I just got back from
my first medical mission.
I went as part of the
I went as part of the
International Children's Heart Foundation
(ICHF)
In Guayaquil, Ecuador
It was more challenging
than I EVER could have imagined.
In Guayaquil, Ecuador
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| Guayaquil from the Hotel |
than I EVER could have imagined.
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| The Hospital |
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| During one looooong case we improvised with an NG tube and I drank some much needed sugar! |
It was a lot to get used to:
-working in a less-than, state-of-the-art facility
-working very, very, long hours
- in foreign language
-with people from around the world
-Including local people with varying amounts of knowledge and understanding.
Despite these challenges,
It was
also very rewarding.
It wasn't all work and no play either
As a team,
we made the most of our, limited, time off.
We even took a trip to the beach.
(Las Playas, Ecuador)
It wasn't very sunny but the southern pacific ocean was nice and warm!
-working in a less-than, state-of-the-art facility
-working very, very, long hours
- in foreign language
-with people from around the world
-Including local people with varying amounts of knowledge and understanding.
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| Some of the ICHF Team! |
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| The Canadian Nurses! |
It was
also very rewarding.
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| Some of the kids and their parents at the Farewell party! |
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| A very happy family! |
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| Such a nice and happy patient! |
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Another happy patient!
|
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| Another happy patient and Momma! |
As a team,
we made the most of our, limited, time off.
We even took a trip to the beach.
(Las Playas, Ecuador)
It wasn't very sunny but the southern pacific ocean was nice and warm!
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| Heading to the beach! |
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| Coconuts for sale!:) |
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| The Team chill axing! |
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| Las Playas, Ecuador |
Beach front walk, Las Playas, Ecuador
During our beach trip
we had a beautiful, casual, seafood lunch:
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| Cheers to Ecuador! |
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| So yummy! |
We also saw an orchid garden/ green house
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| Beautiful Orchids! |
One evening
we finished our day in the early evening and took advantage of this:
Sightseeing
we finished our day in the early evening and took advantage of this:
Sightseeing
Downtown Guayaquil.
Compared to the area our hospital was located
It is very, very nice!
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| Downtown Guayaquil |
The Riverfront walk is especially beautiful!
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| Monument on the riverfront walk |
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| Me on the Riverfront walk, Guayaquil |
The old hilly section of Guayaquil was my favourite!
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| I love the colourful houses and windy streets! |
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| Me and two ICHF team members! |
To get to the top of the hill
we had to climb many stairs...
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Each corner was more beautiful than the next!
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| My lovely team members and tour partners |
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| Yen, Angela, Louis, and Darby |
On top of the hill
was a lighthouse, a quaint church, and beautiful view of Guayaquil.
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| Hill top, Guayaquil, Ecuador |
This mission was an experience!
It challenged me in many ways, but I feel better for it.
Seeing the kids feeling, oh so much, better was wonderful
And
I was lucky to meet many wonderful team members
whom I hope to work with again sometime soon!
Currently
I am home in Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada
(For about two weeks)
And
Dorthy said it right
"There's no place like home"
Angela - what an amazing experience! I enjoyed hearing little updates from Nathan while you were there, he seemed a little worried at times with your long days in the ER, but what an impact you made with all your hard work.
ReplyDeleteHope to see you back in KC soon!
Thanks Lauren! I will be back a week from today!
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