September 9, 2010
Today was much more exciting than yesterday. I went back to the clinic with Carter to do interviews about maternal mortality. We interviewed the family of a 15 year old girl who died 12 days after giving birth. Although that is a sad situation, the mother of the girl (age 30) was able to give us important information that could ultimately contribute to a change. We also interviewed a doctor and a nurse and they gave us valuable information that will also be utilized in Carter’s project. When I say “we interviewed” I mean he asked the questions and I sat there and tried to understand 50% of what was going on. I noticed that it is easier for me to understand medical terms and health related things because so many of the words are similar. One of my favorite parts about being at the clinic is seeing all of the babies and little kids. They are so cute and I just want to take them all home with me. Since kidnapping is highly frowned upon, I will just have to enjoy looking at them when I am at the clinic.
After the interviews I went to the conference room next door to sit in on the end of Teresa’s presentation at a meeting with people from The Order of Malta. The Order of Malta is a Catholic order that works with Project HOPE to fund and manage the clinic. I will provide more accurate details about the relationship in a future blog so do not quote me on details about that. Teresa made me introduce myself to the people at the meeting and it was scary because I had to do it in Spanish and English. Normally I do not have a fear of public speaking but these are very important people and I get kind of embarrassed when I have to speak in Spanish to strangers. They were all very nice and encouraging so it wasn’t too bad.
Good news: I have internet in the house! Woohoo. It is great. Tomorrow I will be attending a meeting in the morning with Teresa and I will report back after that. I will probably not understand everything but I will hope to understand 50%.
Fun Facts:
1. The people from the Order of Malta had very nice cars parked outside the clinic. It is in a poor neighborhood so it was odd to see Mercedes and Lexus SUVs (with drivers chatting outside the parked cars) as part of the landscape. They also all dressed in fancy suits which also stand out in that neighborhood. See, I told you they were important (and quite wealthy I understand).
2. We were in a traffic jam today on a narrow street and we had to drive on the side walk because we literally couldn’t fit between the other cars. I wanted to take a picture but I was too nervous.
3. I have noticed that there is not very much cellphone etiquette here. The first day when we went to church I saw two women pick up their cellphones during the mass. Today during the meeting someone else answered the phone and I was the only one who was staring at him. Yesterday at the internet/phone store the customer service person answered a phone call and was texting or doing something on her phone while she was helping a customer. I didn’t get a phone that works yet so my cellphone etiquette has been fine.
4. The water worked all day today and I think all day yesterday too. Yay!
5. I saw a man chopping meat outside of a little store with a machete-like knife and then I noticed the head of an animal on his chopping block. It was quite disturbing but it was even worse when I looked on the other side of the street and saw four goats (alive) tied up. I like goat cheese (milk) not goat meat.
Peace,
Jaclyn
*Some Pictures*
Teresa and Carter interviewing a doctor who used to work at the clinic
Good marketing strategy. (FYI that is the outside wall of a store in case it is hard to see)
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