We are sailing along in a speedboat for Manaus as Project Amazon 2016 comes to a close.
This past week was full of adventure as we sailed to the small village of Nhamunda with our equipment and supplies to provide audiological services to the people there for the very first time in their history. We were greeted warmly by the speech therapist, Magda Guimaraes, and proceeded to the clinic to prepare for the next day. Our meals and lodging were provided for us by Marina Pandolfo, the Minister of Health, who is tremendously supportive of the need for hearing health care in her community.
Our final day in Parintins was bittersweet. We had to say goodbye to our new friends and colleagues, but we are ready to come back home to the United States to share more stories about our experience in Brazil. On our final day, we relaxed, packed, and Rildo welcomed us into his home for a farewell lunch. The food was delicious and we had a wonderful conversation, reflecting on the past two weeks. Parintins and Nhamunda are special places and we are looking forward to seeing the Viva O Som Clinic thrive and grow. Rildo and Magda are working hard to promote audiology and provide services in this region. Their dedication to the field is nothing short of impressive.