Medical Missions are by far the most interesting days....

Taking a step back to a few months ago when I volunteered to translate for a group of doctors who volunteer for Partners in Health, I came along some interesting diagnostics given by local doctors. One woman began to explain that she had already seen a doctor about the mass growing on her left breast. She said the doctor would operate but that she needed to first find 5 liters of blood before doing the operation. She said she was unable to encounter the body fluid neither in the pharmacy nor through acquaintances so therefore she had not received the operation. After questioning the patient once again to clarify if I was hearing her correctly, I translated to the doctor only to watch her face lose all color. She thought I had misunderstood- so we asked again, and no, that was exactly what they had told her to do. Pretty much to go buy blood on the street and bring it back to the hospital for the operation. The doctor were lost for word, seriously stunned… and we though U.S. health care was bad.

Every day I live outside of the United States I realize just how fortunate we are to have the basics covered, especially when it comes to our health. It may be ridiculously expensive, but the resources are available and that’s life changing. However, there is always room for improvements.

For example, who wouldn’t want a macgyver style stirrup at their next Gyno appointment? 

livin in the sticks

 Just a taste of what its like where I live out in the campo.
First off, we have my Garden. I cut down all the corn stalks with my machete- hand made fence is a success. Next stage, planting. 

This is the outdoor kitchen that my family, the dog and all the chickens use for various activities including boiling our water for bucket baths.   

  

Here is the shower, or bucket area? I think the pictures speak for themselves. Its 5 feet tall so you have to kind duck down while you poor water over your head.... and that's the plank you walk to get in.

Cilantro and baby leeks at my window

 Last but not least, my beautiful latrine! 

Hope this gives you a little peak into what life is like out here. xoxo

dame cinco

The highlight of my week is usually when I do house visits and get to mingle with families in the community. I especially love it when the little kids drag out big shovels twice their size and try to get involved in digging gardens and helping me plant seeds.

This one house in particular was quite memorable. I myself and two young boys began digging the soil and preparing it to plant. About 10 minutes in they decided that there was an immanent need to scare away the birds by lighting rounds of firecrackers- which is obviously way more exciting not to mention dangerous for a 6 year old. After the digging was done, the two patojos (little rascals) returned to help me plant some seeds and were super excited to have helped in the end. I told them they had done a great job and that I would be back soon to help them plant the rest. Then I put my hand up and said “nice work, give me five!” the smiles on their face were immediately wiped away and replaced with looks of concern. One little boy reached toward his pockets and began to sadly explain that he simply did not have any money “pero, yo no tengo pisto Sasha!” It was the cutest thing I had ever seen. Lesson learned, high fives do not translate. 

A late start

So, I said I would start a blog and even though I have already been here for 5 months it's still better late than never, right?

Situated right below Mexico, Guatemala is the first country in Central America and shares a common border with Belize, Honduras and El Salvador. 

I am currently working for the Peace Corps in the Food Security program- combating malnutrition which has stricken this country with the 4^th highest malnutrition rate in the world. Our task is to teach nutrition classes, cooking classes, start community gardens, health-ify the chickens and spread the good words of the good ol’ U S of A-yeehaw!

Alta Verapaz (the highlands of true peace) is a beautiful place full of lush green forests and the infamous ‘chipi chipi’. That’s what the call the constant light rain that blankets our town on a daily basis. 

Watch this it you haven't see 'Motorcycle Diaries', or if you just need a refresher. 

This is where I will be carrying out my service over the next two years in the Peace Corps.  The tea cooperative that I am working for is situated in the mountains with a mix of pine trees and a bit of the jungle (banana trees, tea plants, and lots of fog). It is remarkable. They make organic black tea and it is delicious.

My first week in site was promising as I explored the nearby communities and settled into my new house. I am living with a family who has two little girls (Gordita and Colocha- a.k.a Fatty and Curly) and the whole family is full of spunk and energy. 

Here they are: Colocha on the left and Gordita, living up to her name, on the right. 

Mama Ruti with her 2 girls... ready for a Christmas parade

Yesterday (as in 2 months ago) I spent the entire day with the family walking through the forest from one house to another. We ate soup in a wooden shack with palm fronds covering the dirt floor and corn hanging from wooden beams-drying for the next planting season. Our lunch was followed by a walk to the grandfathers' house, up in the hills through tea plants and corn, chickens and cows, mud and streams. Once we were done visiting, or shall I say once they were done visiting (everyone spoke the Mayan language of Q'eqchi') we set off through the forest to return home. This is when I discovered just how rad this family really was. First, the dad was carrying his 3 year old daughter (who had just wet her pants) and the mom, who still had on her high heels from the early morning church service, was carrying her 6 month old baby. I had nothing to carry yet I couldn't gain my footing in all the mud.  It was truly incredible how normal this was for the family. the best part was when a bull came at us in the middle of a field and the dad fended him off with a Hannah Montana umbrella while holding his screaming 3 year old.