Nursing Home & Hospital Visit
Did not have to time to write up a blog yesterday, but it was the most eye opening day thus far of the trip. We visited the elderly home and hospital here. If the level of poverty wasn't already apparent to us, it was today. The level of healthcare in both the places we visited today is far below any of that back in the US. Myself and the other pre-OT students had a significant moment when we helped a woman who had had a stroke, walk for the first time in a year and 5 weeks (she had been keeping exact count). The joy and expression on her face after the first stretch was priceless. The one and only PT/OT at the institution was 75 years old and frail and couldn't help this woman on her own to walk. Once she got up on her feet she told us how she loved to dance and proceeded to ask if any of us liked to dance and of course my name came up, I never pass up a chance to get my dance on. She demanded I "shake it, but don't break it", I couldn't disappoint the lady so I did as told. As I did she preceded to join in and her smile grew bigger. We then helped prepare lunch for all the residents, where I also learned how to make the infamous Belizean watermelon juice.... I plan on making it once I get back to the states. It was sad to see the condition the elderly here were living in. During the day they spend most of their time sitting on the veranda in the hot Belizean heat, no air conditioning in any units of the institution just fans, and the kitchen does not use filtered water and many of their of their
family members are to poor or just neglect to come see them. I pray that they are able to progress further in the future and reach their goals as an institution.
After serving the residents their food, we headed over to the local hospital, which was just as eye opening. The pictures I posted on my Facebook show how different their idea of healthcare is compared to ours. There is no individual offices for each specialists, but only individual rooms with one client bench. The cafeteria kitchen's sanitary regulations would fail by United States FDA guidelines. When we walked into tour the room sized cafeteria and kitchen the chef was washing her hair in the sink. There was also no air conditioning and bread was laid out and uncovered. The delivery room had reminders on how to deliver a baby, details that your typical OB/GYN should know. Overall b/w the conditions and lack staff, I'm more grateful than ever for the healthcare we have back in the states.
family members are to poor or just neglect to come see them. I pray that they are able to progress further in the future and reach their goals as an institution.
After serving the residents their food, we headed over to the local hospital, which was just as eye opening. The pictures I posted on my Facebook show how different their idea of healthcare is compared to ours. There is no individual offices for each specialists, but only individual rooms with one client bench. The cafeteria kitchen's sanitary regulations would fail by United States FDA guidelines. When we walked into tour the room sized cafeteria and kitchen the chef was washing her hair in the sink. There was also no air conditioning and bread was laid out and uncovered. The delivery room had reminders on how to deliver a baby, details that your typical OB/GYN should know. Overall b/w the conditions and lack staff, I'm more grateful than ever for the healthcare we have back in the states.
Days 4 &5
The past two days we ended up building an underground refrigeration unit while switching shifts to help build the tire road for the orphanage. It was tough stuff, but honestly very rewarding. In retrospect I felt that my contribution was minimal but yesterday when we left the man who owned to property had such a thankful heart. I'm glad I could be apart of something bigger in helping this couple achieve their goals in helping the young girls here. It was not all work, during our lunch break some local Belizeans who were also helping us build the cellar challenged our girls who had done tug a war for Greek week to a dual. We won the first round, then once they realized we had strength beyond their initial judgement... they literally drug us to the ground. Walters of course demanded a rematch. We won best 2/3. It has been so interesting talking to the younger population here while we worked. They have the same similar goals and drive as we do back at GC. Two of the boys I spoke with were seniors in high school and want to become an engineer and a sonogram advisor. However they also informed me that Belize has only one university here and they wanted to attend a different outside university for their degrees. Hearing this first hand makes me appreciate the opportunities I have been given back home in regards to having multiple universities within my home state and having equal opportunity to attend them. Each day here is a reminder to count my blessings more and more. While we were working the man's wife and her friends cooked us some amazing chicken for lunch. The taste was fresh and unprocessed, unlike most poultry back in the states. Needless to say after shoveling all morning I chowed down.
I have already come to love the girls I came here with. Although I was acquaintances with most of them already, we have already all grown so close and I cannot imagine this trip without them. I am already sad thinking about going back to the states and not being around them 24/7 but until then I'm a going to enjoy my time while I have it and take it all in. Thank you again to everyone who helped make this trip possible! Thanking the God for these many blessings!
