We have had a crazy few days. The internet here is fairly on-and-off, since I have to track down someone to be able to access the internet with their computer, and it is rare that I am the only one who needs the computer!
Yesterday we arrived at the hostel. It is so gorgeous here - I can barely believe it is a hostel! We have a courtyard in the centre of our hostel, which all the rooms look out on. Yesterday we went to Izalco's welcoming meeting. It was a really touching, changing experience. The mayor of the town talked about how the town is losing a lot of their culture because the government is no longer supporting the indigenous people in this region. He is so grateful that we are even here, offering our services to the town, that when our leader, Dr Ben Cavilla, asked what the mayor thought we could do for the town, the mayor replied, "I am speechless that you have even asked me about what you can contribute. I have been taught never to take the generosity of others for granted. I am so thankful that you are here, and can't ask for more." Amazing. The selflessness of these people, who have so little compared to us, makes me feel like I can always be so much more generous in my life. The mayor is fighting to keep his town alive, his indigenous culture alive. Speaking of indigenous - the mayor told us that the word 'indigenous' has almost become a slur because the government is so against helping the natives from keeping their culture and heritage. So the socially acceptable term is 'naturals'. It is sad that a word so built in history has become such an insult to these people.
Today, we had our first day in the clinics. Our team was on healthcare education. We saw about 170 patients, had 220 scripts in the pharmacy. Healthcare education essentially is us trying to educate the people about respiratory diseases, and hopefully help them understand what they can do to prevent contracting such disease. Some of us helped in managing clinic flow - filling out patient charts, filing patients into rooms and keeping order in general. It was amazing the kinds of things the locals were willing to change and wanted to change to make their lives and their children's lives better. Tomorrow, we will be again in the clinics shadowing the physicians. Did you know, that tylenol costs $1.00 a pill here? So many patients who come to our clinic are here for the free tylenol that we can provide. Imagine the increase in their livelihood that we contribute - even if it is just for a short time. The ability not to worry about where your next meal will come from because you have the medication you need? Priceless.
I was so touched by the thankfulness of the people here. One man spoke to me in rushed Spanish thanking me over and over for my help. And all I did was ensure that he was able to see a doctor. Another young girl, no older than 15, gave me this beautiful butterfly necklace for helping her see the doctor. I wish I had more to give these people. Even the dogs here are so underfed.
I hope I can update this blog soon - but it all depends on how much time I get with the computer!
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