Well......the day has come that we were all dreading. The day we leave. We're off to a sandy spot for a couple of days. Last night we had a wonderful time at the Rancho where we performed a rousing Hallelejah and a soulful mashup. We also watched a talented group of kids sing and dance. The teenage girls were particularily upset about saying goodbye to friends they had quickly bonded with.
On reflection this experience has been incredible. We often face new experiences with trepidation and this was no different. There were also concerns about how much impact we could make over such a short period. To Kirsten, Lauren and the teams credit, really solid connections were made with local physicians and community leaders. This tact will surely pave the way for more directed and fruitful missions in the future. The community really appreciated our efforts.
The coordination by Mark, Peter King and Colin were instrumental in our success.
Hopefully this trip has been life changing for the members of the group: New Friendships, New Connections, Lifelong Interests in Mission Work.
Over and out. Pete B.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Little Miracles
On our Wednesday clinic, we had a lady present in labour - 2 cm dialated. We found out today (through a follow up visit to the clinc in Las Brenas) that she gave birth to a baby girl on Saturday via c-section. She has yet to be named. Here is the beautiful little miracle!!!!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Ketchup day...mustard tomorrow Feb 19, 2013
Today started with a productive meeting early in the morning with Dr. Sylvia, the Doctora of the pequenos at the home. We were able to ask her many questions about the running of the clinic here at the home and also we were able to give her many medications and supplies that were needed for pequenos. She was able to share with us some of the work she and the therapists here do for some disabled children in sorrounding communities, through an organization called the "Good Samaritan". She was able to take Janice and Kirsten on a tour of her clinic, and introduced us to Evert, a paralyzed boy who unforunately right now is battling some nasty bedsores.
We then took the time to go through the assessment pails that we used during clinic. We figured out what we needed to gather for next year and started compiling a list. We also figured out what we were going to be taking to the hospital and community dr's tomorrow.
Lauren headed off to her meeting with the deaf child's family to see if they were receptive to the idea of obtaining schooling for their son. They are! Lauren has meetings arranged - hopefully everything goes according to plan.
Many members of the team enjoyed some much needed down time before lunch, which was an enjoyable meal with the pequenos.
After lunch, we were asked to do de-lousing treatments on 2 of the girls casas (houses). We were very glad we had the opportunity to do this, and it was quite fun to wash and style the girls hair and make them feel like princesses. Making it a very fun experience for the girls. It also gave us the opportunity to see the inside of the girls casa's (which are simple, but very spacious and clean).
We had the directors here for dinner and learned about their experiences in becoming involved with NPH. Some brainstorming was done on what we can do to gather needed supplies for some of the children here and what we need to bring for next year.
Overall, today was a good unwind/packup day. Our time here is coming to a close. What a time it has been!
.JPG)
Giving supplies to Dr. Sylvia for the NPH clinic
We then took the time to go through the assessment pails that we used during clinic. We figured out what we needed to gather for next year and started compiling a list. We also figured out what we were going to be taking to the hospital and community dr's tomorrow.
Lauren headed off to her meeting with the deaf child's family to see if they were receptive to the idea of obtaining schooling for their son. They are! Lauren has meetings arranged - hopefully everything goes according to plan.
Many members of the team enjoyed some much needed down time before lunch, which was an enjoyable meal with the pequenos.
After lunch, we were asked to do de-lousing treatments on 2 of the girls casas (houses). We were very glad we had the opportunity to do this, and it was quite fun to wash and style the girls hair and make them feel like princesses. Making it a very fun experience for the girls. It also gave us the opportunity to see the inside of the girls casa's (which are simple, but very spacious and clean).
homework time in the girls casa
time to do some hair!
Then we all headed back to the house to do paper work (some of us indulged in paperback work...haha). We had the directors here for dinner and learned about their experiences in becoming involved with NPH. Some brainstorming was done on what we can do to gather needed supplies for some of the children here and what we need to bring for next year.
Overall, today was a good unwind/packup day. Our time here is coming to a close. What a time it has been!
.JPG)
Preparing mentally for ziplining (yesterday)
Our WONDERFUL translators with Cathy and Donna (yesterday)
From Sherrie, Janna and Kirsten
Monday, February 18, 2013
shop till you drop
Hello All!
Today we enjoyed a day away at the Masaya handcraft market and surrounding shops. Many different and unique handmade items were there for perusing and purchasing. Since we went on Monday (instead of Saturday, as origially planned) the market was nice and quiet. After a morning of shopping (until we were quite literally dropping) we enjoyed a deightful meal at one of the restaurants at the market.
We loaded onto the busses after lunch and headed up to the ziplining course! What an amazing experience! For many of us, this was our first time ziplining. We found out that we have some daredevils in the group. Even some of our more "wonderful" people (as Peter would say) went ziplining. And if it weren't for Toyin, Freeda would've bowled over a tree! On the course, you could fly like a superman, with an instructor holding up your legs behind you. We could also hang upside down by our harnesses'.
After the ziplining, we took the jeeps up to the coffee plantation on Masaya Mountain (which is a semi-active volcano, in case you were wondering). The view below was BREATHTAKING! Fresh ground coffee was enjoyed by most (not me, for I detest coffee).