I have already come to love the girls I came here with. Although I was acquaintances with most of them already, we have already all grown so close and I cannot imagine this trip without them. I am already sad thinking about going back to the states and not being around them 24/7 but until then I'm a going to enjoy my time while I have it and take it all in. Thank you again to everyone who helped make this trip possible! Thanking the God for these many blessings!
late update
Hey ya'll! Sorry the posting has been slow, the wifi isn't the best here and it has been difficult to upload blog posts or pictures. Yesterday and today we went to different ruins and it was incredible! I'm about climbing and views and I got both. The view of the city was beautiful and so green. Everything here is so fresh! The food has been great and easy on my stomach due to the lack of processing. Each day they serve fresh squeezed juice at the place we are staying, and I for one haven't tasted anything like this back in the states. Last night we found a huge spider in Walters bed.... Needless to say that was eventful. Dr.hunt to the rescue on that. Testing procedures in the city went well today. We had a great turnout. It was interesting to see the height differences in the people here. I did not measure one person who was over 6 ft. Some of the people we saw had not had their vitals, height, or weight measured in many years and were so thankful for us being there. Tomorrow is our service today. Hunt says it will be our toughest time while we are here. We will be building a road from old tires for an orphanage and ultimately saving them $60,000 US dollars. I'm nervous with not being used to such great heat index but humbled to be able to able to make some sort of impact here. The orphanages here are very poor and turn the children out at age 11, most girls resorting to prostitution for lacking of any other means of funds. They are trying to save money to open an all girls orphanage to prevent this from happening. I'll keep posted as much as I am able but like I mentioned before wifi is not easily available. Missing ya'll -Ashley
DAY 1
After we arrived & ate we went to a Hot Sauce shop, with all the different levels & flavors of hotness extreme....I of course, if you know me refrained from buying any😝. We then came back to the cabins we are staying in and then proceeded to go ham on the chicken, rice, & flan they provided for us for dinner and dessert. Tomorrow we go into the town of San Ignacio to meet with the people of the city and do an exploration scavenger hunt! Cannot wait to learn more about this culture and meet its people! Below are pictures posted from our ride from the airport to the place we are staying. It is humbling and brings such perspective to see how the people of Belize live here. I have so enjoyed getting to know the people I'm traveling with and can't wait for all the adventures to come with them! Tonight back at the cabin was eventful.... we discovered a lizard friend in our shower and I'm pretty sure I accidentally ingested some water while showering so we shall see how that ends up... Anyways thanks ya'll for reading. Missing ya'll :(
I have been blessed to go on a study abroad trip with my fellow health science majors to San Ignacio, Belize for two weeks! I am so excited to experience a whole new culture, while also helping to educate the people there about the importance of health and fitness! Going for an learning experience, and adventure, hoping to leave an impact. I'd love for all my family and friends to follow me and my adventures on this blog while I'm here! Peace out ''Merica, we're coming for ya Belize!
selfie or nah
About to board de plane!! Time change is two hours behind here. We made it safely, the plane ride was a little rocky, but all worth it to finally be here and start this adventure! Getting off the plane you tell it was definitely not the US anymore. The heat is real but the terrain is beautiful so green & vibrant! Bout to go eat our first meal here!
catching up & the end
Friday: It was an adventure to say the least! We drove for an hour or so to go to Mystic River in the jungle right outside of San Ignacio. It is full of hiking trails, a place to canoe down to town, yoga stations, and a restaurant. The hiking trails were beautiful and the views were something that pictures couldn't do justice. The greenery here is nothing like I've ever seen before. We then ate lunch by the river where I tried a veggie sandwich with balsamic and it was heaven. Needless to say I was a happy camper. We then went to canoe...this is where it got interesting. Walters's canoe tipped and became totally submerged. She also lost her go pro chest strap and kd tank top but other than that they all got out alive :). After we had to wait in downtown San Ignacio for our professors to come back to pick us up. All of my clothes had become soaked from when our canoes slightly tipped so I was left to walk around in just my swim suit, therefore I bought a pair of $5 boys soccer shorts (the only cheap pair I could find) with my tevas. Needless to say I definitely made some sort of fashion statement to the Belizean people.
