enjoying a dance performance at our last group dinner before heading home

How you can share the HEART of health with Compassion

CompassionLink welcomes volunteers for their projects on either short or long-term assignments.

Make a purchase that will support their projects financially or make a donation. (This is not an affiliate link, no commission is paid to this blog.)

Exploring the HEART of health

Thanks for exploring Panama and the HEART of health with me. Please share this post and follow Watercress Words. I appreciate your interest and welcome your comments about this post or just to say hello.