Honduraserve 2012

Well, I'm clearly still way behind on my blogging.  Really, I have many things I've been meaning to post.  There just seems to be a lack of time in my days.  I need that little deal in Harry Potter, like Hermione had so she could go to two classes at once.  So, here is my post on my trip to Honduras, which happened back in the beginning of May.  

The Oklahoma Christian University nursing students with Honduran nursing students at the San Fransisco Hospital.

This summer, I was blessed to have the opportunity to go on Oklahoma Christianʼs Honduraserve program with other students in my nursing class. While this trip was a part of my required clinical experience, it meant much more than just a grade. The first week of my trip was spent in the city of Catacamas, working in a hospital and a couple of different clinics. It was heartbreaking to see how crowded, hot, and dirty these places are. I couldn’t imagine having to be a patient in those conditions. The worst was knowing that the ailments these people had could be easily cured in the United States, but not in Honduras. You just have to do what you can with what you have, no matter how insignificant it seems.

In the NICU feeding an infant with a syringe.

The second week, I was in a remote mountain village, and I would go to a different school or clinic every day. At the schools, I did physical assessments on the kids. My heart ached for them because most of them had lice, rotting teeth, and parasites in their stomach, but those things usually didn’t bother them. They were just glad to see us.  I also taught the older students about fun things.  You know, like sex and STIs.  Good times. 

Teaching in a classroom. 

 Another significant aspect of the trip was health teaching. I saw that there is a huge need for health promotion in Honduras for everything—from how to burp a baby to disease control.  Seriously, the knowledge deficit, especially in health care, is huge.  They don't have all the resources that we do, and most of the health care professionals don't explain things.  I would really encourage the groups that go in future years to emphasize health teaching in the community. 

I taught the parents of this infant different techniques for burping him.

 My favorite part of the trip was the two afternoons I got to go play with the kids at an orphanage. They were so friendly and excited to have us there. Those kids stole my heart! Seriously, I wanted to bring them home. 

Especially this little girl!  For some reason, she reminds me of "Rue" from the "Hunger Games."

Aside from the "work" part of this trip, there was also "play" time.  I got to go through a zip line course, which is so much fun.  I got to wander around inside a cave, which is cool but I prefer not being inside of dark places with only one way out.  Went swimming.  I climbed behind a waterfall.  That was pretty crazy.  Note to anyone who might do this: wear goggles.  Hiked through a tropical forest and saw lots of big spiders (not cool) and a couple of monkeys (cool).  Spent a day on the beach.  Went on the wettest most exciting boat ride ever.  

The waterfall I went behind.  It looks so pretty, doesn't it?

Going to Honduras was truly an incredible experience, and I would encourage you to go if you ever have the chance!