Monday-Thursday: So clearly I've been horrible at keeping up with my blog. It's been a jammed packed trip, and I wouldn't want it any other way! Dr. Hunt has gone above and beyond in his planning to make this the trip of a life time! On Monday we left San Ignacio where we did all of our health assessment clinics and service work to go the beautiful beach of Hopkins on the coast of Belize! On our way we stopped to do zip lining through the jungle, it was a long bumpy ride to the middle of nowhere but so worth it!! It was incredible how different the trees and just the environment in general is from that in the US. We also saw monkeys while hiking to the platforms. Then after an hour or so of driving and gracing Hunt with our throwback tunes of Rihanna and Backstreet Boys we arrived at the beautiful Almond Beach Resort. After 10 days in the San Ignacio heat, not that we would take back a second of our time there, arriving here we think we're in heaven! When we first got here we all hit the beach and took full advantage of the kayaks, & paddle boards. Yesterday was probably one of my top favorite days! We went on a boat ride on the Caribbean and then after about an hour of riding out to sea we stopped and went snorkeling. This was my first time snorkeling for the real deal (not in my swimming pool or by the shore at the beach) so I was stoked to say the least! The corals and colors of the fish were like nothing I've seen up close before! The water was also more blue than any ocean I'd seen before. On the ride back in we also were able to have a dolphin sitting, which was the perfect ending to a perfect day! Today, our last day before we leave tomorrow :( we went on an awesome but killer hike. I'm sure to be sore when I get to the homeland tomorrow. It was pretty straight up, but fun at the same time actually climbing rocks and roots to get to the top. The view once we got there was truly one of the best and most breathtaking I've had yet to see. Then once we got to the very tip there was a place called Antelope Pool where we jumped from the top of a waterfall down into the pool. I'm proud to say I got my scardy butt up there and successfully jumped with a very high pitched scream. It was an great adventure to round off the trip of a lifetime!
I have truly learned more than I could have ever hoped going on this trip! Meeting the people of Belize has given me such perspective on the elements of everyday life and has caused me to have such a big heart for all of them. The things I've learned and relationships I've made with all the girls with me on this trip will not be forgotten. I've laughed harder and more on this trip than I have in a hot minute, and made bonds that I know are solid now and going forward. There were sometimes when we wanted to give up because the work was hard, but we had each other to lean on and push through. I wouldn't want to dig a ditch or mix mounds of dirt with anyone else. Belize I am forever thankful. You have a place in my heart. 'Murica I'm comin for ya!
Monday-Thursday: So clearly I've been horrible at keeping up with my blog. It's been a jammed packed trip, and I wouldn't want it any other way! Dr. Hunt has gone above and beyond in his planning to make this the trip of a life time! On Monday we left San Ignacio where we did all of our health assessment clinics and service work to go the beautiful beach of Hopkins on the coast of Belize! On our way we stopped to do zip lining through the jungle, it was a long bumpy ride to the middle of nowhere but so worth it!! It was incredible how different the trees and just the environment in general is from that in the US. We also saw monkeys while hiking to the platforms. Then after an hour or so of driving and gracing Hunt with our throwback tunes of Rihanna and Backstreet Boys we arrived at the beautiful Almond Beach Resort. After 10 days in the San Ignacio heat, not that we would take back a second of our time there, arriving here we think we're in heaven! When we first got here we all hit the beach and took full advantage of the kayaks, & paddle boards. Yesterday was probably one of my top favorite days! We went on a boat ride on the Caribbean and then after about an hour of riding out to sea we stopped and went snorkeling. This was my first time snorkeling for the real deal (not in my swimming pool or by the shore at the beach) so I was stoked to say the least! The corals and colors of the fish were like nothing I've seen up close before! The water was also more blue than any ocean I'd seen before. On the ride back in we also were able to have a dolphin sitting, which was the perfect ending to a perfect day! Today, our last day before we leave tomorrow :( we went on an awesome but killer hike. I'm sure to be sore when I get to the homeland tomorrow. It was pretty straight up, but fun at the same time actually climbing rocks and roots to get to the top. The view once we got there was truly one of the best and most breathtaking I've had yet to see. Then once we got to the very tip there was a place called Antelope Pool where we jumped from the top of a waterfall down into the pool. I'm proud to say I got my scardy butt up there and successfully jumped with a very high pitched scream. It was an great adventure to round off the trip of a lifetime!
I have truly learned more than I could have ever hoped going on this trip! Meeting the people of Belize has given me such perspective on the elements of everyday life and has caused me to have such a big heart for all of them. The things I've learned and relationships I've made with all the girls with me on this trip will not be forgotten. I've laughed harder and more on this trip than I have in a hot minute, and made bonds that I know are solid now and going forward. There were sometimes when we wanted to give up because the work was hard, but we had each other to lean on and push through. I wouldn't want to dig a ditch or mix mounds of dirt with anyone else. Belize I am forever thankful. You have a place in my heart. 'Murica I'm comin for ya!