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A COMMITTEE OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF STRATFORD CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Summary of Mission Trip January 2020
Rotary Club of Stratford Charitable Foundation/COMMIT Mission trip Jan 16 to 31, 2020 Nicaragua
The Rotary Club of Stratford Charitable Foundation/COMMIT/NPH Mission trip this year to our usual destination in Nicaragua was very successful. Seventeen participants - including 3 doctors, 5 nurses, 2 pharmacists, and a Pharmacy assistant, two Rotarian American friends and 4 other dedicated members including our youngest of 18 who has a focus on Missionary work made the trip. It was an excellent mix of old and young who worked seamlessly together to accomplish our Goals and Mission.
I invite you to read our web page and daily blog to get the true flavour of our trip and the people we serve (commitwithnphnicaragua.simplesite.com ).
We sent a full and quite stuffed 40 foot container down in October 2019 which arrived in early January in time for unpacking and distribution by our team. It contained a variety of items including 2 Maternity/Delivery beds ($40,000), three Examination tables ($6000), Two Defibrillators ($3000), Stretcher/bed , cribs, medicine cart, many bedside and overhead tables, wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes and other medical devices and supplies, dental products, 400 bags of layettes packages put together with products for mom and newborns), clothes ,linens and blankets, tools , school supplies , toys, games, sports equipment, one bicycle, sewing machines, and even an upright freezer (donated by our own Eliz Gaffney). All the container products were requested or needed and much prized by the recipients, including the Nandaime and Rivas hospitals. We were fortunate to have as one team member someone well connected with the Medical supply field who was able to have donated many of the expensive products we obtained. We also teamed up with Pan Missions, a church group in Guelph area who does a large Sewing project (Apollo) in Managua to transport 1000 lbs of material for them.
Thank you, Janice and Maire, for going down 10 days early to sort and distribute some of the larger items so we could have room for our accommodation. This will be our 4th container sent to this area, each one valued at over $100,000.
We were also able to also have donated an ECG machine ($5000) and a Vital signs monitor ($700) along with two laptop computers (Go Tech) which we took down with the main team in 26 hockey bags.
Truly a gift from heaven were 2500 pairs of new running shoes and clothing donated by Adidas Canada valued at $250,000. some of which we took and the rest to be sent in March of this year. Thank you, Adidas Canada. You have helped many sore, but now happy, feet in Nicaragua.
Last but not least we also had 65 solar lights donated by Grace United Church in Tavistock to supply light to the community of La Flor which has no electricity in their remote village. They have been distributed to the inhabitants which gives new meaning to the word “Let there be light”
Our medical team set out early each morning( 4 am one morning to reach our remote destination 2 ½ hrs away in 4 wheel drive Lorry) and ran medical clinics in 6 villages and Dental Clinics in 2.Our team of doctors ,nurses and valuable assistants along with a Local Nicaraguan team of doctors and nurses saw over 1000 people and over 50 dental patients needing 50 extractions. We dispensed several thousand prescriptions mainly for chronic care conditions like diabetes and hypertension, and vitamins and pain meds. No person was turned away although exhaustion set in for our team mid afternoon in hot dusty conditions. With our team of translators and helpers we did an awesome job of serving the people. We educated our clinic clientele about wise use of antibiotics, dental care, foot care especially for diabetics. We preformed several hundred lab tests (urinalysis, blood sugars, hemoglobins ) dispensed over 1000 reading and sun glasses, 1000 toothbrushes and tooth paste, soap and 5 hearing aids to very grateful people who could now hear well for the first in a long time.
First aid courses were taught in each village around common problems such as choking, CPR, treatment of wounds, burns and fractures but also related to common problems they have seen. First aid kits were left with each trained team member
Every clinic was a challenge on where and how to set up stations, clean rooms , put up partitions , establish an efficient flow, police etc, Then there was the question of how many were going to come but it was always more than we anticipated.. We even set up our own latrine at least for the ladies with tarps that sometimes blew up in the wind gusts to the consternation of our female users. Our team with their initial organized chaos eventually honed their efficiency and each member became their own director and independent part a smooth operation. Since there was a run on shoes and color and style became as important as size, we had to limit shoes to diabetics and the elderly since we were overwhelmed with remaining allotment given out by a local committee of leaders to dispense to the most needy.
Cleaning up the yard for our arrival by the locals usually involved burning the leaves just before creating a smoky environment for our work and necessitating a fire brigade to extinguish so we could breath and do our jobs.
On the last day we had time to vaccinate the 4 dogs and one cat at the orphanage for Rabies to protect the inhabitants and all the school groups that come to help out.
Water
Our biggest is a water project that involves drilling 4 wells with electric pumps and water towers in villages with no local safe or reliable water and dependent on a tanker truck which brings in water to fill pails for inhabitants 2x wk which of course has to be rationed. Two other communities that have wells that we drilled are being upgraded to Electric pumps, Water Towers and Distribution systems with piping of 7.5 km and 3.5km long respectively. This is a project partnership of the Rotary Club of Stratford Charitable Foundation, Rotary Club of Granada, Local Alcaldia (local government) of Nandaime and NPH. We are in the process of applying for a Global Grant but this large a project is very complicated especially bureaucratically. This was identified as a priority by local government officials but clean, safe and adequate water should be a right of every citizen in this world
We had two meeting with of all parties concerned and with the villages to further the above process during this Mission informing them of the exact nature of the project and asking for input. They were anxious for us to start.
Eco friendly stoves
Our second project is a stove project to replace the open fire cooking in contained areas with eco and health friendly stoves (50 to 70% more efficient) that vent through ceiling. We have run 6 pilot stoves in the community of Nandarola for a year and on this trip, assessed their success and obtained input from the users on satisfaction and any changes they would recommend. The input was extremely positive with only some minor changes needed and the Rotary Club of Hyde Park London is now going to take the lead in applying for a global grant to install more as a cooperative venture with Ecofogon (the NGO that developed the technology ), The Rotary Club of Granada and the local people who want to participate. Since these are wood burning stoves, it will be combined with a reforestation project to renew the environment.
Garden project
Our 3rd project is a garden project initiated by Pat and Jane Feryn and ongoing for a year. The land is poor and divested of nutrients for other than subsistence crops. To convince the participants of changes possible, farmers were taken to organic farms for education and a local agronomist was hired on contract to work with the community. Garden tools, fencing, and supplies for worm compost boxes were purchased and constructed during our visit in October 2019. They have learned composting, both traditional and worm from cow manure which is abundant in the community, and have started to grow a variety of crops they have never grown before and have sold their first bags of rich compost commercially. More farmers have joined (17 now) and their gardens are flourishing. They are very proud of their accomplishments, have enriched their diets and soon their pocketbooks. They have formed cooperatives, are sharing with the village, and are planning the next stage which will be a nursery program from seed. You can see the pride in their faces as they show us their accomplishments and their increased hope for a better future.
They would now also like to invest in a corn mill so they do not have to travel 1 hour to have their corn ground in a nearby city and are willing to share in this cooperative venture.
Table Project
Twelve tables and a physio table were needed for the preschool daycare program started at the orphanage and their physio program for the disabled in the area also run at the orphanage. We purchased a bus last year to transport less fortunate children from the nearby communities (120) to a day program where they are given breakfast and lunch, medical needs are looked after, and they receive an education. New tables were needed for that endeavour and we were lucky to have an American couple as part of our team and he is a carpenter. Over the space of several days, he was able to build 12 tables and a physio table for the children to work and eat at. COMMIT purchased the materials and chairs. . Congratulations, Chip and Mary, for this vitally needed project.
