After weeks of planning, the Austin Samaritans, led by Dr. John Doty, flooded into clinica Funjofudess today to provide not only general health care but also to screen women in the community for cervical cancer and its precursors. The doctors, nurses and interpreters entered the clinic and presented their willing hands to the clinical staff-- a gesture I know the staff appreciated. From the very beginning, it was obvious that they day was not about paternalism or trying to pull people out of the dirt, but rather cooperation and walking hand in hand to create change.
I had the pleasure of interpreting for Dr. Lane and Nurse Earline, as we saw the three major complaints in Chureca: respiratory, dermatological and gastrointestinal. By the end of the day we had seen so many patients that I knew the prescription dosage for bronchitis in two year olds by heart and was admittedly a little worn out. Nonetheless, Lane and Earline never slowed down and were ready for more. I thank them for their hearts, their hands and the love that they showed the community in La Chureca.
In 3 and a half hours the clinic staff, Manna Project and the Austin Samaritans saw 12 gynocological and almost 20 general cases, in addition to completely restocking our pharmacy and bringing countless smiles. It was a good day.
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