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12.30.13

As a journal exercise, our trip advisors suggested we write our personal goals, some fears, as well as some obstacles that we will face when we are in Nicaragua.

I have many goals, but overall I just hope that this trip allows me to experience the culture of the Nicaraguans. Travelling to new places is amazing- and being able to live the way the locals do makes the trip an even better experience.

I know I am very blessed to have learned Spanish growing up, but I am still extremely nervous that I will say something wrong and mistranslate. I am just worried that I will worry too much (obviously I have already started worrying) and build a shelter around myself and prevent all communication between myself and the Nicaraguans. Also, although I am a health science student, I don't know as much as the actual nursing students and because of that, I am worried I won't be able to help as much when we do medical work.

My overall expectations for the duties of the trip are pretty basic. I am looking forward to building things that will prevent public health problems and I cannot wait to see all the gory wounds and illnesses at the medical clinic in the village. I cannot wait for the rewarding moments of helping families in need and playing games with little kids, but I am overall just hoping to go into this with an open mind and to learn more about being a glonal medical professional. I cannot wait to board the plane tomorrow!

Global Brigades: Nicaragua

Emmilyn Hanus

12.31.13-1.8.14

12.31.13

We arrived in Nicaragua around 10pm. We were so exhausted and tired of sitting on the plane, and then we had to cram into vans and drive for three more hours. The route to Estelí was beautiful, and it was cool to see everyone celebrating the New Year by having bonfires and parties outside of their homes. It was something not really seen in America on New Year’s. When we finally arrived to our compound it was about 12:45 am and I was exhausted. We all just wanted to go to bed, but the rooms got a little mixed up. We originally had been told we would have only 6 people to a room, but when we got there, Molly and I were stuck in a room with 15 other girls. We were extremely packed and it was at first very uncomfortable, but I realized it was a price we would have to pay- and obviously it’s better than sleeping on the ground. The bugs were pretty disgusting though and for a while I didn’t think I would be able to handle them, but I realized that again, it’s something we would need to get used to. The grossest thing about them was just the fact that they slept with us! Overall, it was a great feeling to land in Nicaragua and get there safely, but after seeing our rooms and the bugs... it felt like it was going to be a long week!

 

Today we started our public health work in a community up in the mountans. We were working in El Hatillo which was about 2 ½ hours from where we were staying. The drive over there was quite the ride. There were a lot of cows just wandering the roads and horses wandering without any owners. When we got there, we were introduced to the families and then we started doing work! We were split into groups to build sanitary units and lay concrete floors in the houses. I was placed in a group determined to build the sanitation unit. We got to work with a Nicaraguan Carpenter, Achele. When we started off building, Achele and the other carpenters kept scolding me for picking up two bricks at a time, because women in Nicarague don't normally hold jobs like that. It was frustrating being told that I couldn't carry a bag of cement, eventhough here in the U.S I carry 50 lb. bags of grain on a daily basis. I ended up showing Achele that I could do work like this, but all week he would still take the bricks from me and tell me to be more careful. This was a hard realization to overcome, but i knew that going against what he was telling me would be extremely disrespectful, so I kept myself busy with other tasks that Achele told me I could handle. 

Although i was frustrated by their misconception of a woman's strength, I enjoyed talking with Achele and communicating with him as I practiced my Spanish. He playfully made fun of me whenever I messed some words up, but overall being able to communicate with Achele and the other carpenters made this trip even better.

1.2.14

all the girls are getting used to sharing a house with cockroaches, but they all woke up complaining about the lack of WiFi and outlets to charge electronics. I am sad to see how greedy and picky we Americans are, and I really wish this wasn’t the case at all. I hope that over this next week everyone has an eye opening experience that helps them realize what we have comparatively, but right now it isn’t looking too hopeful for some of the people on this trip.

 

Today is was easier to catch on to the Spanish, it’s all flooding back as I listen to the Nicaraguans speak. I am really loving how kind and happy the Nicaraguans are on a regular basis. They just always seem so happy and cheerful, even though they don’t have a shower or cement floors. It’s cool to see that and it really is an eye opener for me and others on this trip as well. We finished building the “holding tank” today and I am very surprised by how nice our work looks. We did a good job considering!

1.3.14

Today was our last public health workday. I am sad to hear that, especially because of how touching and meaningful the last two days have been to me. We finished building today- I got to work alongside Achele for a while and that was a really cool experience. He actually reminds me of my dad- hardworking, good at building things, and very enjoyable to talk to.

After lunch today I got the opportunity to teach some members of the community about foodborne illnesses and diarrhea and cholera. This was a really cool experience because I got to practice my Spanish and experience the education aspect of public health. Our teaching started out with asking what the families knew already about the topic, and surprisingly they knew a lot of facts and preventative/ treatment measures. I was really impressed! After charla and building, it was time to go.

We, as a chapter, said our goodbyes to the families we worked with and they were so thankful for everything we did. They said they feel like they will never be able to repay us fully, but I think that we gained just as much as they did from the experience alone. I will never forget the importance they put on family and the little things in life- that is something that I think all Americans mistakenly look over.