COMMIT is helping to start a dental program (Dental Society of Stratford and area donated $1000) for this day program as well which we hope to have going in the next few weeks
Summary
We believe Rotary/COMMIT are making a significant difference within our own continent in one of the poorest countries in Central America and living up to the Rotary model of Service Above Self. We even got very positive coverage in the regional News Station and Newspaper (Canadians, Rotary, COMMIT do Medical Mission in Nicaragua). None of this would be possible without the help of the Rotary Club of Stratford and the Charitable Foundation, the International Committee, Rotary Club of Granada and Rotary International, Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos ( Edgar - coordinator and Marlon - National Director) of NPH which provide our infrastructure and generous help to support what we do, the local Alcaldia, our many translators and friends who also help and the hard working team that went down this year. Thank you abundantly.
Marie's view- blog
Jan. 31, 2020
Who amongst us does not cherish the thought of returning to our own space after a long hard day?Who amongst us does not crave our Personal Space?
This is the one aspect of the trip that always gives me pause.The lack of......
And yet, to my astonishment this anxiety dissipated almost immediately ..Even from the men’s dorm, explosive laughter could be heard, and they had to contend with each other’s Manly Nighttime Noises!!!!!
We have accomplished a great deal on this trip working IN PARTNERSHIP with the people of Nicaragua.It must however be stressed that the sometimes mad joy we experienced in seeing our work really make a difference [remember no hand-outs, only hand-ups], reflected the equally mad joy we felt for being with each other and succeeding in having such fun together under occasional very trying circumstances.
There must be countless motives for joining up for this sort of work; and I imagine that finding an organization that best suits an individual can be somewhat daunting.
This team was very fortunate to develop a camaraderie within a few days....which allowed us to have great fun, to laugh and be happy with each other and with what what we have been doing.
However we are none of us under any apprehension about ourselves.
We know what we have done is not common, but clearly we have not suffered great deprivations ourselves!Yes , it involves sacrifices in terms of younger people giving up their holidays to do it, and of course there are financial considerations for all of us.
But we benefit greatly personally from the experience, and I think today we come home feeling really happy that we have worked so very hard, both physically and mentally. We know we have partnered with Nicaraguans dedicated to the betterment of their people through education, public health, farming ,sewing and much more.
The Nicas love their country and their people, and they show great willingnessto help each other.
It must be said that we had a local government representative with us for many of our visits to the communities, and he showed us clearly that the community needs were being noted. In fact we are in partnership with local government for many of our projects
We know that we have been members of an extraordinary team who have worked together to develop a highly effective working relationship and affection for each other
But without a strong and extremely dedicated leadership we as a team could not exist.
Doug and Janice are a formidable pair.
Their individual personal strengths , along with their individual personalities, serve to benefit every aspect of the Organization .
They have initiated real changes in establishing hope and pride in the people here.
Through their persistent interest and engagement with various rural communities ( going back over 8 years)they have formed deep, trusting relationships and it is obvious that many of them have been inspired to take the help and move onwards with it to a level already yielding thrilling results.
And Edgar, our Coordinator must also be acknowledged.
With his knowledge of the communities we target, and his integrity, and,again,deep love for his people we have been able to function as a well-oiled machine.
Also we thank Eva, Emily and Gracie who looked after us so well at home, and the wonderful and fun Translators, none of whom we could have been without.
That’s it for now Folks.
Hasta el año que viene!
Máire Leddy
Physiotherapy Mat for NPH
Jan. 30, 2020
The temperature in Nandaime today was 31 C. Probability of precipitation – you’re kidding, right?
As is appropriate, Camellia, Mark and Mike have nearly the last word. Our plan is to leave NPH no later than 3:00 am to head to the airport for our 6:20 am flight. It has been an amazing two weeks filled with hard work, fun and the chance to meet some great people.
We had the privilege today to move Chip’s tables into the kindergarten space. They look great and the kids will love them. We wonder if they will be as unblemished when we see them next year. We moved the new physiotherapy table into the therapy area. We immediately were able to watch a young child being treated on it.
After a leisurely morning gathering clean laundry and packing we headed to Nandaime to deliver donated supplies and equipment to the hospital. An ECG machine donated by the Children’s Hospital in Ottawa and a defibrillator donated by St. Thomas Elgin Hospital were delivered. Mike had the opportunity to have pictures taken with hospital officials, which will be shared with the donors.
We found a hole in the wall bakery by the hospital. We definitely improved their sales for the day after we raided their amazing baked goods.
We then went to the Maternity House to deliver sewing supplies and clothing. We had a very informative tour of the facility. We were impressed with the wonderful care they provide to expectant mothers. We then headed back to NPH for a nice surprise; peanut butter sandwiches for lunch. The rest of the afternoon was spent in paradise for one more day.
Four dogs and the stupid house cat were caught and given their rabies vaccine. We are waiting to see who LaLa the cat punishes tonight for this abuse. Eilis had a crash course in veterinary medicine when she gave her first canine injection.
Since we had not sweated enough several team members went to the cement sports pad with a rubber ball and several hockey sticks (all left handed for some reason). Before you knew it, several kids had joined us. They ran us into the ground. Eilis got back at one speedster when she crosschecked him into the boards. She says it was an accident.
At supper tonight we were joined by four Dutch health professionals; one dentist, one hygienist, and two dental assistants. They have set up a clinic at NPH and will be here for the next two weeks.
Thank you Janice for doing our pre-flight check-in.
Women of Nandarola with their donated bread.
Blog Jan 29, 2020
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Today it reached 31 degrees. We loaded up the bus with hotdogs, games, prizes, popcorn and best of all a piñata! A group of 5 women from PAN Mission joined us for the trip. They are a church group that does a large Sewing Mission in Managua and wanted to look at our farm operation. Then off to Nandarola. we bumped over the potholes and through the river much to the dismay of our Pan Mission friends. When we arrived about an hour later, the community center became the focus of lots of activities and the road became full of parents and children including little girls in fancy dresses, joined by a pig and numerous dogs. Our team bustled to set up tents , organize games and contests, and display a table full of toys and organize a table for face painting. Eager children swarmed to be involved in the action, especially Camilla’s face painting with help from Mary. Little brown faces became tigers, flowers and butterflies! Janice, Heather and one of the ladies from the community designed very popular balloon dogs. Some of the older children played musical chairs with Makayla and Eilis played Spanish children’s songs.
In spite of the sweltering heat there were no complaints due to the exciting soccer game going on in the field. Then there was some golf, some ball hockey (Mike and David coaching) and dodge ball; enough to make everyone smile. Aman and Eilis divided everyone into teams and turned their doctor and nursing hats into coaching hats for soccer. Naomi was playing Frisbee with a little boy and threw the Frisbee onto the roof of the shelter where no one could reach it! Even though David and Naomi could not get it, a boy was able to climb up onto the roof to rescue the Frisbee. Doug set up a badminton court which was used all day. Jo-Anne and Mark had an exciting bean bag toss (bags made by Jo-Anne) with the Nicaraguans and the Avengers.
