Health was the main focus of our spring break project in
Nicaragua. It consisted of everything from attending forwardHEALTH generation
classes, helping at the new Cedro Galán clinic, visiting children at the
Villa Guadalupe Child Sponsorship program, and spreading the word about our community
health fair held at the end of the week. We got to see and do a wide variety of
things throughout our time in the country.
The forwardHEALTH generation class was a huge eye-opener for us. It was
amazing to see the motivation and determination that these children had to
learn about health. We could not even imagine high school
children in the US giving up a Sunday night to learn about health. Seeing the drive these
kids had helped us refocus our life goals and aspirations.
In addition, we assisted the Program Directors
at the Cedro Galán clinic. It was both a rewarding and
empowering experience. Seeing the members of the community appreciate the
excellent service of the clinic at a very low cost was promising in the
clinic's development. From the patients who visited the clinic, we were able to
notice that the easy access to healthcare has positively influenced the
community. Although many of the
things provided in the clinic are services that we often take for granted in
America, it means a great deal to the community to have access to affordable, quality
health care.
The health fair we put together was an
amazing way for us as students to promote healthcare and reach out to the
community on a more personal level. Interacting with the children and their
parents was such a rewarding experience--we essentially set up ten stations
with basic health facts and lifestyle skills, where each had a game to go along
with it for the children. We promoted hand-washing, vaccinations, exercise, and
healthy eating while playing games that creatively related to each of these
areas of health and more. The health fair was a success mainly because we were
able to reach the children in the community who can retain this information and
live by it. In this way, early education to the children can ultimately better
the community. The health fair was also
a success because the community had never had anything like this before and
there was a great turnout. The community
often has trouble getting people to attend these sort of things and through
advertising in the community we were able to get people to attend. Their face
lite up with joy, and everyone really enjoyed the fair. Seeing the smiles on their faces and knowing
that we provided them with positive health information was really
rewarding. Overall our trip to Nicaragua
was unforgettable. Through connecting
with the lives of the community members, improving our Spanish skills, and
making bonds with other volunteers, we were able to truly make an impact with
Manna.
A special note to our wonderful PDs: We couldn't have asked for any
better when it came to our PDs Nicole and Erica! They made us feel right at
home upon our arrival. Joking with us about how the PDs came up with designated
shirt days for the week, getting competitive with some catch-phrase, and
hanging out at the Laguna were fun times that we won't forget! We also can't
forget the immense passion in both of them, it was quite contagious and they
have many of us already planning on our next trip and even considering summer
vol and PD options. Without them our trip would not have been as fun or
successful, thanks so much guys! You will both be amazing doctors one day :)