We live in close contact with a wide variety of animals.
Here are just a few ...
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Life of Charity (LoC) I - Laundry
The first week I had to wash at the clinic.
It was a challenge getting the laundry & 4 kids to the clinic plus timing to go back & get it & put it on the line.
Then one night I had a surprise - I came home and found my very own washing machine. Small pleasures!
I have to wash practically everyday because I hang the clothes on the porch & it takes forever to dry.
There are frequent rain showers (we are near the end of the rainy season) plus the mosquitoes eat me up just hanging laundry so that is why I hang it on the screened porch.
I brought some Charlie soap which is fragrance free but when you hang your clothes out they just don’t smell so sweet, depending on how long it takes for them to dry. So I have resorted to buying soap here plus something you put in on the rinse cycle.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
The word is out
One of the benefits of our house location is the work commute (haha), and the ease with which I can see my family throughout the day.
However, it is also "understood" that if I am around, I am here to help.
Until today, I had yet to be "bothered" during after-clinic hours.
This morning, I was called to visit an elderly lady with "la lombriz" - parasites.
And then this evening I took care of a young adult with an URI, and then placed 7 stitches in the base of 4 year old's foot.
Patchacan knows that a doctor is again living in "la casa azul" - the blue house.
However, it is also "understood" that if I am around, I am here to help.
Until today, I had yet to be "bothered" during after-clinic hours.
This morning, I was called to visit an elderly lady with "la lombriz" - parasites.
And then this evening I took care of a young adult with an URI, and then placed 7 stitches in the base of 4 year old's foot.
Patchacan knows that a doctor is again living in "la casa azul" - the blue house.
Remarkable
We are now here two weeks.
Until yesterday, nearly all the people in the village were polite towards us but definitely kept to themselves.
They seemed friendly with their “Dias” or “Tardes” or “Noches” – short for good day, good afternoon and good night. But this was as far as it went.
This was in spite of me working in the clinic, us not being the first gringos in the area and our aforementioned walks through the village.
Yesterday, as mentioned, we celebrated Hudson’s 6th birthday and were pleased to have close to two dozen people come over for the festivities.
Within 10 minutes of ending his party, 8 of the children showed up at our door to play.
Today, we were joined by 10 others in a pick-up soccer game – two prior attempts to include some local kids in this affair had failed.
And now we have two different children at our house playing with our soldiers and cars.
Remarkable.
Why we are here
We came to Belize for a variety of reasons.
Some noble, some selfish.
We may or may not go into more of "our" why later.
However, today I came across an article that mentions some reasons why we came, or at least some of the reasons why we would like to think we came, or at the very least some of the reasons why we would aspire to do something like this in the future.
Enjoy ...
WHAT'S THE ALLURE OF INTERNATIONAL MEDICINE?
Nicholas Comninellis, MD, MPH
"I've lost three more patients today," writes Ben Cavilla, MD, from the Lubango Evangelical Medical Center in Angola, southern Africa. "One had terminal AIDS. Another had a liter of puss in her belly. And the third was a young child with typhoid fever." Dr. Cavilla gave up the comforts of British Columbia, paid his own expenses, entered into a foreign culture, and learned a new language - all for the privilege of volunteering his time and talent.
Consider also Rick Donlon, founder of Christ Community Health Services in South Memphis. "We took a dramatic pay cut to help the poor," says Dr. Donlon with all humility. "Some of us mortgaged our houses to pay bills and salaries so we could impact the most largely underserved part of the city."
Why did these individuals make such sacrifices? What is the genesis of this allure; the allure of international medicine?
Let's begin by defining just what we mean by the words international medicine. While various interpretations are in use, most fundamentally international medicine means healthcare for all people - especially those on the margins.
And here begins the first allure of international medicine: We want to care for those who are most marginalized. As I read applications for the INMED International Medicine Certificate, I encounter professionals inspired over the prospect of investing their time, talent and treasure for which their only likely recompense will be a "Thank you" and a sense of satisfaction. In an age of economic crisis, why is this so attractive? Because, first of all, it is consistent with the ethics we most admire; also, because it resonates with the faith possessed by many; and because we realize that somehow this kind of self-sacrifice is intensely good for our souls.
But caring for those most poor presents daunting obstacles. And here originates the second allure of international medicine: We like a challenge, something difficult; something that demands innovation and often brings out the very best in us. Those who are truly poor, whether in the United States or in other nations, are often separated by divergent culture and low-resources. Providing effective health intervention requires mature skills in crossing cultural divides - skills in language, worldview, and health beliefs that are infrequently addressed in formal education. For this reason, INMED is offering the upcoming Cross-Cultural Competency in Healthcare Symposium. Successful health intervention with limited resources also demands unique abilities in community health assessment, managing diseases of poverty, and health leadership. The INMED International Medicine Intensive Course is an invaluable opportunity to gain these skills. So equipped, we are better prepared to be fueled by the challenge.