Everyone was happy with the best hot dogs ever for lunch! The buns, over 400 deliciously baked by the women of the community, were a perfect match for the hot dogs that were cooked on a very smoky stove across the road from the community center. After everyone got a hot dog (approximately 250), we put peanut butter on the remaining buns and finally the long line dissipated.
Bright green, red and purple jerseys had been donated and the children loved them. The teams played two extremely competitive games of world class soccer! When a goal was scored everyone cheered like it was the World Cup!
The cherry on top of the day was the Paw Patrol piñata! As well as trying to hit the piñata the kids would dance with the stick and entertain everyone. There were a few tense moments with the stick getting close to some bodies. The day wrapped up around 4:30 and we came back to the Casa and Ava’s fabulous cuisine (steak, Spanish rice, fried plantains, tortilla chips , salad and chocolate cake)!
Tiger, Anonymous and River (the TAR baby)
Blog Jan 28,2020
Today’s temperature here in Nicaragua was a breeze-less 31 degrees. Some of us have yet to have one mosquito bite, others have been not so lucky.
Today we ventured off to San Luis to check on the sewing project, deliver school supplies and do crafts with the 20 children ages 3-13. We were able to bring 4 sewing machines to the ladies of San Luis that are working on creating bags and aprons to use and sell. As soon as they picked up the yarn and crochet hooks the material took shape.
Children gathered around the craft tables digging through boxes of beads, art paint, and board games. Chess was a hit! The children’s art was remarkable, they sketched and painted faces, hands, flowers and more.
Some of the ladies made a road trip in the back of a pick-up truck to Rivas to pick up some supplies for our upcoming Carnival Day (tomorrow). They were also able to buy some chicken wire for a sponsored family to fence their chickens.
Mary helped Chip finish painting the 12 children’s tables which are now ready for delivery to the NPH School. Beautiful work Chip!
In the afternoon, after we returned to NPH some of the team met with company representatives from Ecofongon, who are suppliers of the eco-friendly stoves we have been testing in some homes. We hope to gain grant support from Rotary International for the stove project.
This evening we have started packing up some medications and other hospital materials to donate to the Nandaime Hospital, with which we have been collaborating. As well as preparing some games and activities for tomorrows Carnival, including the Piñata!
Cheers Chip, Eilis, Heather.
Blog January 27, 2020
January 27th Rio de Medina
Nicaragua weather today......It was a stifling 31 degrees this morning with very little breeze.
We set up our clinic rather effectively and with a great degree of independence awaiting the onslaught that was forthcoming. We had to do all this setup without our “Go to guy” Larry who was ill. You were missed Larry; most notably by Camellia who had to set up the latrines in his absence.
Even though Bev and Pilo ran out of men’s running shoes, the people from the village were immensely grateful to them and blessed them several times.
Mike the self-proclaimed Ophthalmologist ran out of reading glasses while Mary was left with only a few sunglasses. Mary, our proud American friend, was also caught putting up our large Canadian flag.
We had our last round table meeting after another delicious dinner and dessert by Ava. It was a little bittersweet because we had to say goodbye to many of our amazing Nicaraguan translators. Jimmy said it best when he stated how important it is for the people in Nicaragua to see groups such as COMMIT come to their country out of love and respect for their fellow human beings. He was confident that this would have a lasting impact on the people that we met. We think that sums up exactly what this trip was all about!
We estimate we saw 269 patients today some travelling from as far as 20 miles away and from 3 different communities. The entire COMMIT team really came through to provide good care to our Nicaraguan friends.
Doug, Aman and Jo-Anne
This was to be our last clinic day. We went to Nandaime Hospital to pick up the Nicaraguan staff ( doctors, nurses, translators) and then headed off on relatively well paved roads to the school in Rio de Medina. Several of us had panicked looks on our faces when we saw the incredible line of people waiting for us when our bus stopped in Rio de Medina.
The pharmacy’s first patient was an unfriendly scorpion who unfortunately did not fill his script before his demise. As the day progressed we ran out of registration papers but Edgar once again came to the rescue and gave us pages from his journal to use.
This was the first clinic where the nurses, dentist, doctors and pharmacy were in the same building and it showed. One thing is for certain the lung capacity of Nicaraguan children is second to none. I’m sure the 45 tooth extractions done by the dentist with Janice assisting didn’t help the volume in the clinic.
David gave out 4 hearing aids today which made a dramatic difference not only in their hearing but in their entire demeanor. Special thanks to Shelly and Shari who donated 29 hearing aids through the Hearing Center of Stratford. We also want to acknowledge and thank the Rotary Club of Stratford Charitable Foundation who make this trip financially possible.
Also thanks to GoTech and Dan and Dennis for the donation of two laptops which were given to our young Nicaraguan Doctors Maria and Judy who worked so tirelessly for us through our 6 clinics. Hard to believe that most people in Nicaragua do not have computers in this day and age and they were very grateful.
Jan. 26, 2020
Blog January 24, 2020
It started with the loading of a 40-foot container with medical aid equipment in Stratford, Ontario and today we got the opportunity to present a much-needed wheelchair to a 10-year-old cerebral palsy child. Milagro is cared for by her mom Angela who has been boarding the bus three times a week with Milagro in her arms then carrying her to physiotherapy treatments. COMMIT became aware of the situation and was able to source out the wheelchair and essential food blender and feeding tubes thanks to Mike, the team member who can find anything. Angela was very grateful for the items which will make her life easier and Milagro much more comfortable. As we drove away mom was easily wheeling her daughter back to the house.
Earlier in the day we visited the beehives previously provided by COMMIT and now operating on the NPH property. The bees are producing honey and NPH hopes to create a profitable business. We were privileged to be served French toast at breakfast along with honey from the very hives we visited.
Casa Azul where we are staying was a former NPH orphanage but the children are now located in an orphanage on the mainland. So in hopes of generating revenue, NPH is working on turning the property into a resort. They have done a lot of hard work to upgrade the property and it is starting to look beautiful. We were able to offer some gentle constructive ideas to improve the service and facilities for future guests. All of us plan to tell our friends and relatives about Casa Azule where they can enjoy a peaceful stay with lots of fun things to do nearby and in the process help NPH to make a profit and support their children.
At the end of the day we boarded our ferry at Myagalpo for the return ride to the mainland. It was dusk as we pulled out of the port, affording us a beautiful view of Ometepe’s two volcanoes. We returned to our home base at Casa Santa Madre Theresa, tired but grateful for the opportunity to help.
Blog January 24, 2020
Today’s temperature was 30 Celsius in Ojo de Agua.
This update of the blog is brought to you once again by the lovely Camellia and, as she lovingly calls us, Mike and Mark, her two grumpy old men.
We learned today that the English translation of Ojo de Agua is “Village on top of a high hill that the bus cannot reach”. As we climbed the hill we found out the villagers had done a thorough cleanup by burning their garbage. It fondly reminded us of Hamilton on a hot, summer day. Janice and Camellia self medicated with their salbutamol puffers. Happily the fires were put out and the clinic opened up quickly.
The pharmacy staff has figured out the flow and how to handle it very well. We had a 15 day old infant and a 97 year old woman. We were careful not to get their prescriptions mixed up. The doctors and nurses have been very helpful with their orders as our inventory is rapidly reducing.
We found another candidate for the ugliest dog contest. This poor canine had had his snout almost cut off by his owner’s machete.
