San Lorenzo Chiquilá :      Intercambio visited the wonderfully hospitable Mayan village of San Lorenzo Chiquilá, home to about 300 people, located in rural, northern Yucatan.

Medical Clinic:   During the five working days in the medical clinic, the doctors, nurses, medical students, and translators saw more than 563 patients. Among other things, the medical team dispensed 4,650 ibuprofen, 3,690 adult vitamins, and 7,350 children vitamins. Those working in the eye clinic dispensed 223 pairs of eyeglasses. The health education team 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 team worked with dozens of local volunteers to build a six room medical clinic for the village . Using local building techniques and local materials, the project finished the foundation, floor, and walls of the building. The local regional government will help the villagers put a roof on the building. After it is completed, Mexican health authorities will assign a recently graduated doctor to work in the new clinic.

Cultural Exploration :   On New Year's morning, the group visited "Culubá", a set of ancient Mayan ruins only a few kilometers from San Lorenzo Chiquilá. Then, after our time in the village, the group visited Tizimin, where local residents were in the process of celebrating the Epiphany festival of the Three Kings. Next, the group spent some "r&r" time in the fishing village of San Felipe. While there, most opted to take a guided boat tour of the nearby Rio Lagartos Nature Reserve. On our way back to Cancún (and our flights home), the group toured the ancient Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá and the nearby Balancanche Caves, site of ancient worship rituals.