Finally, after an amazing day, it was time to pack ourselves and our new treasures onto the bus to head back to the orphanage, where we were welcomed back by our amazing cooks!
For supper, we enjoyed a delicious meal with our translators who helped us out during the clinics translating...obviously. Donna and Cathy presented our translators with gifts of gratitude after supper and we then enjoyed each other's company while playing games and got a great group photo.
After the translators cleared the building, we practiced our skit/song for the performance we have to make to the pequenos at the end of our time here, which is approaching much to quickly.
Tomorrow we look forward to meeting Dr. Silvia (the Dr. at NPH) and organizing and packing up the rest of the medication we have. Lauren will be going back to one of the clinics that we went to. There, she will be providing information to a family that has a son who is congenitally deaf. Hopefully, they will accept the information and we can help this little guy learn sign language! There is a tentative meeting set up with the director of the co-op for deaf and mute people in Granada. Others of us will be teaching english to the pequenos and handing out more school supplies.
Since it sounds like we have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow, I'd better get to sleep!
Here are some pictures before I sign off,
Janna DeWeerd
Today we enjoyed a day away at the Masaya handcraft market and surrounding shops. Many different and unique handmade items were there for perusing and purchasing. Since we went on Monday (instead of Saturday, as origially planned) the market was nice and quiet. After a morning of shopping (until we were quite literally dropping) we enjoyed a deightful meal at one of the restaurants at the market.
We loaded onto the busses after lunch and headed up to the ziplining course! What an amazing experience! For many of us, this was our first time ziplining. We found out that we have some daredevils in the group. Even some of our more "wonderful" people (as Peter would say) went ziplining. And if it weren't for Toyin, Freeda would've bowled over a tree! On the course, you could fly like a superman, with an instructor holding up your legs behind you. We could also hang upside down by our harnesses'.
After the ziplining, we took the jeeps up to the coffee plantation on Masaya Mountain (which is a semi-active volcano, in case you were wondering). The view below was BREATHTAKING! Fresh ground coffee was enjoyed by most (not me, for I detest coffee).
Finally, after an amazing day, it was time to pack ourselves and our new treasures onto the bus to head back to the orphanage, where we were welcomed back by our amazing cooks!
For supper, we enjoyed a delicious meal with our translators who helped us out during the clinics translating...obviously. Donna and Cathy presented our translators with gifts of gratitude after supper and we then enjoyed each other's company while playing games and got a great group photo.
After the translators cleared the building, we practiced our skit/song for the performance we have to make to the pequenos at the end of our time here, which is approaching much to quickly.
Tomorrow we look forward to meeting Dr. Silvia (the Dr. at NPH) and organizing and packing up the rest of the medication we have. Lauren will be going back to one of the clinics that we went to. There, she will be providing information to a family that has a son who is congenitally deaf. Hopefully, they will accept the information and we can help this little guy learn sign language! There is a tentative meeting set up with the director of the co-op for deaf and mute people in Granada. Others of us will be teaching english to the pequenos and handing out more school supplies.
Since it sounds like we have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow, I'd better get to sleep!
Here are some pictures before I sign off,
Sherry enjoying a smoothie at lunch
Shannon
John
Peter
Lauren
Freeda
Toyin
Maggie
View from Mount Masaya
Goodnight,
Sunday, February 17, 2013
A day at the beach - Sunday Feb 17
Greetings from our foursome - Tena, Ruth, Joanne and Freda.
Today we started our second week with a great breakfast, left at 0900 on an old school bus to see a different part of Nicaragua. We travelled for about 1 1/2 hours to San Juan del Sur. After a windy walk on the beach, we gathered at El Timon restaurant on the beach and enjoyed a most wonderful lunch. Then we parted in small groups, some by taxi to explore more sights a distance away. Some
relaxed at the beach. Tena, Joanne and I explored the quaint little shops; walked alot, shopped very little - while John, our chaperone, kept an eye on us! At 4 pm all of us went back to the bus, just in time as rain started to come down. On our way we saw farms, volcano mountain, fruit stands, and a large statue of Jesus on a high mountain, and a beautiful sunset.
Freda Leenders
Today we started our second week with a great breakfast, left at 0900 on an old school bus to see a different part of Nicaragua. We travelled for about 1 1/2 hours to San Juan del Sur. After a windy walk on the beach, we gathered at El Timon restaurant on the beach and enjoyed a most wonderful lunch. Then we parted in small groups, some by taxi to explore more sights a distance away. Some
relaxed at the beach. Tena, Joanne and I explored the quaint little shops; walked alot, shopped very little - while John, our chaperone, kept an eye on us! At 4 pm all of us went back to the bus, just in time as rain started to come down. On our way we saw farms, volcano mountain, fruit stands, and a large statue of Jesus on a high mountain, and a beautiful sunset.
Freda Leenders
Food for thought
Since the last clinic ended, we've had many conversations within the team about global health. Our impressions, opinions, things we've learned, and suggestions for years to come are accumulating! In addition to our sightseeing, the Medical team is doing a great deal of pondering. Exactly what is needed here? Exactly what is the best way for Canadians to contribute to the Medical Care of the people of Nicaragua? And who should be determining this? We'll keep you updated.
Kirsten Blaine
Kirsten Blaine
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