Day 2:
Our day started with a devotional led by Eric, who encouraged all the volunteers to be calm, take a breath, and listen to the work of God being done. His powerful message assured us that we are here for a reason and to trust in the plan ahead. Ready to load the bus, hopes were high, and smiles displayed our compelling community. As we arrived, patients greeted us with sturdy faith, ready to meet with us.
As crowds quickly increased, many brought children along. Long lines caused many children to seek activities and wander in boredom. We quickly set up a table filled with activities about nutrition and what a healthy diet includes, hoping to engage them. Along with that, we passed out bags with coloring supplies and dental hygiene items. As I handed out my bag, a little boy asked, “¿Puedo traer una a mi hermana?”, translated as, “Can I bring one to my sister?” The delicate tone of his voice and loving message showed the respect and empathy he had for his community and family. Our team wasn’t the only thing connected; these families were united through their love, regardless of being apart. As Dr. Silva said yesterday, these kids taught me the importance of loving each other and how love can create ties that not even distance can break.
After spending some time with the children, I decided to walk around and take photos. Through this, I came across Byron, a little boy born with cerebral palsy. Byron’s story is as impactful and remarkable as the reason he is here: his mom. Byron and his family live in a town outside of Telucután, meaning that Byron’s mom had to walk and then take a bus to arrive at the clinic. His mom has been carrying him on her back for his entire life, taking on the role of his mobility. Byron’s mom walked with him to the bus with him strapped to her back. After arriving at the clinic, Byron was assessed by volunteers and provided with a special wheelchair. Before, Byron could not hold his head up by himself, but with the new wheelchair, he held his head high and mighty. Byron’s mother had immense gratitude for the occupational therapist, Anna, who aided her as she saw her son in his new chair. A man approached Byron’s mom and repeatedly told her how much of a blessing this was. A stranger who had never spoken to Byron or his family saw the goodness and the faith in the volunteers and Byron’s family. Having an occupational therapist like Anna aswell as a physical therapist impacted Byron and his mom’s life.
In other stations like Pediatrics many kids and parents sat in chairs waiting to be seen by Dr. Silva and Dr.Zertuche. Many kids were underweight, malnourished, and coming in with problems that we’d simply fix at home with a dose of over the counter medicines and vitamins. But after seeing so many kids the sad realization was that these simple pain medications, multi-vitamins, or allergy pills in the U.S. were not so common to the people of Telucutan. As a result pedes treated ear infections, sinus infections, chronic pain, easily and reassured the parents that their kid would easily get better. Many parents came in worried about their kids weight, height, seeing, hearing, and sleeping and left much more confident. Stations like general, gynocology, mobility, and ultrasound saw knee problems, allergies, hernias, diabetes, and lymph nodes and hyperthyroid with the efficient doctors and nurses like Dr. Perez, Dr. Austin, and Dr. Kudrath, Natalie, and Erin. While others signed-in a long line of patients in, built wheelchairs, and handled pharmacy. Through this long process families circled around through stations and gathered references leaving reassured that they were in good hands.
Our first day of the clinic was a great success as doctors settled in and gained comfort. Although it was hectic today, I learned how love creates connections and how much this community appreciates the work being done. Not just the patients, but the volunteers as well, are emotional and already looking forward to the next day.
Team 924
Monika C & Mariana S, Team bloggers
