Holy smokes, people. You will not believe what I got to do for Thanksgiving!!
I mentioned in my last post that I got the opportunity to tour a hospital in Santa Cruz with a nurse who I met a few weeks ago. What I didn't know was that my friend is not just a nurse but the head pediatric doctor in the maternity ward. That's right. The head honcho!
Before I go much further, I should explain that labor/delivery/prenatal care has always been an interest of mine. No, really ALWAYS. Way back in the day, my favorite episode of Sesame Street was when the Robinson family had a baby and my siblings would scream in horror when I watched A Baby Story on TLC. "Please not a c-section!" my five year old brother would wail (What five year old boy even knows what a c-section is? Sorry Joe!). So basically, I was out of my mind excited to get to go to this hospital and experience the action in real life!
That said, my expectation for the day was this: Watch a lot of things through glass windows. Maybe get to actually have some patient interactions. And that was about it.
My expectations were blown out of the water. Completely.
My first hint that I would be doing a whole lot more than observing was when Dr. Carmiña handed me a white nurse's uniform. "Cool, I'm playing dress-up!" I thought. But when we arrive at the hospital, she lets me follow her around as she examines all the newborns -eighty newborns. There were about seven moms to each room (Seven!) and no curtains giving anyone any privacy. While the hospital was obviously old (think wrought-iron beds and stark white walls) it was pretty clean, although it was obvious that this was where the poorest of the poor come to give birth.
Sarah Groves wrote a song and the lyrics are as follows:
I saw what I saw and I can't forget it.
I heard what I heard and I can't go back
Something on the road, cuts me to the soul.
Your pain has changed me.
Your dream inspires
Your face a memory
Your hope a fire
Your courage asks me what I am afraid of
And what I know of God.
And that's exactly how I felt while at the hospital. I saw beautiful moments of motherly love and tender care of the world's newest members. Precious twin baby girls with the thickest, softest baby hair. Mommas nursing for the first time or comforting their little ones after getting their blood drawn. A lot of anxious, fish out of water, new dads. The proudest grandparents.
But a lot was also completely heart wrenching. The fourteen year old little mamas (yes, there was more than one) that are so unprepared that they don't even have diapers. The mom with Huntingtons disease that can barely control her body enough to breastfeed and another young mom weeping with postpartum depression. Mommas that can't give the daddy's name on the birth certificate because they were raped and babies no bigger than my hand covered in wires and tubes...I saw what I saw and I can't forget it.
Life can be so beautiful and so awful.
---
I'm having a once in a lifetime experience helping Dr. Carmiña when the most freaking embarrassing moment of my entire life happens. All of a sudden I start to feel horrible. My stomach is flippity flopping and my limbs feel like million pounds. And then I start to BLACK OUT. I can feel my knees buckling so I clutch the nearest table thinking "Well, I guess a hospital is probably one of the safest places to pass out." Dr. Carmiña realizes what is happening and guides me to a chair. After I'm seated and drinking some juice, I immediately feel much better -except for being completely humiliated in a room full of woman who have just been through the worst pain in their lives. Are they collapsing? Oh no, it's the wimpy gringa who is passing out -for no reason!
I still don't know why that happened. I'm not queasy around blood or hospitals and I'd eaten breakfast that morning too. I hadn't even seen the worst of it at this point. Maybe I was just too excited? Not sure. Thanks a lot, body :(
After I recover (physically, mentally I am forever shamed), I get to help one of the nurses give all eighty infants their TB vaccinations. This was one of my favorite things even though we made all of them scream their poor little hearts out, it just meant I got to cuddle them afterward.
That afternoon, Dr. Carmiña told me that she was assisting during a cesarean and asked if I wanted to attend! HECK YES was my answer. Once again, I'm thinking looking through a glass window is all that I'm going to be able to do but when we get there, I get handed a pair of scrubs, a face mask, and those little plastic booties that go over your shoes. I am freaking out from excitement but also worried, remembering that my body apparently HATES me and is completely unreliable. "If I pass out during this delivery, I will never forgive myself," I'm thinking as I step into the operating room.