Mike and Mary with Darish as their translator once again managed the eye and sun glass clinic. Mike had the pleasure of fitting the 97 year old woman with her first pair of glasses. Mary doubled her duties by acting as a babysitter. She took care of our youngest patient of the day.
Camellia has been teaching first aid to the villagers. The original idea was to teach the course to five participants selected by the community leaders. In Nandarola the class size tripled with many of the mothers and their infants and small children. They were there to learn about airway obstruction and its management. The women were eager to learn about this simple but life saving response to a relatively common occurrence.
The teenage boys were particularly engaged in the first aid course. They were enthralled as they watched the demonstrated techniques. The boys completed the bandaging with an impressive attention to detail.
With every course Camellia always asked for emergency situations that they have personally experienced. One of the participants brought up the case of a seven year old girl impaling her abdomen on a sharp branch. Due to a lack of training their first response was to remove the embedded object to a deadly result. With tears in our eyes we discussed what the results could have been using recommended techniques for the management of embedded objects and shock.
Participants have an opportunity to ask questions. These included the handling of dog, monkey, snake and scorpion bites. A lot of things in Nicaragua can kill you. This included the 5.5 magnitude earthquake that we barely noticed on our bumpy bus ride home.
The class has been evolving as we travel to each new community. Camellia took into account the distance to hospital and available resources. Environmental issues also have to play a part. There was a range of ages from ten to sixty years old bringing a different energy to each class. The hope is that they will be able to safely apply these techniques in the future.
At the end of a very hot day two of our intrepid teammates decided to hike ahead to get some “fresh” air. We thought they had turned the wrong way and were just about to turn the bus around to look for them in the wilds of Nicaragua. We finally caught up to them at the top of a very steep hill. Everyone on the hot bus was relieved to find the explorers.
Casa de Piedra
Blog Jan 22, 2020
Thursday January 23, 2020
After another early morning wakeup and breakfast, the team bus meandered through the Nicaraguan countryside to the village of Casa de Piedra (House of Stone). The team was surprised and thrilled by the welcome from the community as our bus approached the school. The children were holding neatly painted signs reading “Welcome to Our Community”.
I am a video camera from the National Nicaraguan News. Oh, so there is this tall man with thinning white hair who looks like the boss, so I decided to interview him. His name is Doug. He told me what the COMMIT Team is doing here in Nicaragua and its purpose and vision. Now I will zoom in on a clinic patient who is smiling after receiving a new walker. She wears a colourful dress and talks about her story of pulmonary fibrosis which causes difficulty breathing. Dr Maire is listening with her stethoscope. Beside her 2 other doctors are attending their patients with our Spanish translators.. And then Mark the pharmacist comes marching in to clarify one, of many, drug orders. Next door Joanne’s lovely voice can be heard coaxing the young children to take their deworming medication. David is practicing his Spanish with the unsuspecting patients. Now we roll on to the dentist who is in the middle of extracting a tooth, while Janice is mopping his sweating forehead. Next we go to Mike the optometrist. His main challenge is helping the patient find the right strength (and more importantly, to the patient, is style of which Mike has no clue, but they can now read the small print). In the building next door, 4 nurses are triaging patients. Camelia is listening to the heart rate of a screaming child while Heather is weighing a baby and Eilis is checking another patient’s blood pressure and Naomi frantically looking for her translator who has disappeared. Overall the clinic looked very organized. Now we zoom onto the lab, shoe station, registration and taking in the cutest kids you have ever seen. This is surely my finest hour as a TV video camera. I have decided to show this on national television this evening.
The people who came to clinic waited patiently and were very appreciative of our services. By 1:45 the clinic was finished. We had the rest of the afternoon to visit the beautiful Catalina Laguna de Apollo. This is a water filled volcanic crater with beautiful vistas, restaurants and souvenir shops. As a beautiful sunset filled the horizon we headed back to NPH for another delicious (me mucho gusto) dinner, a team meeting, catching up with friends and family in Canada and the US, and preparing for tomorrow’s clinic.
Mary, Naomi, and David
Blog Jan 22, 2020
Today we took a break from hosting the medical clinic for our first “work day” in a remote village called Nandarola. We all got to sleep in a bit before Ava spoiled us with another amazing breakfast. We hopped on the bus once again, for the one hour trek on bumpy roads, through a river bed and sugar cane fields. On the way we get a picturesque view of the volcanos, baby goats and blue skies. The purpose of the work day was to check in on some of the amazing projects Commit has started with the community as well as run some classes and activities for the children, parents and teachers.
First stop was at an elderly ladies home who Janice had heard was very sick and in need of a wheel chair. The docs were happy to supply the lady with a new wheelchair to help her mobility.
Second stop was at one of the Farms that the Commit crew had started projects in October lead by Pat, Jane and Tessa Feryn, and kept running by Jimmy a very passionate NPH team member/community member. We were so happy to see the pride, the dedication and the hope of the farmers as they showed us around the farm but even more inspired by the hard work we were about to witness. About half the team volunteered to work with the farmers to move the compost, which has been carefully prepared with cow manure and worms before being recycled into fertilizer. The compost piles lay 5ft wide by 2.5 ft deep in soil that was as hard as clay, and the task was to empty the compost pit, mix it and relay it while watering each layer. Everything was done by the hands of men and women in the Nicaraguan heat. Afterwards Larry joked about getting some extra strength Advil for his sore back.
Last stop was at the community centre and school where some of the team set up CPR class, Music Lessons, and Kids games. Open invite to CPR training turned out a fun group of Moms, Teachers and children who had a great time learning from Camellia and Larry what to do in emergency situations in rural Nicaragua. School Break in Nicaragua runs from December to beginning of February which means there are lots of kids out and about ready for some activities. Bev lead music lessons for some of the Teachers, equipped with a handful of recorders and they learned some basic timing, note reading, rhythm clapping and singing songs. Bev describes music as a “universal language” and was very happy to share her talents with the community.
The remainder of the Commit crew was off to follow up on the Stove Project, welcomed into each home, we were able to see how each family had benefited from their new stove. One elderly lady described some improvement in her chronic cough! We were lucky enough to see some of them in action and ask the residents about maintenance, possible improvements and learn the impact these stoves have had on their daily life.
On the way home Mike forgot to strap in the tables to the roof of the bus and naturally they came flying off in the middle of the road, the team quickly strapped them back up and we were back on track. As per usual we stopped at the grocery store, similar but a little smaller than the ones we see at home. Janice and Doug have us well taken care of getting groceries and gas for all of our adventures, prices are similar to home at about 1.25$ CAN/Litre.
We returned home to hear that Chip and Joel had built 12 tables, each made from rough sawn lumber from a saw mill ready to be varnished over the next few days. Next project is a specialized physical therapy table! We will be very excited to provide these tables to the children here at NPH.
Ava outdid herself tonight (once again) with plenty of food for everyone and as an extra special night, we had a desert called Yuca as well as Hibiscus juice made from a red flower grown here in Nicaragua. Every night team members are assigned tasks including writing the blog, washing dishes, prepping peanut butter sandwiches for the next day, making room for hanging hammocks, and drinking Edgar’s tasty smoothies!
Tomorrow we are off to Casa De Piedra!
