Monday, February 6, 2012

Clinics this week and Pas Salud volunteers:
Ojas 1: Visual acuity exams were done by several El Salvadoran volunteers, including Sebastian, Giselle, and Gabriel.
Ojas 2: Eye Exams are staffed with three optometrists: Bob, Ken and Walt. Also in clinic were Andrea (volunteer and technical expert!), and two student volunteers.
Ojas 3: Eyeglass Clinic is staffed with Heather (optometrist), Margaret (interpreter), Mary (RN), Sr. Marilee, and Leanne. Central American volunteers included Rosa and Carlos ( from Honduras).
Farmacia: In the Pharmacy is Melissa (MD), Moises (RN), Kathy Garcia, and two young students who speak perfect English; Sebastian and David. Also staffing the Farmacia was Clara, El Salvadoran doctora-candidate. The two high school students sit and package hundreds of Tylenol paid relievers. Melissa has Central American music blasting from the miniscule speaker attached to her i-phone.
Medicina General: In Family Practice is Jon (MD), Lorne (MD), Charlotte (MD), Britt (med student) and Blanca, Elba and Fidel; interpreters. Also volunteering were El Salvadorans: Jieme and doctora Anglina
Mujeres: In Women’s Health is Deb (CNM), Pam (interpreter) and Anna (interpreter). Salvador, a Salvadorian Radiologist helping to direct traffic. And finally;
Ninos: Peds was staffed by Norm, Dale, and interpreters Pat and Lysette.
Sisters: Susan and Amalia were everywhere, helping, coaching, answering questions and being generally omnipotent (thankfully)!
Later in the afternoon on Monday, I met Michael (last name omitted). He stated that he started a NGO (non-governmental organization) in San Joe Villanueva ten years ago. He states he was here during the Peace Corp forty years ago, and then ten years ago, he returned to San Jose Villanueva to renew his marriage vows and has been here ever since. He drove past and stopped twice on Sunday as our group hiked up the hill. He has some distain for groups like ours that come in only twice a year, but also states he is Catholic and the churches endorse and support these missions. He was kind and congenial but talked about groups like ours “sweeping in like Santa Claus from the great white north to rescue us.” While I had similar thoughts during the 2005 Mission trip, I have changed my mind somewhat. Part of what we do is education. Education is never wasted! And while the pharmaceuticals handed out, even if only vitamins, are short-lived, we may actually cure a deficit with the right combination; but we also give HOPE to people. We are kind and loving and with the exam and the short-lived drugs, comes the education and the teachings that hopefully, one more iteration, helps cement the standards such as follow-up with a local clinic or use the water filters to help eliminate water-borne parasites.
Michael also talks about how unsafe it can be here while at the same time, espousing great love for the local people. He drove up and down the street twice while we were out walking and he stops. He likes to give advice to Americans. He tells me that just across the street from the Centro Salesiano Ayaguala compound, there is a very bad gang and that two bodies found in the woods recently, right across the highway. Apparently, Michael coordinates many water and septic projects with groups such as Engineers without borders.
Clinic went until 6:30, most of the clinics had closed by about 5:45, but Anos’ still had several patients to go. Although it was Anos that kept us here late and we had to see all the patients; both Women’s Health (Mujeres) and Ojas #2 fit in just a few more patients. We were back at the Compound at 7 PM and the caregivers are relaxed and happy. On the bus home, Kathy spoke for the first 10 minutes on the bus and debriefed the caregivers. Once Kathy finished, the bus erupted in a deafening din of shared experiences from the day. For me, I am tired and sleep sitting up for a short period of time.