Volunteer Harper Spell distributes medicine to local children in Guatemalan schools
Here’s the latest from our volunteers in the field: Fayetteville Academy in Guatemala! Impact Global Health Alliance
Sophie Brooks, 6-10-2014
Today we went to a school. We gave the kids medicine and taught them about properly washing their hands. Most of the kids were so shy but they all loved having their pictures taken. Later we went to a local bread shop, and after that we played with the kids. They loved trying to repeat words we said and were fascinated by the “chicanos”. Playing with the kids and seeing how happy they were with how little they had and how they could easily find a game in anything was eye-opening. It puts things in perspective and makes me more grateful for the the things that I do have.
Harper Spell, 6-11-2014
Today we did more medical work at a school in Biltac. We passed out different vitamins to the kids and helped Dr. Graham with several prenatal checkups. One woman had a baby with a fever that was so severe that it was causing him to have seizures. There was nothing anyone could do to help without a hospital and the mother was panicking. It was a huge reality check for most of us because back in the US we would normally just take the baby to the doctor. All Dr. Graham could do was give him Motrin for his fever. This has been a truly humbling experience for me and I cannot wait to see what else the rest of this journey will bring.
Nora Henry, 6-12-2014
Today we went to another school and gave kids vitamins and other pills. We took pictures with them and played with them. Then, we played a soccer game against the Impact Global Health Alliance Guatemala team. Everyone in Guatemala seems so happy and friendly, even though they don’t have much. I learned earlier in the week that people, even pregnant women, have to walk 3.5 hours just to get to the supermarket. I realized how fortunate I am and how much I have, including the things I take for granted. I am really glad to have come on this trip. It has been really fun but also made me realize how lucky I am.
Holden Ammons, 6-12-2014
Today we went to a school and passed out medicine and vitamins and that was really cool. Then we had some really good chicken and ramen for lunch before going to play the Impact Global Health Alliance Guatemala staff in soccer. We actually played pretty well and held our own for awhile. Then, with the help of two of them we ended up winning. For dinner we had some amazing steak with phenomenal potatoes and beans. It all made for a great day. One of my favorite days from this trip, and the last one!
David Vaughan, 6-15-2014
Today we woke up at 5:20 am to climb up the Vulcan San Pedro. First we had to cross Lake Atitlan. The journey up the volcano started out pretty easy but got slowly harder because it got more steep. When we got to the top of the volcano we were all tired and worn out from the 4 hour hike that we had just finished. We sat at the top and enjoyed the view of the lake before starting the easier journey back down. We went from approximately 6,000 ft above sea level (1,825m) to nearly 10,000 feet (3,025m). After we got to the bottom of the volcano we returned to Panajachel where we had dinner at Baltazar’s Restaurant. After dinner we went shopping at the local venders and enjoyed being able to bargain, something that doesn’t happen in US stores.
Signing Off for Impact Global Health Alliance, this is David Vaughan.
Check out our blog for more information on Fayetteville Academy’s Volunteer Trip to Guatemala.
To learn more about our Volunteer Program, contact us at [email protected]