But I don't pass out, in fact I don't even flinch as I see EVERYTHING. I will save you the gory details but I saw it all. My cheeks were hurting from smiling as they pull out a baby girl and I witness her first breath. I get to be the second person in the whole world to hold her, less that five minutes old. I whisper "bienvenidos chiquitinga" (welcome little one) when she opens her eyes and looks at me. And I can't decide whether to laugh or cry so I sorta do both.
And I could have been eating turkey! Best, most unforgettable Thanksgiving day ever!!!!!
Many thanks to Dr. Carmiña for letting me tag along with her. You truly gave me the world this week.
Showing posts with label Internship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Internship. Show all posts
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Los Filtros de Agua
One thing (among many) that I love about Etta Projects is that we are a Bolivian organization, almost completely run by Bolivians. My Bolivian coworkers really take a lot of pride in this and are quick to correct anyone who says otherwise. It is so important to me to work for an organization that incorporates the input and opinions of local people. It makes no sense to come into a country as knight is shining armor, pretending to know what these people need and want, when you have never experienced what their daily life is like.
Anyway, I said all that to say that whenever I go out to survey people, I try to have a local health promoter go with me. This helps with many aspects of the work that I do here, but also leaves the people someone in the community with a connection to Etta once I go home. Plus, I honestly need the help!
My promoter for the water filter project was Dona Victoria and our goal was to visit at least five families in the town, El Rodeo. I was disappointed that the first few families were not using their water filters at all because the handle on the faucets were broken or the bucket portion of the filter was cracked.
To be completely honest, sometimes I have a hard time not judging some of these families. I know that life in el campo is hard but some families take better care of their belongings and children than others. Mirna (the secretary here and my Bolivian mother) says "es un problema de caracter" -a problem of character.
One family in particular was living in horrible conditions. There were dogs, and garbage all over -even chickens in the beds! The children were half naked with snotty noses and the baby's eyes were caked with dirt and flies. This family's water filter was completely disassembled and the mother of the family didn't seem like she cared about anything. It's not my place to judge -I don't know what her life is like or how she grew up but I do pity her children. And really, I pity her as well because you must have been through hell to be that defeated. Sometimes I think what people need is hope, and that doesn't come out of a water filter. Although I could say a few things about the Living Water.
It was at this house that one of the family's dogs jumped out and bit Mirna (who went with me).
I was ready to hit the dog over the head but Mirna just shrugged and said, "It's a good thing I'm wearing jeans!" And everyone else acted like nothing happened! I. Was. In. Shock. But I'm always trying to be culturally aware so I tried to hide my horror over what happened. And I think I failed.
Despite families like this one, there were some families that were still using their filters, which is pretty good considering that they received them over a year and a half ago. One family in particular was just the cutest. The young mother was so proud of her water filter, even pouring us a glass so we could try the water. She raved and raved about both her filter and her new bathroom. It was really encouraging! Hopefully, her little boy will grow up healthy and with better opportunities! With the right tools -and enough hope- I know that all the families in el campo could have these results!
Anyway, I said all that to say that whenever I go out to survey people, I try to have a local health promoter go with me. This helps with many aspects of the work that I do here, but also leaves the people someone in the community with a connection to Etta once I go home. Plus, I honestly need the help!
My promoter for the water filter project was Dona Victoria and our goal was to visit at least five families in the town, El Rodeo. I was disappointed that the first few families were not using their water filters at all because the handle on the faucets were broken or the bucket portion of the filter was cracked.
To be completely honest, sometimes I have a hard time not judging some of these families. I know that life in el campo is hard but some families take better care of their belongings and children than others. Mirna (the secretary here and my Bolivian mother) says "es un problema de caracter" -a problem of character.
One family in particular was living in horrible conditions. There were dogs, and garbage all over -even chickens in the beds! The children were half naked with snotty noses and the baby's eyes were caked with dirt and flies. This family's water filter was completely disassembled and the mother of the family didn't seem like she cared about anything. It's not my place to judge -I don't know what her life is like or how she grew up but I do pity her children. And really, I pity her as well because you must have been through hell to be that defeated. Sometimes I think what people need is hope, and that doesn't come out of a water filter. Although I could say a few things about the Living Water.