Jan. 21, 2020
Blog January 21, 2020
As soon as Mark and Mike finished the breakfast dishes we let them out of the kitchen and began our day. We again loaded the bus with everything needed for our day in La Vigia. Thus we began our 1 hour trip which crossed over a river when our bus magically transformed into a boat.
The local community enthusiastically helped us unload the supplies for the day...even the heavy bags on top of the bus. Before long we started to resemble a mobile clinic. Toys for the children were put on tables in the school yard. No arguments or competition for puzzles, legos and dolls were heard as children instinctively cooperated together. Also happening in the schoolyard was an impromptu soccer game in which Dave and Mark struggled in the heat to keep up with children much younger than them. Makayla, Aman, and Naomi tried their soccer skills later in the day. to similar "success".
After a few practice clinic days, collectively as a team we were able to establish an efficient delivery of care.
A high lite of the day was when an 80 year woman received a new walker and shoes. The change in her demeanor and gait was remarkable.
As in previous clinic days people were triaged, through the nursing stations, lab, eye clinic, seen by physicians and had prescriptions filled in the pharmacy. If the patients were over 65 or diabetic they received a new pair of Adidas shoes.
In the words of Larry the Gopher, " we were a well oiled machine!". Maire, one of our physicians, was shocked to learn that somebody (Maria-local doctor) actually asked for her advice. Congratulations Maire! A quote from Naomi suggested that the village of La Vigia has the cutest children. And there were a lot of children! Just ask Janice because she insisted on holding every one of them. Jo-Anne received a hug from a little girl after receiving her medication in a spoon of jam after an unsuccessful attempt at giving her a "high five".
The day wasn't without it's hazards and near misses though. Crisis was averted with a small fire erupting near Mikayla and her lab station and wasps were threatening Bev in the shoe department. At one time Doug stood up and impaled himself on a nail on his head. Good thing his tetanus shot is up to date.
Kudos to Chip and Joel for constructing three out of twelve child size table for the new kindergarten program at NPH
Cheers to Eilis and Heather for keeping the nurses station under control.
Amazing work by Camellia on her first Aid course and Mary distributing Sunglasses to everyone. Great Job!
Also it was a sad day for Mike as this was the final day of his BFF Xochitl (Former NPH student now translator). Good Luck Xochitl!
The bus was loaded at the end of the day and we drove to Nandarola for a short visit to witness a local entrepreneurial project. See Doug's post for further info.
Submitted by Aman and Jo-Anne
Blog Jan 21, 2020
Blog Jan 21, 2020
Six o’clock arrived early on this our third day of medical mission in the community. Each mission proves to be a challenge as you arrive not knowing who will turn up or what space and configuration we can use . We have a brainstorming in evening after each Mission to discuss as a team how we could flow better and how to correct problems. Even after 10 years of Mission you can never get it right and part of the excitement is the problem solving that has to occur. At any rate today we gave it our best effort and things went very smoothly as we visited the village of Vagia.. We saw over 110 patients and flow went well and there were no bottlenecks. More over we were able to mentor the two young Nicaragua doctors who were working with us and we were very pleased with the service we all provided to the people. The unexpected were some smoldering fires in the school yard that with a sudden wind erupted into fire about 3 ft from Mikala’s lab station and the wasp’s nest hovering menacingly above Bev’s shoe station which we decided was best left alone.. Another day in paradise.
I had a meeting with the leaders in the community to talk about the Well Project and Water Committee. They had their Water Committee in place and properly structured and were anxious that we should proceed. Vagia has no reliable source of clean water and has to depend on water delivered from a truck 2x per week so you can imagine how it has to be rationed. The meeting was productive and lots of information was dispensed and questions answered. It is such a privilege to be able to serve such a deserving community.
We then travelled to Nandarola a community we have worked in for almost 10 years. Since we were running late we thought we would just check briefly on our Garden project. What a surprise when on arriving at the Community center in Nandarola ten of our farmers came out and piled onto the bus faces beaming. They took us out to one of their gardens where they showed us the composting and especially their worm box fertilizer production , irrigation endeavours and ultimately the new and wonderful crops they were growing. They had a Papaya tree 8 ft tall with fruit(in just 3 months), passion fruit, lemon trees and in other gardens melons , tomatoes’ and many different fruits they had never grown before. They were certainly proud at what they had accomplished and thanked us for the chance to improve their lives not to mention their health. Thank you Jane , Pat and Tess Feryn for being so instrumental in starting this project,. They also send their heartfelt hello and thanks to their 3 amigos . And thank you Jimmy our contracted agronomist for working so diligently with them. It really has revolutionized their lives. Janice and I were quite moved by the experience. It surpassed our expectations and we have a lot of people to thank for that.
At the round table that evening i think the team was feeling also very proud of how they were helping these remarkable people.
Best Doug
Jan. 20, 2020
Blog January 20, 2020
The day started off as usual in Nicaragua – sunny and very early. There was another disturbance in Room 7 where the girls were awakened at 2 a.m. by Lala the cat who had been locked outside and wanted into the casa. After five minutes of calling her, Lala made her way to another window which had a hole in the screen and in she came. Up at 6 a.m. for loading the bus at 6:30 a.m. for our day in San Luis. We left the Casa by 7:30 a.m. to pick up a dentist, translators and doctors in Nandaime for a total entourage of approximately 35 people. The road to San Luis is dusty, narrow, winding and has a lot of potholes. But, the view from the bus is beautiful with forests close to the road and farming operations along the way. Mount Mombachu is always in view. Today we were lucky and didn’t meet any other big trucks coming our way on the narrow road.
When we arrived in San Luis there was the usual chaos to decide set-up planning. But once that was decided upon, we set about to clean up the classrooms of the school which were turned into clinic spaces. We were under way to see the first patients in about 15 minutes. The patient’s first stop was at registration, then to triage and off to the lab if necessary. One different thing about today’s clinic was that shoes were distributed to diabetics and those 65 years and over only. The next station was “glasses”, where prescription glasses were provided by Mike, helping many young and old see much better. Sunglasses were an added bonus and many were delighted to receive a pair from Mary. Three people were fitted with hearing aids by David, making them smile from ear to ear. A big thank you goes out to the Hearing Centre Stratford and Sherri and Shelley. You have made a tremendous difference with a donation of 29 hearing aids. Next up were visits with a doctor, dentist and pharmacist as needed.
It was wonderful to see the little children having fun at the table full of toys where they played happily. One young child wondered over to Bev and cuddled up to her, not leaving for 20 minutes. The communication between the two happened easily and little Joselina spent much time playing with Bev’s nametag. There was an instant bond between the two.
Chip and Larry organized patient flow while keeping patients out of the sun. The temperature was 32C by 9 a.m. so staying in the shade was necessary. Jack-of-all trades, the two were helpful in keeping the team hydrated and being gophers in the best sense of the word, fetching whatever was needed. Larry made a lot of children happy with the colourful stickers he supplied them.
Makayla was kept busy at the lab pricking fingers and dipping urine. She thinks she was the best job in the clinic! In pharmacy, the strawberry jam was appreciated by the little ones because it made swallowing the bitter medicine easier.
