Hola Todos! We are very sorry for the delay in the recent blog. We didn't have any internet service yesterday. This was supposed to be sent yesterday around 3ish...

Hi Everyone! Since the last update, we have been quite busy. Yesterday afternoon, we visited the orphanage, truly an amazing experience. As soon as we walked in the gate, we were greeted with hugs and smiles from all the children. I immediately found myself holding the most adorable little eight year old girl who did not let go of me the entire time we were there. It was incredible to see how happy and welcoming they all were, given everything they have gone through. Even though we were only there for an hour, our visit really brightened their day and it was extremely difficult to say goodbye. After the visit to the orphanage, we had dinner and then headed out for a competitive game of basketball against another group from Kansas (Go Quakers!). Although the first half we were a bit rusty, by the second half we definitely came back a bit. We came back to the hotel tired, but some of us still had energy to run in the pool and do an ab workout! Needless to say we were more than a little tired this morning, but were all set to go out to another batey. I worked as a scribe to one of the doctors, which was a great learning experience. It was eye opening to see how many people had simple medical problems like headaches that would be a quick fix in the U.S. but had gone on for months because of the lack of medical resources. At the same time, I feel like the work we are doing is making a small, but tangible difference in these people’s lives. This trip has been an amazing experience and I wish we could stay for longer to help out even more. Hope everyone is doing well back home!

--Molly S


This trip has been absolutely amazing. It is truly a humbling experience seeing all these people. For example, the first day Kirk and I took blood pressures of all the patients. After seeing so many BP over 200, we were ecstatic to see normal BP and we were so enthusiastic when telling them that they were in great health. Needless to say, they were equally as thrilled. However, there were countless people with BP that were in the not-so-great range. When earnestly asked, “Is my BP okay?” (in Spanish of course!) when it wasn’t, it was extremely difficult to answer. We tried to reassure them as best as possible. It’s heartbreaking to see that these people have so little when we have so much. When you see the children laughing and playing and hugging us, and the adults begging for reassurance, all you want to do is give them everything you have. As we worked in the pharmacy, we all came to the realization that a tiny pill of advil can go so far, yet this is the only bit of medication they will get in a long time.
Today, a few of us gave out glasses to people, many of whom desperately needed them. I cannot even begin to explain the feeling you get when you see the widest of smiles stretch across their face when they are finally granted the gift of sight, something they have lived without for so long. It is so rewarding to help someone, and so devastating when we have to say no. The children are unbelievable; so open, so genuine, so happy despite all that have been through. This was especially prominent when we visited the orphanage. The person who ran the orphanage said that she had been praying for people like us to come and play with the children, and we were “answers to her prayers.” I cannot even begin to explain how rewarding it is to help someone. I just wish more people in the world would do this!

--Jenna


Hi everyone! The weather is awesome down here, right now I am sitting in the sun (with sunscreen on of course) and it’s about 82 degrees out. Other than the gorgeous weather we are having, I am having the time of my life. This is my second time out of the country and it has been such a positive experience. I really hope that they will offer this trip next year so I can have a chance to come back.
The first day we arrived I was really nervous, but after a fun time with a few natives and a one year old girl I relaxed completely. Although there is a language barrier here, it is still very easy to communicate with those that speak either Spanish of Creole. I take Spanish at school and it has been very fun to use my skills here, although there have been a few times where I have said phrases that were blatantly wrong. All in all, it has been so much fun working as a scribe, a pharmacist, and taking blood pressure. The orfanage was a great experience and all of the people here have been extremely nice and understanding, especially when I mistakenly said “yo puede” instead of “yo puedo.” ☺ Thank you so much to everyone who donated and made this trip possible. Now I don’t want to leave!

--Zoe