It was at this house that one of the family's dogs jumped out and bit Mirna (who went with me).
I was ready to hit the dog over the head but Mirna just shrugged and said, "It's a good thing I'm wearing jeans!" And everyone else acted like nothing happened! I. Was. In. Shock. But I'm always trying to be culturally aware so I tried to hide my horror over what happened. And I think I failed.
Despite families like this one, there were some families that were still using their filters, which is pretty good considering that they received them over a year and a half ago. One family in particular was just the cutest. The young mother was so proud of her water filter, even pouring us a glass so we could try the water. She raved and raved about both her filter and her new bathroom. It was really encouraging! Hopefully, her little boy will grow up healthy and with better opportunities! With the right tools -and enough hope- I know that all the families in el campo could have these results!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Bolivia (and poop!)
I grew up hearing stories about this place. My Mom spent two summers here during college (yes, I am her clone) and so she has all these amazing stories about surviving a governmental take over and crazy bus rides -among others. But being here is something altogether different. I've been asked a few times what I am thinking and all I can say is that I'm not thinking, I'm just absorbing.
So what have I absorbed? Well, this town is busy. There's people all over. It's not a small town by any means but I'm enjoying all the different places. Yesterday, I saw a gym that was also a restaurant. I guess so you could eat and then work it off? But seriously, tables right next to treadmills! There's also a huge Mennonite community here, which is bizarre. This is the last place I expected to see an Amish person!
My crowning achievement so far has been going to the supermarket with Katie (my director) and going through the cashier line all by myself. Baby steps people! It was really difficult to figure out how many bolivianos (Bolivian dollars, also know as "b's") equal my American dollars. I bought some liquid yogurt though and it is just THE best. I want to drink the whole bottle right now.
I've gotten to learn a lot more about what I'll be doing here, as far as internship stuff goes. So far my favorite project is the Ecological Toilet project - all about poop! Basically, Etta Projects builds outhouses for people out in "el campo" (the country). They are like porta-potties, only a double seater. The family only uses one seat for six months. Meanwhile, all the waste in the other toilet is becoming fertilizer (and completely sterile!!) due to containment and the heat. After six months, the family cleans out the fertilizer, which they can then use or sell, and they seal off the other toilet for six months and the cycle continues. Is that not amazing? There are challenges to it though. The metal is corroding and some people literally don't know how to use a toilet because they've never used one before. Crazy. Needless to say, my Spanish potty talk vocabulary has skyrocketed! I'll also be working with some community gardens, water filters, first aid kits, and some stuff called "power flour." Power flour is also really cool, it increases appetite and nutrient absorption so Etta Projects has been giving it to kids to help with their nutrition.
Alrighty, I know that wasn't too much of an overview but I promise I'll write more tomorrow. And it should be super interesting because I get to write all about a Quinceanera! Check out this article on Quinceanera so you are educated :) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quincea%C3%B1era
So what have I absorbed? Well, this town is busy. There's people all over. It's not a small town by any means but I'm enjoying all the different places. Yesterday, I saw a gym that was also a restaurant. I guess so you could eat and then work it off? But seriously, tables right next to treadmills! There's also a huge Mennonite community here, which is bizarre. This is the last place I expected to see an Amish person!
My crowning achievement so far has been going to the supermarket with Katie (my director) and going through the cashier line all by myself. Baby steps people! It was really difficult to figure out how many bolivianos (Bolivian dollars, also know as "b's") equal my American dollars. I bought some liquid yogurt though and it is just THE best. I want to drink the whole bottle right now.
I've gotten to learn a lot more about what I'll be doing here, as far as internship stuff goes. So far my favorite project is the Ecological Toilet project - all about poop! Basically, Etta Projects builds outhouses for people out in "el campo" (the country). They are like porta-potties, only a double seater. The family only uses one seat for six months. Meanwhile, all the waste in the other toilet is becoming fertilizer (and completely sterile!!) due to containment and the heat. After six months, the family cleans out the fertilizer, which they can then use or sell, and they seal off the other toilet for six months and the cycle continues. Is that not amazing? There are challenges to it though. The metal is corroding and some people literally don't know how to use a toilet because they've never used one before. Crazy. Needless to say, my Spanish potty talk vocabulary has skyrocketed! I'll also be working with some community gardens, water filters, first aid kits, and some stuff called "power flour." Power flour is also really cool, it increases appetite and nutrient absorption so Etta Projects has been giving it to kids to help with their nutrition.
