This has been one of the hardest weeks in may ways. Mainly because all my friends in Antigua decided to be away at the same time! At work, a group of doctors arrived from the US to volunteer their time and skills to serving people living in remote villages in Guatemala. A lack of Spanish on their side meant that they needed a translator, so Lesley was whisked away for a week. Fortunately this happens quite regularly and benefits people from remote villages who rarely have access to medical care. I wish more people could dedicate their time and skills, it really does make a difference. Sadly there aren’t any other volunteers at the moment, its a very quiet time here in Antigua. I suspect the numbers will increase as we near the summer holiday and gap year students begin their travels.
Smiles all round as the boy from intensive care finally returned to the ward looking frail but well on his way to recovery. Its always wonderful to have them back and know they survived. Further evaluations of each child’s diet and progress has meant that we have had to change the number of meals and the amount of formulae for a number of children. This takes a lot of organising and I have been dealing with this. The main problem encountered with this is that while the doctors and nurses of our ward know, the nutrition section does not! So much time has been spent rushing back and forth in an effort to get it right! I think we have managed it!
The predictable downpour every day has meant that we have spent a lot of time indoors. Sadly this has also put an end to the possibility of a dip in the pool for some of the more able children. Increasingly I am aware that I am heading towards the end of my time here and am tryingto prepare for it.
ANTIGUA
Quite an extraordinary week this week which started with a huge earth tremor on Sunday morning (magnitude 6.2). I was taken aback as the mirror on the wall crashed to the floor along with a few other bits and pieces standing on my bedside table! Was I scared??? Of course! I have never experienced anything like it and for a minute I was worried. Then later in the day we had electrical storms and torrents of rain which left us with intermittent electricity and water over the next few days. Since when we have experienced storms day and night, oceans of rain and an active Volcan Fuego. Quite an extraordinary week!
Antigua continued to hold events and this week saw the tail end of the Culture and Arts Festival, with performances by students form the local performing arts schools.
Today Sunday, around 5.00am the sounds of fireworks and songs filled Antigua as it celebrated Mother’s Day. Unlike UK its not hyped at all but everyone knows and the celebrations revolve around families, going out for the morning followed by meals together. In the park, mothers posed for photos with their children, clutching their gifts of roses, smiling broadly. Watching them I felt the importance of love and family, and then the loneliness of the children at the hospital. It really is sad to be so close to either end of the spectrum.
With this my love to all mothers and their children.Happy Mother’s Day!!!
Enjoy
Adios amigos
Goodnight
Xxx
6 comments:
Hola Chica,
Can feel your loneliness from all these miles away so I'm sure I'm going to be the first of many to try and compensate by sending you so much love and support via your blog.
Hard times my lovely and quakes and electrical storms as accompaniament OMG!
You have seen and done such incredible things in the past ten months, you have set the bar so high. We love you, we are inspired by you. Enjoy the rest of your time there and expect a fanfare at least when you come home.
Selfishly I can't wait to see you.
Eres ma inspiracion!
Besos y abrazos
Maya xxxxx
Wow, another captivating blog entry. How do you keep it all so alive and buzzing, even in the midst of such tension. It really cannot be easy being the only one left to deal with the kids, though you certainly rose to the challenge, as always.
Your strength is manifest in this latest entry, the head-down determination to continue to give your best at the hospital and the way in which you continue to document things going on around you; the comments on Mothers' Day are poignant - a refreshing change from the manner in which it is exploited in the UK. Let's hope there are no more earthquakes until your safe return.
What's the literary term for when the weather contrives to match your mood and actions? Brooding skies, electrical storms and torrential downpours seem to mirror the powerful emotions your feeling as your time there comes to an end. You sound very 'managerial' at first, very business-like. But then the sadness of the Mother's Day experience… it is all overwhelming.
I know the hospital must be grateful for every volunteer, but few of us get the chance to make the kind of real difference that you have.
There, or here, you're a real star!
Lots of love, Adrianxxx
Like Adrien says, you are a real star!! The work load must be hard this week, and with everyone leaving I can empathise with your loneliness, but we are all thinking of you, and sending you love, strength and support! You are Wonder Woman to me! And a mother to many, many children! =)
I love you so much and I am so proud of you. Thank you for being the woman to aspire to, for reminding us what it's all about, for your sheer determination, and for your big big heart, that you share so willingly with those around you. You will be loved, spoiled, fought-over, and cuddled to within an inch of your life when you come to London, be warned! Please give a big hug and kiss to Perla.
Love you and miss you, as always,
your Annika xxxxxxxx
Dearest Nayna. As folk have said, you are an inspiration! Your courage, your love and your giving through the tough times as well as the bright times show your strength and depth.
I hope you have some awareness and take comfort in knowing how life changing and inspiring your trip has been for so many. With much love and tender hugs Lxx
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