28th anniversary .....

Obras Sociales Del Santo Hermano Pedro
La Antigua
Guatemala......

Two weeks before I have to leave............





Wow !! What an amazing week this has been as the hospital celebrated its 28th anniversary. Apart from the daily duties, every afternoon there were activities for both patients and
the staff from the different wards.
The first day started with preparing a religious tableau in the ward. This involved buying plants, flowers etc and setting it up for inspection later in the week. It took hours but I think we did well……Yes it’s a competition which everyone takes a lot of pride in. I had a fab time preparing Perla as an angel and two little boys as shepherds… Perla laughed, and one of the boys cried during the inspection…the results are out next Monday!! we hope to get frist prize!!!


















In the afternoons there were activities for the more able patients of all ages. It was amazing to see the participation, and the encouragement from staff as patients struggled and raced down the courtyard… some in wheelchairs, some crawled, some hobbled, some raced their electric chairs and some just sat and looked around. We cheered and music played and everyone enjoyed the events. Sandwiches and cakes at the end. It was wonderful to see them all and everyone a winner…. receiving a medal and a prize.
Two of the afternoons I was just rooted to the spot and looked in wonder at the stage as the singing competition started in the main hall. Such emotions as patients struggled with words and made sounds singing along to CDs, again encouraged and helped by staff and other patients. I was humbled by their participation, It was wonderful to see. Later the staff had their turn, and again people just took part and did their best and didn’t care if it sounded terrible, which it did at times, but they just enjoyed it. It truly was about participation. Then the finale with judges and prizes and lots of singing by everyone in the hall…just WONDERFUL…
One of the things which I particularly loved was that the older patients( some from the Psych ward) didn’t care, they just got up, walked on stage and started dancing and no one stopped them, they grabbed the mikes and joined in the singing or started talking… truly a wonderful atmosphere.... areal Fiesta. There was a great moment when one of the judges asked what kind of a time everyone was having and one of the older patients stood up and responded ‘bad..bad…bad..’ Then she got on stage and told everyone the names of the nurses who were treating her badly. She was escorted off the stage amidst laughter and applause as well as surprise!!
Finally, the race organised by the Physiotherapists for the staff at the hospital… It involved a knock out game of football, an obstacle race, a treasure hunt, including a swim in the pool, collecting odd things along
the way and running through the hospital… a real challenge for eight teams of ten people!! It was quite worrying at time as participants slipped, fell and raced through narrow corridors… through waiting visitors to the hospital….. I fully expected there to be some casualties but fortunately, it all ended with smiles and lots of celebrations……..
The hospital has been a very busy place this week, as patients from surrounding villages came in for treatment. The rainy season has started and lots of people are getting sick… and of course there are over a 120 cases of Swine flu currently in Guatemala. Staff have started wearing masks……
Only two more weeks to go before I leave, but I look forward to next week as I have the opportunity to accompany a team of doctors who are going out into the mountains and villages. It should be interesting but I know I will miss the children…..





ANTIGUA















The rain continues to obscure the volcanoes and late afternoon are dark and gloomy, so have spent a lot of time at home or at the market…..BUT did catch the Miss Antigua procession through town this Friday!! Slowly I am preparing to leave… not an easy task…..
Enjoy
Adios amigos
Goodnight
Xxx