The organization that provides the donations for the Jamalpur site, Flowering Tree, is visiting in April to see things. So we have to compile a yearly report with what we have done this year. So I have been busy at work trying to put that together. It's actually been fun to do and see everything we have done so far, and I have decided to only do one class a day and finish this project over the course of the week instead of try to cram it in, so it hasn't taken over my life too much.
I went to Jamalpur today to work on the monthly report..I'll go work on the yearly report with the staff there next week once I have compiled and need their input to add to it. After putting the report together I went and visited the Muslim Tuition class. The kids are so great there. They all have learned the Gujarati alphabet in only the last 2 months, which is really impressive, and are much more well disciplined. They come to class on time, don't yell and scream out of turn, and even sit on their bottoms now! They were very happy to see me and all tried to impress me with their new demeanor, which I was very happy to see :)
I have also added a folder of all sorts of pictures of me teaching the students...if you want to see, take a look!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Street School Education Curriculum; India vs. Pakistan Match
I spent a couple hours today reviewing my ideas on the Street School Value-Based Education Curriculum that Maheshbhai is putting together. He emailed me a list of 22 values (respect, compassion, waste etc etc) and asked me to come up with activities to do to teach them. I had to think back to elementary school when we used to actually do fun activities...then also did some google searches to think of ideas. I think I got in a good variety - my list is very Western education like - lots of partner/group stuff and lots of crafts and drawing. But I think it provided a contrast to what the teachers here can offer to add so I think we work well together in this brainstorming. We spent 2 hours of me reading and explaining my activities and Maheshbhai translating...it was fun to have him on the other side of that! There was some minor complaining on his part of his hand cramping, how long it will take him to type this etc...I just smiled and told him he's telling the wrong person!
While I was doing this I got a call from my Masi reminding me to not go anywhere...the India vs. Pakistan cricket match is today (the World Cup) so basically everything in closed, and there is (as always) a fear of riots breaking out here in Ahmedabad. She was worried since I wasn't home on time that I went into the city. It seems that there is always a threat of riots in Ahmedabad...they even called in police from other states for today! So crazy...it's like a curfew outside, everyone is at home watching TV. This should be an interesting experience!
While I was doing this I got a call from my Masi reminding me to not go anywhere...the India vs. Pakistan cricket match is today (the World Cup) so basically everything in closed, and there is (as always) a fear of riots breaking out here in Ahmedabad. She was worried since I wasn't home on time that I went into the city. It seems that there is always a threat of riots in Ahmedabad...they even called in police from other states for today! So crazy...it's like a curfew outside, everyone is at home watching TV. This should be an interesting experience!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Basanti's follow-up visit...sort of
Today was very very tiring! Let me just say that it's not super hot yet, and doesn't even feel too bad, and then you feel sweat trickling from places you did not know you had pores, and you are now conscious of the temperature! This is new for me, but I'm getting used to it...that and showering 3 times a day...you don't even have to use the water heater because the water comes from the roof and it's hot enough on it's own!
So Basanti managed to somehow break a hole in the heel of her cast...it was so it was easier for her to walk...also something she is not supposed to be doing. You can tell she is a bit mischievous. Anyways, it was a long day getting them from the train station, waiting for things to get started at the hospital since it was 8am, going to the outpatient clinic (OPD), cutting in line, which I am morally against, but lugging around a 3 year old with a 2 kg cast I didn't feel so bad. The doctor asked why she broke the cast and that doesn't she understand that without the cast the correction won't get made...I looked at him, speechless, then replied that she is 3 so she doesn't understand anything more than play and fun, and he's like well she should know better. I was trying to not argue, laugh, or punch the guy...wasn't sure which emotion! Then we took her to get a mold made for a scoliosis cast...she was not happy having to lie on the table...her parents were not with us, just her older sister (who was 10) so she was all over upset! After that I got them settled in the ward to wait for the doctor who would change her cast and went home to shower and eat. They called me earlier than expected and said the doctor was ready to change the cast...of course the one time things happen on time. So I rushed back, we had to buy the bandages since the hospital was out (sounded shady but we went with it). The doctor had me help since no one else was there, and Basanti was not happy to let anyone near her, period. It was really easy and I couldn't understand why he was so pompous and arrogant about doing such a simple task (he was really rude to the RMF worker with Basanti before I came about following his instructions and not asking questions). But it got done with lots of plaster on me, but that works, I felt like I was back home, except plaster is better than spit and other such items. We got everyone food, and got them to the station. Basanti knew the minute she was done because her all day pasted frown was all smiles. Amazing how much children know and understand. Knowing I'm helping such poor children get something that is so simple yet will offer them something so great like the ability to walk makes all of the cranky doctors and buckets of sweat worth it!
