Day 3 & 4: March 12 and 13, 2020

Finally, we started “actual work” and got to start treating patients. Just kidding… it felt a lot less like work and more like spending time doing what we love! In the mornings we drove to a neighboring town to work in Las Obras, a long-term care facility for adults and children with disabilities. After splitting up into smaller groups, we spent time feeding and doing therapy with the residents. In the best room (the pediatric gym), some of the highlights were engaging the kids in play, making wheelchair adjustments on the fly, and getting hands-on (and body) facilitation practice with the patients. Some of the top moments in the adult rooms were interacting with the local therapists and students, refining cross cultural skills, and learning a few new Spanish swear words.

In the afternoons, we hosted health fairs for the local communities in a medical clinic and school. We had various educational stations including blood pressure screening, nutrition, pregnancy and infant care, women’s health, falls prevention, orthotics, oral care, and hygiene. Plus, we saw a variety of patients for short consult sessions. The participants made out like bandits with much appreciated donated items including fruit, toothbrushes, soap, washcloths, feminine hygiene kits, toys, and more! Mothers even received baby blankets that were hand crocheted by one of the student’s 97-year old neighbor! We loved getting to meet the community and gawk over babies. Most of all, we enjoyed watching a leader call off the balcony into the square to recruit participants. And she was very successful!

In the evenings, we have roamed town, bargained in the markets, and enjoyed awesome comida típica de Guatemala (typical Guatemalan cuisine)! We even enjoyed a meal with the speech students from UNC. Hopefully you will hear from us tomorrow if we make it back from hiking a volcano. Buenas noches!

Here is a Haiku inspired by our lovely city of Antigua.

A cobblestone street

Leads to a flower filled square

That smells of sweet bread.

Karla & Shelby