Dr. Marco Arinos, continued

The last picture I took of Dr. Marco was on the way to his car with IESPES in the background. I thanked him for the visit and asked that he say hello to his father, Sr. Raimundo Arinos, who was president of Fundação Esperança for more than 20 years. Excuse me, now I need to dig up an image of Sr. Arinos back in the early days of the organization.

Dr. Marco Arinos, continued

Dr. Marco with Dra. Eliane, head of our Dental Clinic at Fundação Esperança. I couldn't resist including that surgical light apparatus up above. Dentists don't need that much light, but the clinic is now located in what used to be the surgical suite of the institution. The last of the two of twelve dental office are being installed in that space under the light. Former volunteer surgical teams will remember this museum piece very well. The costs of remodeling the surgical area into the dental clinic was through a grant from USAID/American Schools and Hospitals Abroad. The dental equipment was donated by Rotary International in association with the local Rotary Clubs. Administration of the grants was the task of Amazon Africa Aid under the leadership of Daniel Weiss and Rachel Chapa.

Dr. Marco Arinos, continued

Dr. Marco with Professor Wilson, head of the Journalism and Communications department at IESPES.

Dr. Marco Arinos, continued

Dr. Marcos was received at IESPES by Professora Deliana, Academic Director of the Institute. That's João Nilton on the left. He our accountant at Fundação Esperança.

Dr. Marco Arinos

We had the pleasure of receiving Dr. Marco Arinos at the Fundação Esperança this week. He is son of Sr. Raimundo Arinos, who was president of the Board of Directors for some 22 years. Marco is specialized in aeronautical medicine and has done graduate studies at the University of Oklahoma in the United States. He was in Santarém on a work assignment with the Air Force, but honored us with a visit. He and his parents now live in Rio de Janeiro. Image, Dr. Marco with Dr. Emanuel Silva and Vânia Maia, members of the Finance Committee for the Fundação Esperança.

1st Conference, Pharmacy Students

This was the second time I've had the pleasure of hearing the IESPES chorus. Really an impressive group of singers and an attraction apart from the conference.

1st Conference, Pharmacy Students

I don't remember the name of this student, but he told me that he owns more than one pharmacy, including one located on the Trans-Amazon Highway in Itaituba. A successful businessman, who jumped at the opportunity to be a professional in the pharmaceutical field. IESPES, our institution of higher learning, offers twelve areas of study for students with the mind to excel in their professions.

1st Conference, Pharmacy Students

There's always something going on at IESPES and this week was no exception. The First Conference of Pharmacy Students took place earlier this week and Padre Carlos asked me to represent him at the opening session. All seats were taken in the auditorium with many people standing in the back. Dr. Irene Escher, President of IESPES, opened the session, followed by other authorities, including the president of the Regional Office of Pharmacists in Belém. Image, pharmacy students matriculating participants.

IESPES classroom construction, continued

A closer view of what was once the administrator's house at Fundação Esperança. This past semester it was converted into 3 classrooms to make room for the overload of students entering IESPES, the Esperança Institute of Higher Learning. With the 8 new classrooms to be inaugurated on December 12th, the building is being remodeled to house a small museum for the institution. We have suggested that Dona Zizi be made curator, since she knows so much of the history. She was one of the first people to be employed by Frei Lucas Tupper in the early 1970s. We all run to talk with Dona Zizi, when we need to know some tidbit of history.

IESPES classroom construction, continued

Another view from the new IESPES building, this one being what we call "alojamento", or simply put, housing. The complex is made up of 10 rooms with interconnecting bathrooms and a kitchen and dinning room. The building with the blue canvas covered windows was the administrator's house. It's now being converted into a small FE/IESPES museum.

IESPES classroom construction, continued

It's always revealing to get another perspective on one's life. The attached image was taken from IESPES looking across the street at the main entrance to Fundação Esperança. The building with the red roof is administration. Health services are located in the buildings further over to the left. The huge building with the back and white wall is the São Francisco Church. When I arrived in 1979, it was a small wooden chapel. My older boy, David, was baptized there in 1981. It's now one of the largest churches in Santarém. The neighborhood around the church and the Fundação Esperança is now a hub of commercial and social activities. IESPES, with a student body of approximately 2,000 students, guarantees it!

IESPES classroom construction, continued

There's quite a view from the top floor of the new building. That's the Tapajós River out there in the distance. It'll meet up with the Amazon River just off to the right.

IESPES classroom construction

I've posted many reports on the progress of the IESPES classroom construction, but most of the images have been from the street side of the new building. The attached picture of Padre Carlos and Sidney Coelho is from the backside of the building, the inner courts, so to speak. Combined with the older structures, it's a real beauty. Inauguration is scheduled for 12 December at 11:00 AM.

Operação Sorriso Brasil (Operation Smile)

Bottom image, my wife, Áurea Lúcia, on the left with Operation Smile volunteers at the Municipality Hospital (Casa de Criança) here in Santarém. Áurea is a pediatrician and she works at the Casa de Criança (Children's Center) on a regular basis. Top image, Áurea with volunteer medical school students from UEPA. The Brazilian site for Operação Sorriso Brasil is http://www.operationsmile.org.br/portal/

Operação Sorriso Brasil (Operation Smile)

Áurea asked me to join her at the Municipality Hospital (Casa de Criança) to take pictures of the annual Operação Sorriso Brasil (Operation Smile Brazil) campaign. This international program provides free surgeries to repair cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities for children around the globe. Refer to http://www.operationsmile.org/for details. Top image, this year's Operação Sorriso Brasil poster. Image below, volunteer medical students from UEPA/Santarém interviewing parents of children needing assistance. Selection of candidates took place on this day, 23 November. Surgeries were scheduled 25-28 November at São Camilo Hospital. More than 50 children received surgical care. Fundação Esperança provided some of the dental evaluations used in selecting patients. There was a time, many years ago, when the FE was the reference point for surgeries of this kind. We are always indebted to the many Brazilian and American volunteer teams participating in those campaigns. I'm sure some of these people are now participating in Operation Smile.