medical missions – watercress words by Dr Aletha

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.