“We wanted people to experience Perú with the ambiance, because who ever visits does not want to leave,” said Isabel Galvez. A Perúvian Clevelander, she offered to help students organizing the benefit to bring cultural performances to the benefit.
Marcía Salas Dance Group, performed a series of traditional dances from Cusco, Perú. Teresa’s Kitchen tantalized taste buds with delicious cuisine and guest also sampled Perú’s flag liquor -Pisco Sour, a cocktail mixed with imported Pisco (Perúvian brandy-like clear liquor distillate from grapes),
Nine year old Isabella Moner stole the hearts of the audience members with songs sung in Portuguese, and English and profusely thanked her father Patrick for accompanying her on the guitar. Moner’s mother Katrerina was a member of team of 48 that visited Cusco to help with the Lamay Clinic last year and will return this year with Isabella by her side. “She will be singing to orphans and assisting with the pharmacy,” she said.
Isabella said singing “Over the Rainbow” is one of her most beloved songs that she enjoys sharing with others and is eager to return to Perú to perform and also visit her grandparents.
The Lamay Clinic Project is in its third year and interest has continued to grow. This year more than 74 students, healthcare professionals including physicians, pediatricians, nurses and dentists from Cleveland and around the country will spend six weeks; between May 28 – June 24, 2011, providing critical medical care to remote villages around Cusco.
“Last year we helped more than 1500 patients,” said Satoko Kanahara, a fourth-year medical student at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. She said this year students will focus on training local health care providers in CPR techniques especially for pediatrics. The project is also donating a portable ultrasound machine to the Lamay Clinic.
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