So Basanti managed to somehow break a hole in the heel of her cast...it was so it was easier for her to walk...also something she is not supposed to be doing. You can tell she is a bit mischievous. Anyways, it was a long day getting them from the train station, waiting for things to get started at the hospital since it was 8am, going to the outpatient clinic (OPD), cutting in line, which I am morally against, but lugging around a 3 year old with a 2 kg cast I didn't feel so bad. The doctor asked why she broke the cast and that doesn't she understand that without the cast the correction won't get made...I looked at him, speechless, then replied that she is 3 so she doesn't understand anything more than play and fun, and he's like well she should know better. I was trying to not argue, laugh, or punch the guy...wasn't sure which emotion! Then we took her to get a mold made for a scoliosis cast...she was not happy having to lie on the table...her parents were not with us, just her older sister (who was 10) so she was all over upset! After that I got them settled in the ward to wait for the doctor who would change her cast and went home to shower and eat. They called me earlier than expected and said the doctor was ready to change the cast...of course the one time things happen on time. So I rushed back, we had to buy the bandages since the hospital was out (sounded shady but we went with it). The doctor had me help since no one else was there, and Basanti was not happy to let anyone near her, period. It was really easy and I couldn't understand why he was so pompous and arrogant about doing such a simple task (he was really rude to the RMF worker with Basanti before I came about following his instructions and not asking questions). But it got done with lots of plaster on me, but that works, I felt like I was back home, except plaster is better than spit and other such items. We got everyone food, and got them to the station. Basanti knew the minute she was done because her all day pasted frown was all smiles. Amazing how much children know and understand. Knowing I'm helping such poor children get something that is so simple yet will offer them something so great like the ability to walk makes all of the cranky doctors and buckets of sweat worth it!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Delay in Writing and General Health Camp
Sorry again for the delay! I had a week off because my cousin got married - lots of sweating and singing and dancing! - and then I went to Delhi to help my friend shop for her wedding, which was lots and lots of fun. It made me miss home a lot though seeing her and spending time with her family...but I'll be back soon enough!
The morning after I got back we had a general health camp at the community center in the Ramapir no Tekro. It was held on behalf of the Ahmedabad Medical Association. There were lots of doctors there - general, eye, ENT, skin, dental, surgeon, pediatrician. We got there early to setup, and put up lots of banners about preventative healthcare. When people came in they went to the registration table, had to say what they needed to be seen for, and in turn received a "case paper" with the doctor they had to see written on top. If they had multiple complaints, they got a different sheet for each. Then volunteers helped direct people to the right station. After that a volunteer at each station kept an eye in the room the doctor was in and had one person enter the room at a time. After each patient was seen they were directed across the way where medications were dispensed for free that were written by the camp doctors. It was chaotic! No one stayed in line, everyone budged then fought about it, they tried to enter multiple people at a time, and they wouldn't listen when we tried to direct them to the appropriate doctor! It was a zoo! But it was lots of fun and really great to see so many people getting their healthcare needs addressed. The doctors also took their time and seemed to actually enjoy helping these people. I loved seeing the people fight over their turn...it showed me their passion for healthcare...or at least I like to think so ;) My favorite was this girl probably around 10-12 who was getting really upset, crying, yelling, throwing a tantrum at the eye doctor station...everyone thought it was because she got glasses and didn't want them, but it was actually the opposite...she wanted glasses but the eye doctor told her that her vision was fine!! See, some people are as crazy as me when it comes to their health :)
