Yaxcheku :      For Intercambio's Winter 2003 trip, the group traveled to Yaxcheku a small Mayan village of about 230 people, located in northern Yucatan about 35 kilometers east of the regional center of Tizimin. 50 North Americans participated in the trip, and they were joined by 14 Mexicans volunteers who live elsewhere in the Yucatan peninsula.

In the clinics:   During the five working days in the medical clinic, the doctors, nurses, medical students, and translators saw more than 840 patients. At the same time, dentists treated 181 people and participants working in the eye clinic fitted 321 individuals with eyeglasses. Those working with health education visited a number of homes in the village and conducted several large group classes. The health educators trained local health workers in how to use the Spanish health guide "Donde no hay doctor" (Where There Is No Doctor).

Construction:   The construction project in Yaxcheku involved completing the foundation and walls for a badly needed community center. The previous year, Hurricane Isadore had whipped through the area and many people in Yaxcheku were caught without a strong shelter in which to ride out the storm. In addition to serving as a refuge, the community center will also be used for many other community functions. Volunteers from the village pitched in both as workers and masonry instructors. The local government will help the villagers put a roof on the building.

Cultural Exploration :   For this year's "r&r" session, the group stayed for a day and a half in the fishing village of San Filipe, located in the Rio Lagartos Nature Reserve. Many folks took advantage of a guided tour of the nature preserve, home of many migratory waterfowl including flamingos. From there, the group visited Tizimin, where local residents were in the process of celebrating the Epiphany festival of the Three Kings. Then, on our way back to Cancun (and our flights home), the group toured the recently reconstructed ancient Mayan ruins of Ek Balam.