When asked about my most significant experience, I instantly know what experience has shaped my life the most.
My church takes an annual trip to Guatemala City; my sister and mother attended the year before and pushed me to attend the next year. Medical clinics are set-up based on the recommendation of a church missionary who resides in Guatemala City. After reading the prompt, I was instantly swept back to that amazing, life changing experience that took place in a beautiful foreign land.Day 1 : Settling in, winding down, preparing for tomorrow. Day 2: We load onto our bus and travel about an hour to set-up the clinic located n a church/school.
The people are so excited to see us. They greet us with hugs and smiles; it brings tears to my eyes. All the students here wear uniforms but that doesn't get them down. I would die if I had to wear the same outfit day after day; my clothes are Just one way to express myself. Even though I have taken one year of Spanish, I still can't understand what they are saying to me.
However, using a friendly smile to bridge the language barrier, all of the children come flocking. Working as a dental assistant, Oh my, I realize I have it way too good! I have all my teeth”straight and white. Their smiles are missing teeth, and we will be pulling more. They have a mouthful of cavities from years of not brushing. I can't do much for them, so I comfort the little kids when they are finished with the dentist.
Day 3: The second clinic is in a valley. Imagine this...
a major highway overpass that towers over two hillsides that converge upon a small river.The houses on these hillsides are made of sheets of metal on dirt flooring and are nearly stacked on top of one another. They have no running water; households share community bathrooms. We are working in a one-room schoolhouse with one door and bars (in place of glass) for windows.
When I walked into the clinic today, sitting in the middle of the room is a soccer ball. I don't notice that the ball is barely inflated. Despite the ball's quality, I take it outside and kick it around. I hope to take in the surroundings and learn how the people live.It doesn't take long before I am swarmed with children kicking the ball with me. I don't spend much time inside because I prefer playing with the kids.
While I'm keeping the children busy, the medical team attends to the needs of the multitude that makes their way to the clinic. The people have many respiratory complaints due to the overhead vehicle exhaust fumes and other ity air pollutants. I begin to recognize these people are able to maintain happiness and hope living in this impoverished community.Day 4: The team is at the clinic located beneath the city highway again. I am looking around when I notice three young boys, each carrying a five-gallon water Jug.
It suddenly hits me; they are carrying fresh water to their homes. Every day someone from each family makes the walk up the steep hillside to accomplish this chore. It isn't long before I am once again surrounded by children and we are playing soccer on a forty-five degree incline under the highway. We play while their parents wait for the doctor.
The kids take their turn with the doctor then come back to play some more. around every bend: material items are not the most important things in life, what is normal for one person is not normal for everyone, many people in the United States are wasteful, and a good day in the life of a Guatemalan student is considered a very rough day in the life of an American student. After a few days of seeing these kids it was hard to leave. I had grown to love the kids.
The trip continues to profoundly impact me. I look forward to the time I can return to Guatemala.
