Nursing in Guatemala
I Didn’t Know
July 15, 2019 started the week of something that would change my perspective on things for my life. This day and the few days leading up to it I had so much anxiety. I was so nervous to embark on this journey that I had desired to do for years. July 15, 2019 I joined an amazing organization, School The World, traveling to Guatemala to help build a school in the community of Pacho Chicalte in Quiche, a city in Guatemala. This was my first service trip as well as my first time out of the country. I had no clue what I was getting myself into , but I knew it was something that I needed to do. It took a full day of travel and upon landing it was an immediate culture shock. We were told we couldn’t drink the water. Only bottles of water would be used. In the hotels we stayed in there were canisters of water that we would fill our water bottles up with. We were to use that water to drink , brush our teeth , and wash our face. We were also not able to flush the toilet tissue. Coming from America, not having any phone service might have been the biggest shock to me. You adjust quickly, so once I did I it was nice to be unplugged.
Lets rewind, why was I here ?
The program needed a nurse in case of allergic reactions, stomach, aches, scrapes, scratches, etc. I was fortunate that I did not have to pay for anything which was the only reason I was able to accept this opportunity.
Now, lets get to the work.
We always had a first aide kit for the day. Most of the day I was terrified watching the kids play. The whole environment was a safety hazard to me . Soccer being played on a cement ground, kids running and jumping chasing each other through a construction site and rusted nails laying around amongst other things that were their norm. Their school was the center of their community and their playground. Construction would not stop them. Their instincts were amazing and they were so tough. Growing up the way they do I suppose they don’t have any other option.
A lot of the construction is done by hand. We hauled rocks, sand, and cement in wheel barrows for the other workers to mix with water with a shovel to make the finished cement to create the floor for the classroom. This was a complete workout for me. In my mind I’m constantly saying “For the kids, for the kids, all for the kids” lol. I struggled. I’m not sure what I thought it would be like, but it was definitely a lot of manual labor. We painted , painted and painted some more. My arms, hands, and feet ached at the end of the day. I almost thought I was getting carpal tunnel. However, at the end of the day it was also the most satisfying exhaustion I’ve ever felt. But between the work and complaining in my head, we played. We experienced the real lives of the families in these communities. I was spoiled living in America. Most of you reading this are spoiled and have no clue what other people’s lives are like. How grandparents walk up and down steep mountains for supplies to take care of their family, how they survive on tortillas and tamales alone, how these children laugh and are so happy despite the struggle that their life is, how a family of 5 will share a one “bedroom” hut. The people that I had the pleasure of meeting work so hard, and when I say work I mean WORK ! Everyone has their struggles, but shit gets so much worse. We are blessed with simplest things we take for granted and just being born in this country.
I thought I was going to help these children, be a blessing to them. I always told myself that you need to use your blessings to bless others. I thought this was what I was signing up for. I was wrong. I didn’t know I signed up for these children, for this community to change me. I didn’t know I signed up for my perspective on life to change. I didn’t know I signed up for more.