It was a bonus today to have a dentist join the team. He was able to do a number of extractions, 6 in total, as well as some cleanings. The reason we only were able to do 6 extractions was because one of them took 2 hrs!!!!!!!!! The poor lady came with a very rotten tooth which proceeded to break into a number of pieces as Augusto laboured to pull the tooth. The roots had to be literally dug out of the bone and Augusto was sweating like crazy as Janice held the poor woman’s hand, stepped on the bottom of the chair to prevent it from tipping back with the brute force applied, all the while holding a flashlight so that he could see. When the dastardly deed was done both Augusto and Janice received a big hug from the lady and with thanks that the torture had finally come to an end, definitely not a nice thing to witness.
After backing up the bus with all our supplies, a team picture was taken with the Canadian flag in the background. It was then time to say goodbye to our friends in San Luis before heading back to Nandaime to drop off some of the team at the hospital. Arriving back at the Casa Santa Madre Theresa, we found our rooms had been cleaned, laundry folded and a hot dinner ready to eat. A shout out to Eva, Emily and Gracie. Overall, another successful day.
Many thanks to the Rotary Club of Stratford and all the other donaters for making this marvellous aid happening.
Best Bev, Naomi and Larry
Jan. 20, 2020
The very first thing that we did when we arrived in Granada was pay a visit to Tio Antonio’s. Up until a month ago we would have admired the hand made hammocks and handbags and would have purchased many to bring home as gifts. We would also have visited the small, enclosed cafe which is part of Tio Antonio’s.It was run by the deaf and used sign language to order your meal. Unfortunately, at the beginning of January a fire ravaged Tio Antonio’s. An electrical fire broke up at the back of the building and quickly spread. Fortunately the few people who were there, at night, were able to escape in their pyjamas and underwear. The cafe, infrastructure, materials for the handbags and hammocks were destroyed. The rooms at the back, which housed the employees, were ravaged. 18 trucks full of garbage was removed.
This disaster is much more significant for a special reason. Tio Antonio’s, you see, is a home and place of work, for deaf and mentally challenged youth in Granada and the surrounding areas. It offers a home where they live, and a place where they work. They produce the incredible handcrafts and staff the cafe. The menu at the cafe is pictured on the tables. To order you would point to whatever you wanted and your server would know what you wanted.
Tio Antonio, and the people of Granada, are committed to restructuring the building. It will likely take well in excess of $100,000 to rebuild the structure. Our team made a quick collection and we left $250 for Tio Antonio, but much, much more money is going to be required. If you would like to make a donation, please make a cheque payable to The Stratford Rotary Club Foundation. You can give it to any member of the COMMIT Team. You will receive an Income Tax receipt.
A disaster, but many committed people will re-create Tio Antonio’s so that it can provide outstanding service to the disadvantaged.
Blog- Sunday, January 19th
FREE DAY!!
In spite of a gruelling day on Saturday, we pulled ourselves out of bed early to go first to Granada, and then to a private island on the massive lake Managua.
Granada is a very colourful city on the shore of the Lake, and home to many Spanish landmarks, including the Cathedral, which dates form the fifteen hundreds.
Some of us toured the city while others of us attended a meeting with the Rotary Club of the city, and after 2 hours we set off down to the lake and embarked on novel experience for us as a team....R and R.
We had a most generous invitation from one of the Rotary members to use his island for the rest of the day.
Giddy with the sense of freedom, we loaded up like teenagers with pizza, beer, rum ,and off we went in a passenger boat to the island. We even had a Boom Box!
So after all the poverty we have seen, we now see the complete antithesis.
Lake Nicaragua has probably hundreds of islands, small enough to allow one house comfortably with pool and extensive gardens, as well as a house and guest quarters.
We took no time at all adjusting to a lifestyle most of us could never aspire to....swimming in the pool or the deliciously warm waters of the lake.And even a bit of dancing fun under the blazing sun.
We started our return journey at 4: 30pm, and as I write this, we are packing up for the clinic tomorrow.
My own anecdote regarding the clinic yesterday is as follows....but just a little background information:
Doug, Aman and I are the docs.
Doug and I are on the far side of the life expectancy scale; Aman not so much.
Added to which ,he just stepped off the set of Grey’s Anatomy...[ he’ll kill me for this!!]
Anyway, after a break, Doug asked me to relieve him.
He was just starting a new case, the [female] patient hadn’t even sat down.
When she saw that Aman was leaving and this Old Crone replacing him, she muttered to her friend, not realizing I speak some Spanish “ QUÉ MAL SUERTE! “ .......What LOUSY luck!
There we go folks...., never think that 3rd worlders don’t have high expectations!!
Máire Leddy
Jan. 18, 2020
Blog January 18th, 2020
Mark, Mike and the lovely Camellia are producing this account of our clinic day in La Flor. Our day started far too early (at 0400 hours). After a quick breakfast we loaded the flatbed truck and the SUV for the two hour plus trip by “road”. Jo-Anne and Mark quickly set up the pharmacy area at the far end of the local school house. After a brief lull the patients started to arrive in large numbers; larger than our packed inventory had anticipated. Halfway through the day David and Doug stepped in to help the dispensing work They were lifesavers. Jo-Anne tried her hardest to convince the toddlers to take their worm medication crushed in peanut butter. She was mostly successful. Mike had an equally interesting experience at his eye centre.
In the reading and sun glasses clinic, Mike and Jimmy (translator) had a very busy day seeing a steady flow of patients. Each patient was given a Spanish reading test to assess the need for glasses. Approximately 200 patients of all ages were fitted with reading and prescription glasses. We also handed out more than 200 pairs of sun glasses. It was so gratifying to see patients of all ages so happy they could see better again. One young 12 year old girl was having difficulty in school and very unhappy because of her sight issues. Once she was fitted with her new glasses, she teared up with happiness because she could read clearly again. Made our day and overall we had a wonderful and gratifying experience.
In the next building over, Camellia taught first aid to designated participants from various villages with the help of translators Jimmy and Edgar. The class size doubled last minute but a couple extra chairs and we were all set! The ladies in the class were very receptive, asking questions and participating intently. However there were some confused looks when she had them go out and hunt for sticks to use for fracture immobilization. The students were provided with first aid kits to keep in an accessible area. La Flor school was stocked with extra supplies to replenish the kits.
Amongst blowing registration papers, a shoe bazaar and some mild whiplash from a Nicaraguan truck ride, our team persevered and was able to provide assistance to over 300 people today.
Mark would like to offer some observations on today’s clinic. The offer of the free Adidias shoes to the clinic visitors really spiked our attendance. And while they were there they wanted to have a visit to the doctor and then to the pharmacy. The dogs in Nicaragua still qualify as being the ugliest canines in the Western hemisphere.
blog January 16 and 17th
A 5am wakeup for some of us began our trek to Nicaragua. The group from London made a sleek approach via VIA and the UP to Pearson. The Stratford group car pooled while Tessa Feryn drove her gigantic pickup and delivered 50 lb hockey bags to Pearson. Within the hour the bags were checked in and we were all ready to go through security, even the golf balls that everyone brought for the Nicaraguan / NPH Open. Meanwhile, deep to the south, Raleigh NC to be specific, Chip and Mary Honsinger boarded a flight for Miami. After a 5 hour wait in Miami, they then headed for Nicaragua to meet the rest of the team at the Managuan Airport.