Alrighty, I know that wasn't too much of an overview but I promise I'll write more tomorrow. And it should be super interesting because I get to write all about a Quinceanera! Check out this article on Quinceanera so you are educated :) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quincea%C3%B1era
Friday, August 19, 2011
The post in which I confirm my insanity
Do you ever hate your past-self? I mean, you look at decisions that you made last week, or last month, and wonder, "What in the blazes was I thinking? Was I completely insane? Do I have multiple personality disorder or WHAT??"
That is how I feel right now. Because I have to move out of my house soon. And that means packing (insert anguished groan here). I loathe packing. It is lame. And awful. And terrible. Ok, ok so I knew that was coming so technically, I could have been packing months ago. Except we're forgetting that my past-self was crazy and obviously not thinking about her/my future sanity.
Also, I'm going camping next weekend. So the weekend is out for packing. But that still leaves next week to pack. Only I'm preparing the food for the aforementioned camping trip.
At this point, you're probably thinking that I'm overreacting, right? C'mon, Davielle. Chill out. Just cook your food and pack after work -you've got three free nights! True, very true. Except I'm cooking (and shopping!) for...forty people. FOUR-O PEOPLE. You're ready to check me into the mental ward now, right? Heck, I'm ready to check myself in.
Also, in case you haven't noticed yet from this blog -I'm going to Bolivia, which means there's another hat to wear. And I want to have at least some time to spend with my friends before I abandon them all for Latin America! Throw family time in there and I feel like I'm going to go (even) crazy(er). Made more crazy by the fact that work has been dreadfully slow, so I basically just sit here for eight hours thinking of all the things I need to do, which I can't do because I'm working.
I curse you, I-am-super-woman past-self! Oh man, if speaking about yourself in a disassociative manner isn't basis for admittance into the nearest mental institution, I don't know what is.
That is how I feel right now. Because I have to move out of my house soon. And that means packing (insert anguished groan here). I loathe packing. It is lame. And awful. And terrible. Ok, ok so I knew that was coming so technically, I could have been packing months ago. Except we're forgetting that my past-self was crazy and obviously not thinking about her/my future sanity.
Also, I'm going camping next weekend. So the weekend is out for packing. But that still leaves next week to pack. Only I'm preparing the food for the aforementioned camping trip.
At this point, you're probably thinking that I'm overreacting, right? C'mon, Davielle. Chill out. Just cook your food and pack after work -you've got three free nights! True, very true. Except I'm cooking (and shopping!) for...forty people. FOUR-O PEOPLE. You're ready to check me into the mental ward now, right? Heck, I'm ready to check myself in.
Also, in case you haven't noticed yet from this blog -I'm going to Bolivia, which means there's another hat to wear. And I want to have at least some time to spend with my friends before I abandon them all for Latin America! Throw family time in there and I feel like I'm going to go (even) crazy(er). Made more crazy by the fact that work has been dreadfully slow, so I basically just sit here for eight hours thinking of all the things I need to do, which I can't do because I'm working.
I curse you, I-am-super-woman past-self! Oh man, if speaking about yourself in a disassociative manner isn't basis for admittance into the nearest mental institution, I don't know what is.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Journal Entry: Feb 27th
Every so often, I'd like to post some old journal entries about the bigger picture process of going to Bolivia. They won't be too personal and I'll edit them as I go but I thought it might be cool to see just how long this trip was in the making. This is one from way back in February.
Exhale. This weekend I was reminded how much I hate change. This house is going to be completely different next year. I won't be in my sweet little room. There will be new people and new stuff and new ways of doing things. And I might be semi-ok with all of this, truly, if it weren't for the fact that I'm planning on being in Latin America in the fall. Laugh with me, won't you? The momma's girl that doesn't like change will be on another continent. Can I really do that? Am I crazy? This could be disastrous!