1.4.14

Today was considered our day off- we packed medications to prepare for the three day clinic and then we also went sightseeing and shopping. We saw the most beautiful scenery at a place called Garnacha. I could’ve looked at those mountains all day- they rolled on forever and I just couldn’t getover how amazing God was in that moment. After looking over the mountains and taking a billion pictures, we went into Esteli to shop. I bought a few souvenirs, but mostly just spent that time talking with the global brigades staff. I really think that after college working for them is something I want to do. They have one year advising positions and those people are stationed in Nicaragua. I am still looking into this position- but so far it is really looking like something I would like to do- until I know for sure if I want to go to medical school or not. So I will be keeping that on my radar.Anyways, talking with the staff was a really cool experience- they have incredible stories! Louis, our translator, lived in the US but unfortunately never received a green card or citizenship so he had to leave the country- his 4 year old daughter and wife are still in the United States. Carlos, our coordinator, has a four year old son who is adorable! He is married but only working with global brigades on the side- so when he isn’t working he sells his artwork- he is an amazing artist! Overall, today was just a really cool day to spend getting to know the staff, the others on our trip, and just hanging out in Nicaragua and reflecting on the life i live in the U.s.

1.5.14

Everyone seems to be sick today- but my stomach is fine! This is weird for me because normally in the states I always have a stomach ache, but here I am feeling fine all the time! Which is interesting, because i usually always have stomach aches, so not having them in Nicaragua was a relief!

 

I am excited to be on our way to the medical clinic but I am nervous because Sam has me down as a fluent Spanish speaker. I know Spanish, and can handle small conversations, but I am nowhere near fluent!The first station I got to sit at was medical consulting. I sat with the Nicaraguan doctor who did check-ups, asked for symptoms, diagnosed, and prescribed. It was really cool because for the most part I could understand everything he and the patients were saying, and after a while he let me hand out a medication they all got and explain how to take the medicine also. It was really cool!

The bus driver forgot my vegetarian lunch today- so at first I thought I would just be eating peanut butter and jelly- but the bread was all gone by the time I got to the front of the line! Carlos, my hero, asked one of the locals if they would cook me something for lunch and thankfully they did. This was probably the best meal I had all week, and I was just amazed at how generous and kind the people were in Sacacli. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.6.14

Today was our second day in Sacacli and one of the best. I got to start the day off in charla with the kids, which was a lot of fun and they all just loved us! This one little boy never left my side- he was the cutest thing- I wish I could’ve brought him with me back home! I don’t like teeth or the idea of helping kids brush them, but charla was still a really cool experience. The little boy who wouldn’t leave my side asked me If I was a nurse or a doctor, and I told him I wasn’t either but I was in school to be a doctor, and he said, “You will make a great doctor someday.” How precious!!!! (He and I are in the picture below)

1.7.14

I slept so well last night- I don’t think I moved at all! Breakfast today was delicious, but realizing that it was our last one was so sad. I think I could live this life forever- waking up, helping people, speaking Spanish, living in Nicaragua- all of it! I love it so much. When we got to the clinic today I started out in triage, which was a cool Spanish speaking opportunity for me. At first, Louis was helping me translate so that I didn’t miss any symptoms, but after a while I was able to take care of it all myself.

After lunch I got to hang out with the kids again, and we played games all afternoon- that same little boy from yesterday wouldn’t stop holding my hand while we played games. After we were finished with our medical clinic for the day, the village threw a party for us and to celebrate three kings day. There was a mariachi band and that little boy showed me how to dance and danced with me the whole time basically! It was a lot of fun!

Leaving the community was sad and I will really miss the friends I have made in Nicaragua. Carlos called us twins today and I will just really miss him to death. He was like a brother to me, and I feel like I will be leaving behind a family when I leave Nicaragua.

1.8.14

Trip reflection:

 

Overall, I really enjoyed travelling to Nicaragua and it has changed my ideas of life after college. This trip will never be forgotten, especially because it will be one of the experiences in life that helps shape who I will grow up to be. The villagers told us they would be waiting with arms open wide for our return, which brought me to tears and I am waiting anxiously for the day I return! I know I will return- either as an advisor (hopefully!) or as a college student on another brigade.

Being able to speak Spanish and communicate with the Nicaraguans really enhanced my experience- I am happy that as a freshman in high school I chose to take Spanish classes. This trip had challenges, but so does everything in life. Getting along with the whole group was difficult, but we made it work. The living conditions were something to get used to, but I really didn’t mind it. Yes, I am excited to go home to a hot shower and a toilet I can actually flush, but those are not limiting factors to my experience here in Nicaragua. I was reminded this past week that all the little things in life are what we should be thankful for- the simplicity of life is what brings us the most happiness.

Overall, hearing Nicaraguan families share how thankful they are for our help and hearing that we have forever changed their life really made this trip worth it. God has blessed me with so many gifts and talents and I cannot wait to continue sharing that with people around the world.

 

I hope this journal reflection has encouraged you to take a trip across the globe to experience a whole new world as you discover the things that make you who you are!

1.1.14

I was so hungry When we woke up and breakfast was AMAZING! We had scrambled eggs, gallop pinto (rice and black beans), queso fresco, fresh fruit, and delicious fried plantains! And, their coffee was mouth-watering!!! 

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