Miraculously, because of Doug’s and Janice’s due diligence, the paperwork was complete and we were able to sail through Nicaragua customs with our 20 X 50lb hockey bags. The only glitch was that the ECG machine that Doug was bringing somehow got lost. (It was found late on Friday afternoon.) 90 minutes later we arrived at NPH, our home for the next 15 days. It was after midnight when our group finally fell into bed, completely exhausted. Friday morning came around quickly, with the men leading charge and getting up at the crazy hour of 7am. After breakfast we all split up to organize shoes, school supplies, soap, toothpaste and untold other things to be brought to the villages of Nandarola, San Luis and La Flor, as well as NPH. Doug, Aman and Janice drove to the Nandaime hospital, about 15 km away, and met with the Director of the Hospital and went over details for the medical clinics that we will be running in the next 2 weeks. An awesome lunch of chicken, beans and rice and deep fried plantain from our cook, Ava, was devoured by the hungry group.
Mike Rosser procured a vital signs monitor and set it up for Naomi and Camelia to ensure the machine is working. Everything went well, although some of us appeared to be a-systolic, but Camelia assured us that we were okay. Things are continually changing: several of our medications were not delivered so this required dome quick work by our pharmacist: Mark Edlund. We just found out that one of our translators for First Aid will not be at clinic tomorrow. We will deal with that: just another day in paradise as per Doug.
We are planning for a very early morning as La Flor is at least 2 hours away over very rough roads. Breakfast will be at 4:30 am. Several of us felt like we experienced jet lag today. Hopefully an early bedtime will make us refreshed.
Eilis was wakened at 3 this morning. The NPH cat (also known as Lulu) decided that since she was in the room with 4 ladies and the door was locked, Eilis pillow would be a good place to pee.
Chip, Doug and Edgar went to Nandaime to buy wood for chip to design and build 12 tables for children and a platform for physical therapy. Good that you are an engineer and carpenter, Chip!
Organization, logistics, and repeat were the order of the day. Mary, Maire, Heather and Naomi sorted through boxes and boxes and boxes. Very boring, but it has to be done. They also prepared toothpaste, toothbrushes and soap for an organized distribution to the villages we will visit.
This morning Bev was loading one of the boxes when 2 scorpions decided to appear. We were able to caputure one and release it into the surrounding bush. The second scorpion fooled us: we thought that he was dead, but when we were about to release him, he immediately became alive, producing a piercing scream courtesy of Makayla.
Today was a good general introduction to Nicaragua and NPH for the new members of our team. Tomorrow will bring a lot more surprises and promises to be interesting.
Naomi and David
Blog- January 14th
Our day yesterday brought us miles into a mixture of forest and jungle over roads which would have challenged the very best mountain biker.
We had our usual spot in the back of the truck and bumped along slowly for about an hour and a half to yet another very remote community.
San Luis is a community of 3 very small villages in an area of about 5 Square K, and unfortunately there have been tensions between them.
This was the explanation we got for the appearance of what once must have been a handsome structure built by ‘the Spaniards’ 20 years ago, but NEVER USED.
In its dilapidated form it now hosts the 3-monthly clinics they get.
So ,despite the requirements of a committee having been formed prior to our arrival, they initially presented as non-engaged and complacent, without of course any committee.
However, with the help of Edgar, our coordinator , and Terry, the government representative, we were able to convince them that they needed to pull together if they wanted a an upgrade to their present well, and the possibility of eco stoves, as well as more latrines.
We were very underwhelmed by the contrast between this village and the others we went to, but there did seem to be the dawning of an understanding that there would be no hand-outs to them, as well as signs of determination that they could do this.
They promised the whole community would meet within the next few days and a committee formed by the time we meet them again next week.
These people have a challenge ahead of them, and perhaps this is their First Step.
Unhappy and disappointed as we were on the long drive home, on reflection this morning, perhaps these are the very factors that will start them on the path of their own empowerment.
Stay tuned
Maire
Jan. 14, 2020
Blog- Monday, January 13th
This entry is late as we lost power last night and couldn't write or send anything. Suddenly the lights went out and that was it, total, complete blackness with no hydro. We stumbled off to try to shower with only the lights from our phones and were in bed by 8 pm. Unfortunately the fans also didn't work so it was quite warm but eventually we were able to fall asleep. Now to our day yesterday.
In preparation for a long day sitting in the back of the truck, Maire and I searched for something soft to sit on to absorb some of the bumps and jolts. We were unable to fit our little couch in so had to be satisfied with the cushions from it. Sitting in the back of the truck, racing along in the warm sunshine, we rode Nica styly, my favourite way to travel when I am here. As we climbed back into the truck, departing each village the locals were highly amused by these two locas mujeres that chose to sit in the sunshine. (Mad dogs and English men....)
Yesterday we visited four villages, one deep in the mountains and enjoyed marvelous scenery on our drive. We met with the village leaders in each village to discuss our plans to drill a well in their villages. Criteria for receiving a well is the formation of a water committee which must also include women. Each committee did have women on it but we were delighted to find that in the last village it also included a 17 year old girl who represented the youth. This really impressed us because including a young person, no less a woman, informed us of their dedication to self empowerment. As well the committe has to show that they have a fund of their own money to service any repairs and the cost of electricity in the future. This shows us that they recognize their own responsiblilty for the success of the project- it's a hand up, not a hand-out.
Most of the villages, other then Nandarola rely on either shallow dug wells for their drinking water or in some cases the river. These water sources are subject to interuption due to drought or contamination. It enforced our desire to provide them with a drilled well and thus clean, safe drinking water.
We were accompanied by our stalwart Edgar, our driver Pedro and our government representative Terry (engineer and architect). Unfortunately it got too late and we were unable to visit San Luis, but that's for another day.
Hasta Pronto
Maire and Janice
Saturday we did some sorting and arranging things here at the Casa and then headed off to my Godson Orland's house for a visit. I'm always amazed at how much the boys have grown since I last saw them, even in just a few months. They were very excited to share that the sow that Doug had purchased for them was expecting and just has another 3 months to go. This will provided the family with a much needed income as they will be able to sell the piglets. As we were standing there a big gust of wind took the roof of the pigpen off and when I felt the tin I realized it had seen many better days. It is soft and very rusty and everytime it is nailed on it is ripped off again by the wind. I promised them a sheet of metal to repair the roof and after a nice visit we headed for some much needed R & R in San Juan Del Sur.
Hasta Luega everyone
Blog, Saturday January 11th
blog, January 10th
Well after yesterday’s highs, came the lows.
Janice started the day in full Amazonian mode at 4.45am.
She did her exercises ,went for a run and then started sorting boxes...AGAIN.
One of the perplexing things in this sort of venture, is there is a huge amount of moving whole piles of boxes to one location, and then moving them again as the various loads get dispersed.
I luxuriated in bed until 7.45..... vehemently refusing to answer the early alarm set to go for my own run.
When I emerged from our room, Janice was in action, even as breakfast was being laid.
Very shortly after she and Edgar left for Managua for the government business, while I set about filling the First Aid Kits.
No small task, let me tell you.
And notwithstanding the 5-6 hours I toiled away, I STILL GOT IT WRONG!!.
Poor Janice had a typically gut-wrenching experience at the government offices, where they have all been to Harvard for Masters Degrees in Obfuscation.
Something about a few ticks where there should have been zeros, and sent home to correct.
The round trip is 3 hours and the ‘interview’ took 15 minutes!
So Janice and Edgar arrived in quite disheartened.
I had hoped there would have been all around delight at least to have accomplished something of importance .