And amidst all those thoughts, God so clearly said, "Legitimate reasons and fears become bad excuses after I call you."
It made me stop. Which is a big deal in the middle of a busy Thursday -or any weekday for that matter (PS I am so thankful that God speaks amidst my chaos! Yes, it is fantastic to give Him sacred space but sometimes -He just speaks anyway). It makes my stomach drop because a) God just spoke to me 2) Conviction does that to you and lastly, 3) Could this be confirmation that I'm actually supposed to go? (just realized I "numbered" those thoughts a, 2, 3. Shesh).
And yet I still want to leave myself a back door in case things don't work out in Latin America. In case I really am crazy.
Exhale. This weekend I was reminded how much I hate change. This house is going to be completely different next year. I won't be in my sweet little room. There will be new people and new stuff and new ways of doing things. And I might be semi-ok with all of this, truly, if it weren't for the fact that I'm planning on being in Latin America in the fall. Laugh with me, won't you? The momma's girl that doesn't like change will be on another continent. Can I really do that? Am I crazy? This could be disastrous!
And amidst all those thoughts, God so clearly said, "Legitimate reasons and fears become bad excuses after I call you."
It made me stop. Which is a big deal in the middle of a busy Thursday -or any weekday for that matter (PS I am so thankful that God speaks amidst my chaos! Yes, it is fantastic to give Him sacred space but sometimes -He just speaks anyway). It makes my stomach drop because a) God just spoke to me 2) Conviction does that to you and lastly, 3) Could this be confirmation that I'm actually supposed to go? (just realized I "numbered" those thoughts a, 2, 3. Shesh).
And yet I still want to leave myself a back door in case things don't work out in Latin America. In case I really am crazy.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Evaluation and Confession
Bolivia is slowly starting to become real. I should be able to buy my plane ticket this weekend and will be leaving in just a little over a month. It has been so exciting to have so many friends and family members share in my joy. I love that community feeling of love and support -couldn't go without it! Good people just make all the difference. My friend, Jubilee (also a Community Health student and just a dear, dear sister) got accepted the day before I did, to do an internship in Egypt. Sharing my joy with her was especially sweet. These internships abroad have truly been our dreams for these past two years in school and God has been so faithful to carry us through -even when riots broke out in Egypt and I wasn't sure if I would have a job.
Her words last night were especially comforting. Don't tell -but lately, I have been doubting my abilities in Spanish and Community Health. I mean, this will be real, legit work. People's lives are affected by the programs that Etta Projects does and my evaluation has the potential to change the way those programs are carried out. That's a big responsibility. But Jubes reminded me that we've done this before. In fact, we had a whole class on evaluation. And I'm not bragging about my abilities in Community Health -because I definitely have my weak points (SPSS and Stats for starters!) but evaluation was definitely one of my stronger skills. We'll see if it still is when I'm speaking Spanish!
Shameful confession: At my desk here at work, I've printed out a map of South America and tacked it up to the bulletin board next to me -with Bolivia outlined in blue. Patients have been asking about it and so I get to tell them about my trip! Sneaky, huh? Also, maybe slightly pathetic but I am ok with it. At least this way I'm not all, "Here for an xray? Let me tell you about my upcoming trip to Bolivia!"
Her words last night were especially comforting. Don't tell -but lately, I have been doubting my abilities in Spanish and Community Health. I mean, this will be real, legit work. People's lives are affected by the programs that Etta Projects does and my evaluation has the potential to change the way those programs are carried out. That's a big responsibility. But Jubes reminded me that we've done this before. In fact, we had a whole class on evaluation. And I'm not bragging about my abilities in Community Health -because I definitely have my weak points (SPSS and Stats for starters!) but evaluation was definitely one of my stronger skills. We'll see if it still is when I'm speaking Spanish!
Shameful confession: At my desk here at work, I've printed out a map of South America and tacked it up to the bulletin board next to me -with Bolivia outlined in blue. Patients have been asking about it and so I get to tell them about my trip! Sneaky, huh? Also, maybe slightly pathetic but I am ok with it. At least this way I'm not all, "Here for an xray? Let me tell you about my upcoming trip to Bolivia!"
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The Call
I got the call today.
