Honduras, Central America.
I feel so lucky to have stumbled upon this program. I arbitrarily decided to attend an MCAT review session in which a representative from the company INQUARTA spoke and passed out brochures. In the corner of the brochure, there was a link to Global Medical Brigades. I don't know what my expectations were, for it was like a vague dream that I was working towards. I didn't know what I was doing, as I felt like a blind person trying to guide. I went down the check-list provided, knowing there was so much more to it. I felt inadequate, doubtful, and bothered. No matter what we tried, we could not get doctors. We applied for a grant, but were never able to contact the company. Things were looking dire, but with the encouragement and support from Steve, GMB west coast representative, we were convinced that we could do more with determination than we could with defeat. We shared passion and a common goal: to distribute health care to those living in impoverished areas of Honduras. Soon enough, things started to fall into place in the last few weeks with medicine and medical donations, as well as the successful purchase of airline tickets (thanks to the hard work of my teammates).
It didn't hit me that we were actually going until we were on the plane. Even then, I didn't fully realize what a miracle it was. It was such a life-changing experience because of how amazing the Global Medical Brigades program is. That along with the team that I had-for I could not have asked for a better one-allowed the trip to reach its full potential. They were all hard-working, optimistic, and good sports. We all got along great, and I wish I could preserve everything that made up this trip to save for later. We were spoiled, for we stayed in a newly built facility in the compound, were served spectacular food, supplied plenty of clean drinking water, had laundry done for us free of charge, and had a personal driver drive us around in a comfortable tour bus.
Even after talking with others about the brigades and seeing plenty of pictures, being there was a whole different story. To any normal person looking from the intake to triage and triage to pharmacy, he or she would see chaos.. in Spanish. Within the chaos, however, there resided learning, improvements, communication, and connections. Giving the people of the village what they needed health-wise, as well as just interacting with them alone, was incredibly fulfilling and indescribable. In 48 hours, we impacted the lives of 1,411 people on our first two brigades. The traveling with barely any sleep, the sweat and mosquitoes, the nights spent counting, packing, and labeling pills, were finally all worth it.
I learned so much about myself and other things outside of myself than I ever have or ever thought I would. It's like thinking the earth is all there is, and then suddenly learning that there is a whole entire universe that stretches far beyond what your little mind can even imagine; that our world is only "a speck within a speck on a speck." It's a rush, it's a thrill, it's a high, and it's what I live for. Moments like that, places like Honduras, people like those I was working with and for, people that are self motivated and have good hearts-these are the things I live for.
Among the many bus rides, I would sit and stare out the window and think about how I was enjoying every second of the experience. I could not imagine anywhere else I'd rather be, and I thought about how amazing it made me feel, and how great the essence of the whole trip was. It was hot and humid, but being frazzled all the time was almost refreshing-and we embraced it. Although the rain was late this year, it did begin drizzling one night, and it was beautiful. Hands down, the nights in Honduras are my favorite. They actually feel like what summer should really be: cool yet still warm, quiet and calm under a deep blue night sky..Sounds of crickets, footsteps crunching on the gravel, and fans buzzing in the night. Looking out the window to see miles and miles of endless green, endless trees, and endless hills. We each desperately wanted to inhale and soak it all in, and to store each sight, every feeling, smell, taste, emotion, experience, all inside a box and lock it up for later admiration.
My only wish is to have everyone experience Honduras. To really taste it, to know what it feels like and how it makes you feel, how it changes you. You think you know exactly what to expect because it's all written down on paper, the experiences people have and the type of people they see. You see numbers and figures and you say, "Wow that's impressive." But you don't truly know the gift of giving and helping another human life. The satisfaction from the impact you have after you leave is like leaving your fingerprint on the world. Each action has an opposite or equal reaction, like a ripple effect across the pond. My group and I were fortunate enough to be a part of this movement. It's liberating, it's worthwhile, and it's the essence of life. Global Medical Brigades is truly your way to impact the world, so take advantage of it.
P.S. i love honduras.