Clinic Update

During our time in Santa Cruz we were able to reflect on the 3 days spent in Palacios at CMHP; the surveys and diabetes education we conducted revealed that many patients both with and without diabetes lack the basic knowledge to help manage or prevent the condition. Ashley, Brooke, and I, therefore, decided to create a presentation for patients to teach healthy eating, exercise, and give an overview of what diabetes is, including causes and symptoms. Yesterday (Wednesday) we gave the presentation to a full crowd and ended with a bang by distributing a healthy version of "Sopa de Mani," a peanut vegetable soup, that we cooked ourselves with ingredients selected at the market in Buena Vista. Buena Vista, or "Good View," was not named arbitrarily; the view from a local hotel speaks for itself (see pictures below).

After conducting our presentation we continued educating patients how to take medications with patients and offered general advice. A soccer game afterward helped release some of the bundled energy from sitting much of the day. A tour later in the afternoon also revealed that on clinic grounds there are coffee, papaya, guineo (banana-like), and zucchini-like squash plants that are harvested. In fact, Don Pepe prepared some coffee this morning (Thursday) after roasting some beans from the clinic last night; it was delicious.

Today (Thursday) was our last day at the clinic and we got an early start. After an insanity workout I was ready to tackle the day. Much to our surprise, however, there ended up not being many patients due to it being the Holy Week, or Semana Santa. Fortunately, we were able to fill most of the room and delivered our diabetes address, ending with the distribution of our delicious soup.

Having said our good-byes to the wonderful people at CMHP (Don Pepe, Doña Mumi, Ariana (their adorable grand-daughter), and others) we headed back to Santa Cruz for a relaxing evening before Ashley and Brooke head back to the states in the morning. WHAT?! Yep, they're leaving tomorrow morning, this trip went by way too fast.

More details about our experience are to come, but for now we are going to head back into town for one last visit of Santa Cruz.

Chao,

Marc

(All pictures were taken with patient permission)

Buena Vista

Seeing patients

One of the beetles that may cause Chagas (at the clinic!)

Colin with Chagas teaching supplies

Marc with a patient in the clinic education room reviewing medications

Ashley and Marc with our patient

Buena Vista!

Eggs for our Dutch baby dinner (feathers attached-they were so fresh)

The team!

Unbelievable views

Bargaining for fruit

Buena Vista dinner with Kara, one of the coordinators for the clinic

Our favorite gecko friend

Sopa de Mani

Coffee!