Update from El Salvador
Posted on 24 April 2010
Well, it certainly is hot here!! The team has been busy again, the past few days, working at the clinic. As the days go by we are seeing people from further and further away. The further they get from the “city,” the poorer the people are as well. We are seeing mostly seniors at the clinic. They are an amazing group of people. One of the men was one of the first farmers in the area and he is 95 years old. We pulled him from the line and started doting on him from the very beginning.
The gentleman came in, shirt tattered, dirt on his pants and a very dirty hat. He looked like he had not bathed in a while. Olga first noticed his hand when measuring his blood pressure. He had 4 inch nails that had dirt caked in them. He was then taken to Rae who trimmed his finger nails for him.
While he was in line for triage, Karla, one of our amazing translators, pointed him out. We took him in a room and fitted him with new shoes. When he took the old ones, the inside of the shoes were just a skeleton. There was mud that had seeped through, holding the shoe in place. He also had washcloths in them, for protection, as there were many holes in the shoes. He walked away with a new pair of shoes and a gorgeous hat. We arrange for food for people that wait in line, as well, and he devoured the meal. He was such an amazing man. He had a smile on his face the whole time and just relished all the attention he was getting. You could tell that the locals really respected him as well. They were so happy that he was getting all of his gifts.
The friend of the gentleman with respiratory problems, from the previous day, also came back to the clinic. He was there, in total, for about 4 hours the day before and did NOT get seen as he was concerned for his friend. He returned for himself, yesterday, to be assessed. What amazing patience he had. He could have very well visited the clinic for himself, but was more concerned for his friend. What a gentle soul. He was so grateful and happy to report that his friend was doing much better. This news thrilled everyone at the clinic.
So, on Friday, we ended early and drove to Nombre de Jesus, where we held our clinic the year before. We were there in the hopes to find Christian, the little boy who needs heart surgery. We stood at the back of the pick up truck and took a long bumpy, windy road through the mountains to the town. When we got there we could see how the town had not changed at all. Many people yelled “HOW ARE YOU?” as we drove in, recognizing familiar faces.
We saw some of the kids from the year before, then Dr O’Connor, Eusebio and myself ventured to Christian’s old place. We discovered that he was just there a few days ago. He now lives in Honduras with his aunt. He is a little bit bigger, but his condition has not changed at all. This was good news for the team as we had lost complete contact with him for the past few months. We were given a few more phone numbers to contact him and hope to do so within the next few days. It was such a huge relief to her that he was still okay and visible in the community.
In the evening, Maria, an amazing local hero honoured us with her presence. She had led the revolution and many of her people to safety, during the civil war. She was recently elected into Government office and is very actively involved in promoting the local youth. She came with about a dozen kids from the community.
The boys entertained us with their musical talents and sang some traditional Salvadorian songs. They asked the Canadians to respond with their own musical talent. Daniella, one of our fabulous translators, took control of the guitar and belted out a beautiful song. She was asked for an encore presentation more than once as she amazed not only the locals, but the team as well who had not heard her amazing talent in the past.
So, for the weekend, the team is in Suchitoto, a very beautiful, artsy community. The team is on a well deserved break. We are here for a day and a half. Tomorrow the team will hear the children from the Harp program perform. It is going to be a wonderful way to end off our weekend!!
Next week is our final week. It is certainly going to be challenging, as the people will be coming from further away and be more complicated. This was a good week to ease people in and get everyone acclimatized. The team continues to stay healthy and strong. Only one snake, a few tarantulas and jumbo frogs have crossed our paths this far!! Many of us sleep with a towel shoved under the door to keep the critters out!!!
1 Response to Update from El Salvador
My wife and myself really enjoy reading the updates. The stories and the team’s daily routines are well described and written. Thank you. We hope that everyones arrives back in Canada safely and it has been quite an experience. Thanks again. Have a great last week.