Wednesday and Thursday

To witness something as profound as the poverty in Nicaragua and not share the need with others would be a crime. Today when I visited the children on our morning walk I asked them what they would like for me to bring them the next time I come. I was amazed at what they asked for. They want clothes, shirts, shorts and dresses, shoes, crayons, and they love the books we bring. That’s all they asked for! These are the simplest of needs and so easy for us to fulfill. So, the next time I come down my bags are not going to be filled with toys but with the things the children need. I guess it’s hard to find pleasure in things when the most basic needs aren’t being met.

I think Tosha and Natalie are on overload now, there’s been a lot to take in. Please remember to be thankful for everything you have!

LaTosha:

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Today, was a laid back day at clinical, the last few patient received their surgery. Everyone is doing great. Thank God!!!!! I have experienced more in these 8 days than I have ever experienced in my life. I cannot explain in words what I have seen. We visited a landfill, but to give out things we collected for the people there. It was closed for the day, but we went to a nearby neighborhood that they live in. When they saw us coming they surrounded us. It was men, women and kids. I was so amazed and saddened at what I saw. The need here is great, but the help and supplies are scarce. We were swarmed by children and adults. They just wanted whatever we had to give. It was not enough. It was very heart-breaking. I think even if we had more things, it still would not be enough. So, what do you do? I do know I cannot walk away and forget about what I have seen, heard and felt. I plan to do all I can to make people back at home aware that there is more out there besides what you see. It is what you don’t see that is just as important as what you do see. I am so grateful and humbled by my experiences in Nicaragua. I know that I have learned more here than I have ever been taught in the classroom. I think that life experiences are just as important as the classroom. We need both!!!!!!


Natalie:
These last couple days have been so packed. We started our day out again at the hospital clinic. When we came to the clinic we found the entire hospital decorated with balloons, party streamers. A small drum band and processional led a celebration of the Patron Saint of Leon that day. People were carrying her statue everywhere while burning candles and incense in the HOSPITAL….. I did not feel like I was in a hospital, but more like a party. Our clinic was lighter today, not quite as many patients. We had about 7 this morning. It has been very helpful to finally see some of the congenital diseases that we read about in textbooks. It has also been a wonderful experience to have so many different experts working and thinking together through the diagnosis process of each patient. There were representations from so many different disciplines such as nursing, heart surgeons, scrub nurses, pediatric and adult sonographers, Pediatric Cardiologist, Adult Cardiologist, Nurse Anesthetists, and the list goes on. Each discipline is an important part in the entire picture.
I have learned so much about this beautiful country and myself. We went to pass out toys and clothes to some children that live near the trash dump. They were very, very poor. Words will never be able to explain the circumstances when we arrived there. I have learned so much about echo. I know I will never be the same again. I was so proud about all the things that I would be able to share with the people here in Nicaragua, not knowing how much that they would end up teaching me. I will never be the same again. I am taking back all the wonderful things I have learned here and will use them everyday wherever that may be.