My life at 9,000 ft

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Well my life living at just over 9,000 ft above sea level is going great! Despite the fact that I am fighting one hell of a cold. I’ve done lots since my last update. I’ve spent two days at the Santa Elena clinic, attended several meeting to discuss poverty issues in Peru and how the Care Corps is tackling this enormous undertaking, shopped, ate like a Queen, and made some great new fiends.

This morning on my way to the health clinic a group of us stopped off at a school in a very poor district and gave the kids the school supplies that I brought down. They organized them into lines according to their classes. I was surprised at how well the behaved. Marisol, our house coordinator, explained who I was and what I was about to give them in Spanish. They were very excited! Several of the other volunteers helped me distribute the goods and David and Phil, two brothers who are volunteering at the school, are going to keep the extras supplies and use them as needed. When we finished with the kids Laurie and I were taken to the health clinic.

At the Santa Elena health clinic they were giving Yellow Fever vaccinations today. The Doctor and nurses made me get mine yesterday. I tried to ask if I could help, however, my Spanglish is really muy muy bad! So I did not get my point across and spent lots of time observing. I did get to help make cotton balls if that is any constellation prize! Yes they really do make their own cotton balls. After a few hours of that Laurie and I headed to the OB department (room) to see if anyone was getting ready to have a baby, no luck, so we were off to the lab. The lab was lots of fun. I got to help take a few throat cultures. That felt good to actually assist in something. The down side to this was the lab technician who took the cultures went to the bathroom prior and did not wash his hands. Obviously sanitation is a big issue down here. After that I went back to the lab where Laurie was in full conversation with the ladies who work their. I got to work on my Spanish and we made conversation about our lives and homes. It was good to practice speaking Spanish. They also showed us some slides and pointed out some funguses. The head lab lady (unfortunately I can not pronounce, spell, or remember her name) got some color pictures of common bacteria, funguses, and viruses to show us. It was very interesting and educational in many ways.

CCS set up Spanish lesions for us and I had my first one yesterday. It did help some. I missed the lesion today due to my head ach. I have been fighting a sinus problem and I think I’m currently on the loosing team! I’ll say Buenos Noches (good night) .

Ciao, Machelle

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Photos

The Girls
Left to Right.
Me Spokane WA, Lauri Chicago IL, Jeanett New York NY, Sue England.

Comments

[Tim]

Good job!
Adventure Girl rocks! Keep up the good work and the reports. Very inspirational. ...and outstanding photos!