Lochaber dentists fill rotarians in on Peruvian journey

In a short but interesting and well-illustrated presentation, the couple took Rotarians on a 2,300km journey up the Amazon, from Lima to the rural area around the town of Equitos, where there is no road connection with the rest of the country – it can only be reached by river or plane.

Nadia and Ross spent two weeks, at their own expense, volunteering with the Vine Trust in this remote area,  providing professional dentistry care to large numbers of vulnerable Peruvian people living in poverty in this isolated location.

They explained that maternity services are also seriously lacking, there is very little clean drinking water, and Nadia added: “There is a very poor health service and only one qualified dentist for every 100,000 Peruvians.”

Ross described seeing large barges filled with felled trees pass along the river every day and he further explained that “deforestation is a major issue in the country, with quality mahogany trees being felled and replaced with low value Sitka Spruce, albeit on a two-for-one basis”.

The couple were very taken by the rich and varied native wildlife and have fond memories of grey river dolphins, kingfishers, Amazonian bats and vultures.