The morning after I got back we had a general health camp at the community center in the Ramapir no Tekro. It was held on behalf of the Ahmedabad Medical Association. There were lots of doctors there - general, eye, ENT, skin, dental, surgeon, pediatrician. We got there early to setup, and put up lots of banners about preventative healthcare. When people came in they went to the registration table, had to say what they needed to be seen for, and in turn received a "case paper" with the doctor they had to see written on top. If they had multiple complaints, they got a different sheet for each. Then volunteers helped direct people to the right station. After that a volunteer at each station kept an eye in the room the doctor was in and had one person enter the room at a time. After each patient was seen they were directed across the way where medications were dispensed for free that were written by the camp doctors. It was chaotic! No one stayed in line, everyone budged then fought about it, they tried to enter multiple people at a time, and they wouldn't listen when we tried to direct them to the appropriate doctor! It was a zoo! But it was lots of fun and really great to see so many people getting their healthcare needs addressed. The doctors also took their time and seemed to actually enjoy helping these people. I loved seeing the people fight over their turn...it showed me their passion for healthcare...or at least I like to think so ;) My favorite was this girl probably around 10-12 who was getting really upset, crying, yelling, throwing a tantrum at the eye doctor station...everyone thought it was because she got glasses and didn't want them, but it was actually the opposite...she wanted glasses but the eye doctor told her that her vision was fine!! See, some people are as crazy as me when it comes to their health :)
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Leprosy Community Visit
I finally got a chance to go back to the Leprosy Community today! Chris, one of the new volunteers, is housed there a few days a week, so lots of new programs are getting kicked off there, which is just what the community needs.
There is a new nutrition program starting there geared towards the elderly that live in the community by themselves. All of these people have leprosy, and thus most all have problems with their feet and hands. All of them beg to make money to eat and pay their house bills. The 23 people in this program all live alone, and are all elderly. Every evening, Monday through Sunday, dinner will be cooked at the community center. All of the 23 will arrive, do a prayer together, and then eat together. This will also help increase utilization of the community center and make this a community event. The donors that are helping fund this project wanted some background information of the people in this program.
First I met with the husband and wife who will be cooking the meals. They were really great - they already have anticipated what problems they may face and are really enthusiastic about getting things started. So next we went around to meet the people that will be in the program. Many of them were not around since they had gone out to beg, but we talked to whoever was home. We told them about the program, asked if they will have any problems participating such as they can''t walk to the community center (for which we will pick them up with a wheelchair), what they think about this program, and then just a brief history on how they ended up at the leper community. All of them said the program was a good idea, but they just hoped they could chew the food, so we passed on that concern. All of the people we talked to had relocated because they got leprosy, which basically outcasted them from society. A few left because they were run out of their home villages; others left because they did not want their families to suffer disgrace because of them. One women left behind her husband and two young children (one 3 years old and one 4 months old) and came to live here. To this date she does not know how her sons are doing or even where they are...so heartbreaking. But the elderly were overall very grateful to have a program that will at least ensure they will get one good meal a day and give them a cushion so if they do not go beg a certain day because they are sick etc, they will still be able to get by. I'm very excited to see this project get going - it's going to provide a big help to those in need.
Last I visited a boy that lives in the community, Guru. Guru's Mom had difficulty during childbirth, which led him to having insufficient oxygen, and thus he suffers from cerebral palsy. The volunteer has been working with him doing traditional therapy to improve his breathing and his condition as much as possible. Guru does not sit, walk, move at all and his breathing can be very difficult at times. But since the volunteer has been working with Guru he is breathing better, is much more alert, active, and responsive, and is even moving around a lot more which is great news! It was amazing to see him. The best part about seeing him was that every time the volunteer laughed, Guru laughed. It was like a natural reaction to him and so heart touching to see!
There is a new nutrition program starting there geared towards the elderly that live in the community by themselves. All of these people have leprosy, and thus most all have problems with their feet and hands. All of them beg to make money to eat and pay their house bills. The 23 people in this program all live alone, and are all elderly. Every evening, Monday through Sunday, dinner will be cooked at the community center. All of the 23 will arrive, do a prayer together, and then eat together. This will also help increase utilization of the community center and make this a community event. The donors that are helping fund this project wanted some background information of the people in this program.