The third allure of international medicine touches on a deeply personal note: We want a healthy legacy. I am struck by the frequency with which healthcare professionals reflect on their experience in medical missions or free health clinics or community health centers, even years removed. Though their service was often difficult and marked by failures, it also created intense personal meaning and deep significance. And while pride did not prompt the service, they are intensely gratified that it became part of their personal history.
So how shall we respond to the allure of international medicine? For those new to the field, I would first recommend volunteering in your current community. Displaced people, minorities, and neglected citizens are almost ubiquitous. Also, seek out like-hearted individuals for collaboration and encouragement. The meld of similar conviction produces success unthinkable by those working alone. Strengthen your understanding and skills in the field. It is for this very reason that INMED exists: to so equip healthcare professionals. Finally, realize that the allure is not simply intellectual, but one that originates in our souls, and happy are those who permit themselves to be lured on behalf of those who are least served.
Some noble, some selfish.
We may or may not go into more of "our" why later.
However, today I came across an article that mentions some reasons why we came, or at least some of the reasons why we would like to think we came, or at the very least some of the reasons why we would aspire to do something like this in the future.
Enjoy ...
WHAT'S THE ALLURE OF INTERNATIONAL MEDICINE?
Nicholas Comninellis, MD, MPH
"I've lost three more patients today," writes Ben Cavilla, MD, from the Lubango Evangelical Medical Center in Angola, southern Africa. "One had terminal AIDS. Another had a liter of puss in her belly. And the third was a young child with typhoid fever." Dr. Cavilla gave up the comforts of British Columbia, paid his own expenses, entered into a foreign culture, and learned a new language - all for the privilege of volunteering his time and talent.
Consider also Rick Donlon, founder of Christ Community Health Services in South Memphis. "We took a dramatic pay cut to help the poor," says Dr. Donlon with all humility. "Some of us mortgaged our houses to pay bills and salaries so we could impact the most largely underserved part of the city."
Why did these individuals make such sacrifices? What is the genesis of this allure; the allure of international medicine?
Let's begin by defining just what we mean by the words international medicine. While various interpretations are in use, most fundamentally international medicine means healthcare for all people - especially those on the margins.
And here begins the first allure of international medicine: We want to care for those who are most marginalized. As I read applications for the INMED International Medicine Certificate, I encounter professionals inspired over the prospect of investing their time, talent and treasure for which their only likely recompense will be a "Thank you" and a sense of satisfaction. In an age of economic crisis, why is this so attractive? Because, first of all, it is consistent with the ethics we most admire; also, because it resonates with the faith possessed by many; and because we realize that somehow this kind of self-sacrifice is intensely good for our souls.
But caring for those most poor presents daunting obstacles. And here originates the second allure of international medicine: We like a challenge, something difficult; something that demands innovation and often brings out the very best in us. Those who are truly poor, whether in the United States or in other nations, are often separated by divergent culture and low-resources. Providing effective health intervention requires mature skills in crossing cultural divides - skills in language, worldview, and health beliefs that are infrequently addressed in formal education. For this reason, INMED is offering the upcoming Cross-Cultural Competency in Healthcare Symposium. Successful health intervention with limited resources also demands unique abilities in community health assessment, managing diseases of poverty, and health leadership. The INMED International Medicine Intensive Course is an invaluable opportunity to gain these skills. So equipped, we are better prepared to be fueled by the challenge.
The third allure of international medicine touches on a deeply personal note: We want a healthy legacy. I am struck by the frequency with which healthcare professionals reflect on their experience in medical missions or free health clinics or community health centers, even years removed. Though their service was often difficult and marked by failures, it also created intense personal meaning and deep significance. And while pride did not prompt the service, they are intensely gratified that it became part of their personal history.
So how shall we respond to the allure of international medicine? For those new to the field, I would first recommend volunteering in your current community. Displaced people, minorities, and neglected citizens are almost ubiquitous. Also, seek out like-hearted individuals for collaboration and encouragement. The meld of similar conviction produces success unthinkable by those working alone. Strengthen your understanding and skills in the field. It is for this very reason that INMED exists: to so equip healthcare professionals. Finally, realize that the allure is not simply intellectual, but one that originates in our souls, and happy are those who permit themselves to be lured on behalf of those who are least served.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Hudson turned 6 today
We had the privilege to celebrate his birthday with some of our neighbors this afternoon.
Water-balloons, balloon-popping, cake and piñatas.
Lots o’ fun.
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