David and I are both going, and will serve as stewards to the needs of One World Surgery Center in Tegucigalpa. We will fly there today, and return the following Saturday night.
For now, we are packed and making our way there. 2 flights, the first to Miami. We packed what we were told to bring, plus many other things we thought we might need, plus many things we don’t need but don’t know it yet. It’s a big “unknown”. What will be important, and what won’t? We’ll find out soon enough.
The temperature in Honduras will range from 80 during the day to 60 at night. Nice, huh?! So it seems. I brought shorts, which means I had to shave my legs, and will do so for the sake of my vanity. That in itself may be the least of my worries.
We were told to bring our own eating utensils, bug spray, light blanket, and rain jacket, plus an assortment of other items. A flashlight, as the electricity shuts off at 8 pm every night. And snacks and packaged food “if your a picky eater”. They said to bring an (empty) water bottle, and fill it up only out of specific designated sources. Do not drink water out of the facet, or brush your teeth with it either, we were told. Or you’ll be sorry.
I was told I will be a designated Circulating Operating Room RN for the week. I don’t know what service I will be working with (ENT, Urology, General, Gynecology, or whatever services they will offer this week), but I will make it happen. That’s what OR nurses do.
David is classified as a General Volunteer, which means he may be cooking, doing yard work, helping the children in the neighboring Orphanage, as well as assisting in the Surgery Center (turning over rooms between cases, etc). We were told his duties may be different each day. It takes many General Volunteers to keep this Mission going! It’s open to the public, so if you happen to be reading this, you can go sometime, too. They have many brigades each year. Clinical volunteers are great, but General volunteers are needed to assist in a plethora of areas.
You may have heard the Department of State has issued warnings about traveling to Honduras. No need to worry, we are told. The One World Surgery Center (along with an Children’s Orphanage and Elderly Orphanage) is located on a well-fenced and 24/7 guarded “Ranch”, about a hour bus-ride away from the Airport. I suspect the bus-ride there is not on a highway? I don’t really know. Could be a bumpy ride, later today.
How did I come across this opportunity? I work for Stonebridge Surgery Center which happens to be partially owned by SCA (Surgical Care Associates), who is a huge sponsor for this Mission. This Medical Mission is open to SCA employees and their families, but (most) many of the brigades are open to the general public, as well. They just need help there, to help others less fortunate. If I’m correct, there may be up to 60 people participating/volunteering this week. Doctors, nurses, and people from all walks of life with a single mission and goal.
So as we make our way there, we left behind our farm in good hands. Between our daughter, Lauren and another young lady, Rosie (who lives nearby in Gunter), they will take care of our sweet animals. Setting things up on the farm to be gone for a week, was a feat in itself. I’ll miss that the most. My Barn Time. Petting, loving, feeding and cleaning many animals has become not only a way-of-life, but a passion. It rivals with the calming effects of yoga.
One thing I know for sure, is that we will travel by bus to the “Ranch” today. We are not to leave there at all, for the duration of this trip. We do not leave the compound, until we are taken by bus the following Saturday back to the airport. No souvenir shopping. Nor are we allowed to give the children (on-site) anything - or bring gifts. The organizers do not want the children there to think they will always get things each time people come to volunteer. There is a Wish-List for the Orphanage if any one of us wants to donate to it directly, and/or bring things for the “Ranch”. They run a tight ship there, with volunteers coming and going. David and I have found it to be highly organized, with impeccable communication to the attendees. They make it easy, and have policies and procedures set out in detail.
I’ll report more as I can. WiFi and cell service is another item I’m unsure about in Honduras.
Happy Saturday,
Cyndi
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