Desea Peru has reduced child mortality rates of those living in a high altitude, rugged region in the Andes Mountains, to zero in the past year, promoting better health care practices, education, clean water and sanitation. (Courtesy Robert Dent)

CAPTION: Children in the Andes Mountain communities assisted by Desea Peru thank Dr. Frank Murray of St. Cloud, Florida, who donated  toothbrushes and toothpaste for more than 250 children to the International Life Foundation.

Health care practices in the high Andean communities of the Sacred Valley of Peru are few and far between, but Desea Peru, an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization, neither a part of a government nor a conventional for-profit business) working in the region, does an incredible job of providing clean water and health care for more than 200 Quechua families. This past year they introduced their first ‘Dental Awareness’ month to the community.

“This is an incredible community project, providing health care and clean water for a community of people whose origins date back to the Inca civilization,” says Robert Dent, president of the International Life Foundation (ILF), which provides some of the funding for the overall project. “This past October, while planning for my monitoring trip to Peru, my dentists, Dr. Frank Murray of St. Cloud, Florida and Drs. Patti and E. Alan Dowling of Orlando, Florida, donated toothbrushes and toothpaste for more than 250 children,” Dent continues.

Many of the children had never seen a toothbrush before, but with the guidance of Desea Peru’s healthcare workers, a fantastic impact was made.  Desea Peru has reduced child mortality rates of those living in a high altitude, rugged region in the Andes Mountains, to zero in the past year, promoting better health care practices, education, clean water and sanitation. Their efficient, effective and sustainable outcomes makes them one of the ILF’s favorite projects.

Children in the Andes Mountain communities assisted by Desea Peru thank Drs. Patti and E. Alan Dowling of Orlando, Florida, who donated toothbrushes and toothpaste for more than 250 children to the International Life Foundation. (Courtesy Robert Dent)

“Projects such as Desea Peru, though small, play a critical role in bringing health services to communities in such remote areas of the world,” stated Dent. “Our organization is proud to support their efforts,” he concluded.

The International Life Foundation, Inc. a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supports health, literacy and community projects in developing countries. Visit their website at https://internationallifefoundation.org/ to find more information on efforts or to donate to a cause close to your heart.