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ADIOS, EL SALVADOR!

Photos of the grounds at Centro Salesiano Ayagualo

Last Breakfast: omelette, mixed vegetables with sausage in sauce, and bread

Dr. Ismael Castellon sings us a song.

Dr. Castellon is an awesome singer.  As soon as I figure out how to upload video to You Tube that will be available for your listening pleasure!

Kenzie Jones and me

Kenzie was the youngest volunteer on the Medwish Brigade.  When asked what she liked best about the brigade, she replied, "EVERYTHING!"

Dr. Castellon, myself and Magda Lanuza

Dr. Castellon runs the clinic in Zaragosa.  Magda is the manager in Latin America for community develoment projects.  She has been our fearless leader here in El Salvador. She arranged a tour of one of the hospitals and a tour of the nutrition center.
Muchas gracias Dr. Castellon y Magda!

Dr. Ismael Castellon and truck loaded with supplies.

Our time in El Salvador is drawing to a close. We have met many new people and made new friends. I packed up the left over supplies last night for Clinica Zaragosa. The clinic is run by Dr. Ismael Castellon. The items are greatly appreciated!

One section of the compound where we are staying

Magdalena, Sister Pacita and Sara

These are some of the womem who provide a comfortable setting here at Centro Salesasiano Aguayalo

Okay, my blog has gone hay wire and I do not know why a blog I made the first day is now showing up today. So, bear with me:). I am at the compoind by myself with the muns. I had enough driving around in the bus today, and opted to stay behind instead of going to the beach. It is really quiet and peaceful here with everyone gone, except the nuns. They were so cute this evening, They invited me to eat with them. But, I thanked them and told the I wasn't hungry. I am still full from the late lunch, which was awesome. We had chicken and cheese burritoes, salad and steamed vegetables.

Sorting Supplies in El Salvador

We have arrived and made it through customs.  One sidebar..if you want to get through customs with many suitcases of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals they expect a bribe or i mean fee.  After paying a $1700
Fee we were able to clear customs.  Arrived at compound around 540 and had dinner.  The ayaguela is beautiful.

El Salvador's Version Of The Memphis Kiddie Park - Lilly this photo is for you:)

Woman Cutting Fruit

I Enlisted In The Salvadorian Army and I Am Now A Medic

Soaking It All In

Reaching The Top

Better Section Of Trail Going Up

Making Friends With The Local Militia

Started hiking up and ran into the military doing repelling drills.  Actually, today we were going to go zip lining, but once we sat it, we thought better of it; especially after the earthquake. 

Medwish Brigade Hiking Up To Puerta del Diablo

After about a 30 minute bus ride, we arrived at Puerta del Diablo.  This is a spot where you can hike up about 20 minutes and there is the most awesome view.  I think Puerta del Diablo brings you closer to God, as you are at a fairly high altitude.

Breakfast: Corn tamale, pureed beans, bread, and jelly

One section of Centro Salesiano Ayagualo

Magdalena, Hermana Pacita, and Sara

These were some of the ladies who helped make our stay at Central Salesiano Ayagualo comfortable.  This is a very nice place to stay.  The afternoons are filled with gentle breezes blowing through the trees, and the birds fill the air with music.

The 2012 Medwish Brigade is almost over. I am sad to see it coming to an end. I need to correct some of my numbers, as to how many people we saw during the brigade. We saw 275 patients on Monday, 375 on Tuesday, and 673 on Wednesday, which included the 2 house calls. YES, Medwish Doctors make house calls! We provided needed medical care to small infants to octagenarians. There were many people treated for worm, gastritis,infections, and a lot of simple comfort issues, such as Tylenol for headaches. We take for granted such simple things as if I have a headache, I just go to medicine cabinet and grab such pills. Can you imagine having a headache every day, and not having something as simple as an aspirin to take care of it? There were also some really intense cases, such as a woman who had Aids, and she was told this 5 years ago, and was still in denial. She was asking for a shot or pills and she had to be told that there is no cure. She said that she believd she had Aids because she had sinned against God and this was her punishment. Then, there were the children who were laughing and having fun getting their first examination or getting some needed dental care. One little boy needed a tooth pulled and so the dentist numbed him up. While she turned to get an instrument, he pulled the tooth out himself! I am so glad that I found this organization. It is truly a unique experience, and everyone worked so well together. Not even an earthquake, could dampen our spirits.I am already looking forward to the 2013 Medwish Brigade, wherever it may take me!

Stiil Standing

Medwish Brigade went to the town of Zaragosa for 3rd and final day of brigade.  644 patients were seen today, and that included several house calls.

Group shot outside school in Zaragosa 3rd day of brigade

Medwish had live entertainment on the brigade

Yes, I talked la policia into a ride!

Princessa

Last Photo of Donkey

This elderly woman wanted her picture taken so badly with Donkey, so I had to oblige.

Donkey is the Goodwill Ambassador of the Medwish Brigade

I'M STILL STANDING...

Okay, the earthquake was epicentered abour 11 miles from us. We are all okay!

Donkey getting his teeth brush

Anna teachijg students how to brush teeth

Sheldon and myself with our new friends

Police escort to village

Anna giving Spanish lessons the on van to our next village

Volunteering Is For Everyone!

This is a photo of Hedy, the oldest volunteer on our brigade.  Hedy is 75.  Our youngest volunteer is Mackenzie, and she has reached the ripe old age of 9!

Earthquake

This is my first post of the day, as I began to blog we had an earthquake.  All are ok.
But, this was an unexpected adventure.

Jackie and Jeff Ponsky

These are the parents of Medwish Founder Lee Ponsky.  Although, Lee was unable to make this brigade, his parents still participated and I have to congratulate them on raising such a fine son! 

Today's Lunch: Chicken, rice and salad.

Some of the children who received medical care at the Medwish Clinic

Scott controlling the flow of the line into the pharmacy.

I found a little princess!

The children loved making bracelets.

Arts and Crafts Area

Donkey gets his teeth brushed.

Rob on a stroll with his new friend.

Awesome Artists Proudly Show Their Work

Children coloring and waiting to get into the school/clinic to see doctor.

I set up again today outside the compound, so the children could have some fun and color, play frisbee, and play checkers while they waited.  I gave dental presentations and once again Donkey was a big hit!  i also showed the Mission Impossible Squirrel video, which made the children laugh.  If you don't know what that video is about, search You Tube and watch it.

Entering the gate to the school.

After we brought all the supplies inside the school, we began logistics of deciding where to set up intake, triage, etc.  The school was different from the one in Coralito1,
in that there was little shade and the arts and crafts area was going to be outside in the sun.  Luckily, we had a couple tarps to make the area behind the classoom shaded.