inspiration & motivation

Yesterday I made my second trip to the tiny community of El Ojoche (near the northern border with Honduras) with several other staff here for a meeting with community leaders, and later a tour of a "Centro de Salud" in the largest city in the area, Somotillo.

First, the quotes that stuck with me from the meeting of CHE program leaders in the area:

“We are not helpless—we DO have resources.”

“Yes, there are problems, but with God’s help and the CHE program, we ARE moving forward.”

“We are not here to just make believers but disciples.”

These sound like nice sound bites, but what they represent is evidence of real worldview shifts that have happened in these leaders’ lives, which they are now imparting and living out as they walk alongside their communities promoting preventative health, social change, and spiritual development among the people. They believe in what they are doing—they believe in the potential of the communities they serve—they believe in the power of the gospel. As always, I was incredibly inspired to be with Nicaraguans with such an intense level of commitment to the transformation of the lives of others.

Now, to the hospital visit. Because FHI will be receiving quite a few donations of medical equipment and medicine this coming year, we were visiting to determine the needs of this facility—and as the process moves forward, it will be my job to track what happens, and what kind of impact we have on the situation there.

So, the Centro de Salud is more than a clinic, but not quite a full-fledged hospital. It was my first time in any medical facility here in Nicaragua, and it was unbelievable. The place is supposed to be able to service a population of 30,000 people with a staff of 60 (just 12 of which are doctors), a pharmacy with the resources of a corner store, and the bare bones of infrastructure. Totally unsanitary. One antiquated x-ray machine. No intercom system. No restricted area. No operating room. One ambulance that often cannot be used, meaning pregnant women in need of operations travel in trucks more than an hour south to Chinandega. And of course, lots of unfulfilled promises of support from the local mayor.

Even though I was shocked by what I saw, the picture now ingrained in my mind is more than sufficient to remind me why I am here and why my work matters.