[.....INCLUDING moving MORE boxes to yet another area]..
But La Jeffa ,Janice quickly ascertained that the bulging First Aid Kits were not packed appropriately, and her heart visibly sank.
This is a startling medical phenomenon not often witnessed by bystanders.
In this case, and thanks to my quite marvellous medical intuition, I was able to recognize what was happening. Unfortunately I was experiencing the same thing!
There was nothing for it but to empty out all the bags and start again.
Another 3 hours later we had the table cleared again.
Exhausted, but doggedly moving on poca a poca, we silently refused to stop.
We each grabbed our food, ate hurriedly and then carried on packing.
[ I know by now you must be all be DYING to come and help!]
I’m telling you...I consider myself the Queen of Sort and Purge......and we both have managed to ‘purge’ a most marvellous amount of highly anticipated and valuable medical supplies.
And there must be tons of shoes ,clothing and sewing supplies here too,,yet to be distributed.
I have to give a massive Shout-Out to Janice.
The work she is responsible for before the rest of the team comes down is nothing short of extraordinary, and I am quite in awe of what she, and Doug do.
Yes, so, our raised spirits of yesterday were rudely recalibrated today.
Are we daunted you ask?
NOT A CHANCE!
Delivery Beds for the hospitals
So with a much diminished man-power situation, Janice and I, along with Edgar and Bismarck loaded the truck to go to the fire station and the hospital in Rivas.
Jan and I were delighted to actually now have seating in the truck, when our trusty compañeros lifted a couch into the back of the truck for us to sit in.
This allowed us to imagine ourselves sunning on a somewhat bumpy boat ride, and truth be told we felt as if we were in the lap of luxury.
I prevailed on Janice to replace rap music to country and we sailed along , in the rain at first[!] and then whole-heartedly welcomed sunshine.
Our first stop was at the Bombadero Estación where we dropped off all the gear.
Delighted as they were, they were not shy about letting us know what else they needed....in the form of Jaws of Life and other such life -saving equipment.
They have to tell us right away, or they lose their opportunity.
You could see how thrilled they were with the acquisition of functional helmets boots and protective clothing.
We then went to the hospital where the minds of the OB/GYN staff were blown away with the Rolls Royce of L/D beds was delivered.
Janice will forward pictures of what they have been functioning with.
Almost impossible to imagine giving birth on such a table.
You can't say the same about the hospital and its staff though.
They seem very well -trained, confidant, grateful of course, but not feeling in any way inferior about their skills, or how they run their hospital.
We both felt the bed had found a place worthy of its uses, and at the same time, a staff that thoroughly deserved the advantage of something so valuable for the betterment of their patients and themselves.
And now...THE STAR of the DAY (even thought she and I are in contention about our musical preferences)...JANICE.
When the bed was installed ,she moved through that delivery room with ease and gentle confidence. She took command in a manner befitting someone totally dedicated to the well being of this community, while totally respecting those to whom she was demonstrating the total MAGIC of it. ( as an aside, she doesn't even have such a luxury herself in the hospital in which she works!)
She demonstrated the functions of THE BED, while one of the nurses videoed the whole thing.
There was no (as you would expect, but still needs to be remarked on) patronizing on her part, and she got a great round of applause after she had finished.
It was a wondrous thing to witness.
Maire
Blog January 8th, Day 2
Wow, another day has come to an end with so much accomplished in this beautiful country. We are so thankful for the support and help of NPH and Marlon their director who make all of our projects possible and assist with so many of our needs.
Our weather was around 30 degrees celcius but very windy so it was quite comfortable. Two trips were made to the Nandaime hospital with the back of the truck packed solid each time. I think that the first trip was the most special for me because on that truck was a maternity bed donated by Hill-rom- thanks Mike Rosser for sourcing that out, unbelievable. What a beautiful gift to the women in the area and to the doctors and nurses that work at the hospital. My quest to get a delivery bed for them started 8 years ago, the first time I was given a tour of the hospital. It was so humbling to see the bench with forceps attached to it that was their only form of a delivery bed. Many years of checking around for a bed for them brought no success and I was sad each time I visited the hospital. This year however things changed and we were able to give them this amazing gift. Some members of SOMOS the Nicaragua project had decided to go with us to help with the delivery and to help lift the 1000 pound bed safely off the truck. Thank goodness for the muscle that they provided and their enthusiasim for helping COMMIT with the delivery. The rest of their group stayed back at NPH to play sports with the children and spend time with them.
When we arrived in Nandaime we were met by the director and some of the staff who had cleaned the delivery room until it sparkled in anticipation of our arrival. Getting the bed off the truck had my heart pounding as they tried not to drop the heavy, awkward bed. It was pushed into the hospital with such pride and we all followed grinning from ear to ear, but...... when we arrived at the delivery building..... the bed was much too wide for the narrow door. Oh no, what could we do. We removed the mattresse and the bottom of the bed was slid down under the bed out of the way. The bed would have to go on its' side through the door and would require some strong people. Once again our muscle Tristan, Trevor and Darren went into action and with the help of some Nicaraguans the bed arrived safely in the delivery room. What a beautiful sight to behold. The nurses and doctors watched in wide eyed fascination as I showed them how to use the many buttons and functions on the bed, thanks Eliza for being the guinea pig and sitting on the bed for me. I was then asked to talk and I won't lie, I cried. It was a very emotional moment for all of us present and they were so very thankful and appreciative for this unimaginable gift that they have received.
After returning to NPH we said a sad goodbye to the 11 members of SOMOS the nicaragua project. They had been a huge help today and so.... much was accomplished thanks to them. We feel honoured to have met this amazing group of young adults and are happy for the new friends that we have made and the networking that has occurred. Till we meet again....
Till tomorrow everyone,
Buenos Noches
Janice
Jan. 7, 2020
Our first day- January 7th
Our team of two arrived safe and sound in Nicaragua last evening. Our flight went smoothly with no flight cancellations or any complications. We even got through customs in Managua without much hassle and settled into our home at NPH for the next 25 days.
The morning started later then we had anticipated with both of us needing a longer sleep. After breakfast we rolled up our sleeves and started the job of sorting through the 500 plus shipping container items packing the hallways of our casa. Everything seemed to have accumulated a layer of dust and before you knew it we were both filthy.
Doctor Silvia, the doctor who cares for the children of NPH came to pick out medical supplies and equipment that was needed for her clinic. Wheelchairs, a crib, walkers, crutches, suture kits, bed sheets, etc were loaded up into the big truck and brought to the clinic along with one of the examination tables- thanks Mike for that amazing fine.
Afterwards we started sorting supplies for Nandaime hospital. As we were sorting a group from the USA arrived to spend today and tomorrow with the children from NPH. The group is called SOMOS and empowers children through sports. They have did amazing work with children here and in other Latin American countries.
They were an amazing help to us too as the strong young men helped load up the truck again with bedside tables, overbed tables, two examination tables, cribs wheelchairs and walkers Two team members came along for the ride, Tristen who works for Bayer and Eliza who is a registered nurse. Riding Nica style in the back of the truck was a highlight for all. We were very thankful for more strong arms to help unload in Nandaime.
Tomorrow we plan to bring the maternity bed and more supplies with their entire team coming along to help and also get a tour of the hospital. What a great opportunity being able to meet this group of very enthusiastic young adults.
Buenos noches
Janice
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