And I'm in! There's just nothing like seeing the number on your phone and thinking "This is it!" Hearing the words "We have a spot for you..." YES! And then to hear all about what I'll be doing, what I'll be learning. Here's a little overview of what I'll be up to...IN BOLIVIA:
- Bathroom project
- Water Filter Project
- Village water system (8-10 villages)
Monthly Schedule of Evaluation Activities:
Study Etta Projects' water and sanitation projects (approach,
practices, models, objectives, etc) (month 1)
Create evaluation tools (month 1)
Receive data (month 1-2)
Systematize the data (month 2)
Analyze the data (month 2)
Research new data (similar projects, reseach analysis, etc) (month 2-3)
Write Final Report (month 3)
It all sounds so important, yeah? A lot of it sounds very formal but in reality, data collection just means interviewing the local people about how they feel the water/sanitation projects were received. Which means, I get to speak Spanish all day! SO FUN!
And now there is just so much to do.
And I'm in! There's just nothing like seeing the number on your phone and thinking "This is it!" Hearing the words "We have a spot for you..." YES! And then to hear all about what I'll be doing, what I'll be learning. Here's a little overview of what I'll be up to...IN BOLIVIA:
- Bathroom project
- Water Filter Project
- Village water system (8-10 villages)
Monthly Schedule of Evaluation Activities:
Study Etta Projects' water and sanitation projects (approach,
practices, models, objectives, etc) (month 1)
Create evaluation tools (month 1)
Receive data (month 1-2)
Systematize the data (month 2)
Analyze the data (month 2)
Research new data (similar projects, reseach analysis, etc) (month 2-3)
Write Final Report (month 3)
It all sounds so important, yeah? A lot of it sounds very formal but in reality, data collection just means interviewing the local people about how they feel the water/sanitation projects were received. Which means, I get to speak Spanish all day! SO FUN!
And now there is just so much to do.
Hope Crescendo
Oh boy, how very cliché...going on a trip and starting a blog. But I once heard a quote that went something like, "Clichés are invariably important, that's why they are clichés," and I figure that's probably as good a blog theme as any.
Some disclaimers: I'm not super creative, at least not in a writing sort of way. For example, my sister came up with the blog title, I'm so pathetic. Although, I did translate it into Spanish ("a" = "to" for all you uno-lingual people out there). There will also be some spelling and grammar mistakes but trust me, they bug me more than they bug you. Aaaaand a little bit of exaggeration. Some people call it overly dramatic but I am really just expressive. If any of those things grate on your nerves, this may not be the blog for you.
You know that feeling you get, halfway between excitement and anxiety, with a whole lot anticipation mixed in? I've got that feeling real bad right now. I should get a call from an internship director tomorrow at Etta Projects and right now it feels like the phone call that Will. Define. My. Life. (did I mention the exaggerating?). Nevertheless, quite an exciting time in my life at the very least. It may be a little presumptuous to start a blog before I even have confirmation about the internship, but I wanted to capture the hope crescendo (think of music swelling, right before the finale) that I'm feeling right now. And if I don't get it, it will not be the end of the world. Just the end of this blog. Ha.
Some disclaimers: I'm not super creative, at least not in a writing sort of way. For example, my sister came up with the blog title, I'm so pathetic. Although, I did translate it into Spanish ("a" = "to" for all you uno-lingual people out there). There will also be some spelling and grammar mistakes but trust me, they bug me more than they bug you. Aaaaand a little bit of exaggeration. Some people call it overly dramatic but I am really just expressive. If any of those things grate on your nerves, this may not be the blog for you.
You know that feeling you get, halfway between excitement and anxiety, with a whole lot anticipation mixed in? I've got that feeling real bad right now. I should get a call from an internship director tomorrow at Etta Projects and right now it feels like the phone call that Will. Define. My. Life. (did I mention the exaggerating?). Nevertheless, quite an exciting time in my life at the very least. It may be a little presumptuous to start a blog before I even have confirmation about the internship, but I wanted to capture the hope crescendo (think of music swelling, right before the finale) that I'm feeling right now. And if I don't get it, it will not be the end of the world. Just the end of this blog. Ha.
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