On our second day with Sacred Valley Health (SVH) we headed up and up (1200 ft!) and over to the beautiful town of Yanamayo. SVH's impact reaches extremely remote villages, like this one, where Spanish-speaking interpreters are needed to help communicate with the children who speak Quechua, the lingua franca of the Incas.

While SVH and the health and nursing students from SUNY Brockport were able to provide crucial health education and medical care, we also learned so much from the children as well, and were inspired by their kindness, bright smiles, and cold hands, greeting us one-by-one in the schoolyard, on that cold, sunny morning.

In order to help Sacred Valley Health continue their amazing work, travelling to remote communities to administer care and provide health education, consider contributing to their program and visit their website here.

Enjoy the photos :)

Children wait on a small hill next to their school. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and Suny Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

The children received gifts before the medical campaign started. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and Suny Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

The remote village of Yanamayo is surrounded by breathtaking scenery, and the school sits under a ridge of mountains. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and Suny Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

A child gets her measurements taken. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and Suny Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

Eye exams. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and Suny Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

These children patiently wait their turn. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and Suny Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

© Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and Suny Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

Washing hands! © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and Suny Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

Without access to piped water, the volunteers rig a hand-washing system that the students learn to use and implement at home. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and Suny Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

At the nutrition table, students learn what foods constitute a balanced meal. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and Suny Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

Amazing volunteers of Sacred Valley Health. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and Suny Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

A local community health promoter checks a student's mouth for cavities. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and Suny Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

Students from SUNY Brockport conduct physical exams at the remote village in Peru. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and SUNY Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

Three children get physical exams at the same time in one of their small classrooms. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and Suny Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

The children help Keri, of Sacred Valley Health, take stock of medical supplies. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and Suny Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

A portrait of another wonderful Sacred Valley Health volunteer, Stewart. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and Suny Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

Sacred Valley Health trains community health promoters, like this woman, to help address health issues in the villages where they live. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and Suny Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

Students from SUNY Brockport find some time to joke around during a lunch break. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and Suny Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

Children learn to brush their teeth for the first time. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and Suny Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

Students from SUNY Brockport, conducting a tooth brushing demonstration at the dental hygiene station. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and Suny Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

Everyone mingles for lunch. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Sacred Valley Health and Suny Brockport in Yanamayo, Peru.

Way to go team! What amazing work and such a fun time!

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam