Monday, May 16, 2016

GREAT STAGE IN OCOA!

It is so sad that our stage came to an end. This truly was the greatest experience, having the opportunity to work with a wide variety of people(patients) of all differents ages was very interesting.   I will cherish all the memories and I thank you my wonderful teachers for everything, for being so supporting at all times. Big thank you to Debbie, Kim, Danielle and Beverly!
all of us in that rainny day we were all ready to go do what we love!

some of the team ready to go work

Beautiful Mountains in Ocoa

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Great opportunity, thank you

As we learn, we can learn in a classroom or from experience. When you work with professionals like doctors, nurses, practical nurses and nurses aids, there is so much to gain through discussions and questions.

 There were 32 individuals (from Qc & Ontario) such as these, as well as others - teachers (in non-health care programs), a mechanic and a computer tech on this trip. We all came together to volunteer, and we worked well together, each sharing their knowledge, skills and know-how. It was amazing, we learned about ourselves, our team and about the Dominican people and culture. We are now in Santo Domingo, the students are completing their assignments and sharing the highlights of the experience for them. Thank you to our NFSB administrators for giving our team this opportunity.

Our team from CVCEC and 5 other Qc volunteers

Our larger team from Qc and Ontario

Friday, May 13, 2016

Tania



Today we had a pediatric clinic at a local school it was so fun getting to assess children , I'm really going to miss the people of the dominican. This trip has taught me how to appreciate everything I have, easily accessible health care, being able to get meds easily and having clean drinking water just to name a few because the list can go on and on. I would love to come back here and give my time to help people again. This is an experience everyone should have at least once in their life. 


Jessica

The day has come to an end and so did our clinics and I have to say I am sad it has ended. However, I have learned one important thing, be grateful for all the small things and be thankful that I have a good home and good people around me! I will be a lot more grateful!! This has been such an amazing experience and if I can get one wish is that I can do it all over again and perhaps inspire others to do the same

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Shelly Ann's Experience

Amazing, Wonderful, Beautiful are just a few words to use to describe this experience.  I am indeed grateful that I had the opportunity to be a part of such an extra-ordinary experience.  

From the moment we boarded the airplane at Trudeau Airport I anticipated that it would be an experience than none other in the tropics.  I must say that I did not enjoy the flight as we experienced a few turbulences that I was not thrilled about and therefore resorted to sleep in order to calm my nerves.

When we arrived at the airport in Santa Domingo, I was struck by a wave of heat and it was time for the sun screen and hat.  I was impressed on how the immigration officers warmly welcomed us into their country with such graceful hospitality.  The Dominican Republic is a beautiful country and the people are very pleasant and most of all I find them very family oriented.

Traveling from the airport in Santa Domingo to San Jose, Ocoa was about a two and a half hour drive on a well designed and comfortable tour bus.  During this time we enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the country and many of us captured some of the distinct land marks on our cell phones or ipads.  Dominican Republic can best be described for its green and luscious mountains.

It is quite amazing on how the water filtration system is set up with the numerous pipes in an effort to have clean water for the population which will help to prevent bacteria and disease.

Upon arrival at the compound, we are greeted by the hostesses and received an official welcome afterwards.  The compound is beautiful and the paint on the external walls is very colorful and bright.
The rooms are spacious"BUT"....... I was greeted by a "Salamander".  I am not very fond of any thing that crawls so needless to say, I was not a happy camper.  Thankful to one of my colleagues, she came to my rescue.  Thank You J...

We had the opportunity to tour the hospital, rehab centre, nursing home, vaccination clinic among other places and spoke with various individuals who were able to give us a much clearer insight on how procedures are handled in their institutions.  This makes me think of how privileged we are to be exposed to the kind of health care system that we have in Canada.

We are placed in groups to work in clinics in different locations and also nursing home and community visits.  The nursing home was an awesome experience, we shaved the patients and it was such a joy to see how happy and contented they were.

I enjoyed the clinics that I went to and also the kind of work that I was permitted to do.  I had the opportunity to do assessments at two clinics and donations at one.  I loved the assessments and the interactions with the people who are very warm and friendly.  Sometimes it is difficult for the patients to express themselves fully to me but with the help of our amazing translators who translated for me, I was able to understand their health concerns.

I find it quite moving when I worked at the donations table and individuals/families came and we distributed the items.  The joy on the faces of adults, youth and kids gave me a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment and made me think of my initial reason in wanting to be a part of this trip.  "The Ability to Help Others, Who Are Unable to Help Themselves."   I feel that I can now go back home with a greater sense of satisfaction and much appreciation knowing that I can continue to make a significant impact in the lives of others, by starting with "One person at a time".  This is an awesome experience that will live on and treasure for a lifetime.!!!!  




Ocoa Experience

This trip has been such an amazing experience so far!  Watching the residents faces light up when they got the right persciption glasses or when you gave them donations was very heart warming! The residents are very greatful for us to be here and helping them as much as we can.  This trip has definitely be a life changing experience!  :)

Amazing

Again, today was another amazing day of clinic worked donations table half and then assessments the other half and if I can say one thing I learned today is that as a Quebec peraon,  we have so much and we are by far more than lucky to have the things we do and we really need to take time and reflect upon  it and realize while we are drinking a glass of cold purified water in our comfy home with ac sitting on a cozy couch in a safe environment, we are very fortunate and I stand as very thankful for the things I have that someone might not have the fortune to have! This trip has made me very grateful and I am happy to say I have so much respect for these people!

lindseys experince

This is my first blog update since I have been in Ocoa. The experience has been amazing there are no words that can express how this trip has been I just keep saying AMAZING. The people are wonderful here I love working with them at the clinics. I have learned so much on this experience not just in the nursing profession but with myself.....I dont want this experience to end.


Last mountain clinic

So today was our last day of clinic up in the mountains. It was a good day filled with great people.  I'm going to miss this, such a relaxing environment to work in.

Los Martinez

Wow, what a great day, we set up under a mango tree, for our assessments, and provided treatments, medications, and donated goods in a nearby classroom. The other Qc participants had a good day too. The views were spectacular.  Debbi
 What a beautiful setting
 Tania and Lindsey Under the Mango tree, so nice and always a breeze

 Our lunch, some of it cooked on an open fire, the chicken had parts we don't usually use, like chicken feet!

 Tamara and Sheila happy a little one took their meds
 Shelly Ann giving away many donations given to us! Thank you again everyone!
 Barbara Whyte seeing a family, under the tree

Luzbita has been great, her ability to speak Spanish has been such a help.

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Hola from Danielle!


A friendly, competitive(!) game of dominos at the local nursing home. The students learned quickly!




Some foot rubs and polish for the ladies....

 A shave for the gents! Everyone was happy!



Kim's blog

Appreciated our day at the nursing home! 
This is where Mom shines! She loves working with the elderly.
We can all learn from her. You are amazing Mom!


Nursing home

Another good day, we visited the rehab centre, seeing the importance of physical and occupational therapy for clients. Then off to the nursing home, shaved the patients, gave hand and foot care, and even played ball with a beach ball. We learned how to play domino's, a popular Dominican game. The Izzy dolls are such a hit, loved by young and old. The students are such good sports, ready and willing to help out anywhere. Enjoy the photos.






Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Happy Birthday Jesse

We had a special birthday tonight!

Day 6 Clinic

This was my oldest patient 95 years old. It was a special moment when I put the correct glasses on and she could see better. She was so appreciative!
It is why I keep coming back. I am enjoying sharing these experience with our wonderful students.

A Little bit of my experience in Ocoa

My first days of stage as a LPN (licensed practical nurse) in San Jose de Ocoa is going great, I like working with people, I always said that I wanted to help people and I think I found the right path. The experience doing assessment for the first time was a great one. People in the Dominican Republic are easy to know, humble with a warm heart and they really appreciate everything we do for them. I am enjoying every moment of this great opportunity and experience, in a rainy day or a hot day I am ready to go.




Barriers of communication. - Jesse Zidle

Earlier today, I would've said that communication was so dependant on language, but I see it in a whole new light. It isn't the base, it acts more as a catalyst to ease us into understanding. After long, hot hours of few words, mixed together with a lot of pointing, and looking for the looks of happiness when they finally got their various messages across, I can, with confidence, say that we can accomplish oh so much without speech.

During the first few hours of the clinic I had the luxury of uninterrupted access to the a translator, the day was going slowly and it was rather boring. The translator I was using to help me then went on to help others with the assessments so I had two choices: wait for him to come back and help me, or forge on ahead and do my best. It may have taken hours, but by the end of the day I was wholly independent (minus the teacher making sure I wouldn't be overwhelmed). I was able to help an amazing grandmother and her grandchild with the multitude of problems thatthey were afflicted with, and I even managed to make a real connection with them.

Well, I've been going long and everyone is demanding me to come for cake (happy birthday me ^_^). So I'll leave with this: this trip is amazing and I'm beyond ecstatic to have been given the opprtunity to come along.

Kim's students working hard


Kim's day at clinic

Many local people waiting for our arrival

Today's clinic

So today we had clinic up in the mountains, It was a bumpy ride in the back of a truck but the view made up for the ride.

Clinic #2

Clinic #2 it was amazing I was working the medicine table and it was definitely an experience to remember!! The trip is going by so fast, try and savour each and every moment!

Arroyocana

Super day in Arroyocana, about 1 1/2 hours from Ocoa. We saw Dominican and Haitian families. Even a cluster of Chicken-pox cases. Wonderful day!


Monday, May 9, 2016

Today

Today was house visits, we went to little suburbs and knocked on the local's doors and asked if they wanted a health assessment done, it was truly one of the best experiences I've ever had! Not only did I surpass my own personal goals but I and the team made some people really happy!! I am looking forward to doing this again!

Flooding in the region, we are fine

We were just told that the Canadian Ambassador called our compound to make sure the Canadian visitors are safe. We are, so rest assured we are dry. We have had 2 days of sun after two days of heavy rain. Some homes in the region were washed away, so it makes us appreciate our climate in Canada, and our solid building standards. We are thankful.  Debbi

Beautiful

A beautiful day here in Ocoa!  Did home visits this morning,  what an amazing experience,  the residents are so thankful that we are here to help!  

Saturday, May 7, 2016

El Limon

Well we did manage to get home safe and sound, whew were we ever wet. What a great day, our team worked well together. We saw many families with adorable children. We saw one month old babies to 80 year old folks. Our students practiced their skills very well.
Three photos of travel on the trucks and two from our clinics.
Debbi

First day of assessments

First day of assessments done and wow! It was awesome!! Need to brush up on some Spanish but hey it was a good day!! And we where in a remote place up high high in the mountains and we legit had to leave because it's raining like crazy and the roads get washed out! We got soaked on our ride home now drying off and waiting for supper than church!!

Girl at work