First I met with the husband and wife who will be cooking the meals. They were really great - they already have anticipated what problems they may face and are really enthusiastic about getting things started. So next we went around to meet the people that will be in the program. Many of them were not around since they had gone out to beg, but we talked to whoever was home. We told them about the program, asked if they will have any problems participating such as they can''t walk to the community center (for which we will pick them up with a wheelchair), what they think about this program, and then just a brief history on how they ended up at the leper community. All of them said the program was a good idea, but they just hoped they could chew the food, so we passed on that concern. All of the people we talked to had relocated because they got leprosy, which basically outcasted them from society. A few left because they were run out of their home villages; others left because they did not want their families to suffer disgrace because of them. One women left behind her husband and two young children (one 3 years old and one 4 months old) and came to live here. To this date she does not know how her sons are doing or even where they are...so heartbreaking. But the elderly were overall very grateful to have a program that will at least ensure they will get one good meal a day and give them a cushion so if they do not go beg a certain day because they are sick etc, they will still be able to get by. I'm very excited to see this project get going - it's going to provide a big help to those in need.
Last I visited a boy that lives in the community, Guru. Guru's Mom had difficulty during childbirth, which led him to having insufficient oxygen, and thus he suffers from cerebral palsy. The volunteer has been working with him doing traditional therapy to improve his breathing and his condition as much as possible. Guru does not sit, walk, move at all and his breathing can be very difficult at times. But since the volunteer has been working with Guru he is breathing better, is much more alert, active, and responsive, and is even moving around a lot more which is great news! It was amazing to see him. The best part about seeing him was that every time the volunteer laughed, Guru laughed. It was like a natural reaction to him and so heart touching to see!
Jamalpur - Health and Hygiene Class; English Class
I went to Jamalpur to work with the women this time. They started a new batch in the sewing class in March. So I went and gave my health and hygiene lecture to both batches. I think this is really important to do, especially since culturally the women take care of the family and kids, and basically teach them everything they learn. So I started with this point - that whether it's as an older sister or a mother, they need to lead by example. Especially with these women, they understand and believe in being empowered, and that starts with education. The women were great. They engaged in the conversation well, especially since it was a small group so they asked lots of questions and made lots of comments. They seemed to acknowledge their shortcomings in this area and what all they should focus on being role models and teaching the next generation. Let's see if it actually sticks!
After that I went to the new Muslim tuition class - Rahim Sanskar Kendra. I just popped in to say hi and see how much they remembered from my health and hygiene lecture. They remembered a lot - even that you should brush for 3 minutes twice a day! Whether they actually practiced that or not is another story...then the kids told me they were going to learn English today. I wrote out the ABCs to see what they knew...it was actually really fun to see the kids getting excited about it! Then I asked them basic English words - like head, and they didn't know it! So I taught them the song Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes...it was an utter mess, but it was lots of fun! I had them give themselves a round of applause after, because it was their first time singing a song in English. But I am of the belief that these kids should not be learning English right now. The kids who cannot read and write in Gujarati should focus on that, not learning English. It was lots of fun spending time with the kids and seeing them so happy and excited about learning something :)
After that I went to the new Muslim tuition class - Rahim Sanskar Kendra. I just popped in to say hi and see how much they remembered from my health and hygiene lecture. They remembered a lot - even that you should brush for 3 minutes twice a day! Whether they actually practiced that or not is another story...then the kids told me they were going to learn English today. I wrote out the ABCs to see what they knew...it was actually really fun to see the kids getting excited about it! Then I asked them basic English words - like head, and they didn't know it! So I taught them the song Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes...it was an utter mess, but it was lots of fun! I had them give themselves a round of applause after, because it was their first time singing a song in English. But I am of the belief that these kids should not be learning English right now. The kids who cannot read and write in Gujarati should focus on that, not learning English. It was lots of fun spending time with the kids and seeing them so happy and excited about learning something :)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Rahul's follow-up visit - Civil Hospital
Rahul (tuberculosis meningitis patient with the shunt placed from Madhya Pradesh) had his follow-up visit today. Yesterday, however, is when the stress started for all of us. One of the Real Medicine Foundation volunteers went to his house to prepare things for their trip. He has been vomiting since he got discharged, and someone mentioned that it might possibly be because of his shunt, so we considered that he would have to stay in the hospital for a few days. Rahul's dad's brother however had some issues. First he said that Holi (Indian festival of colors) is coming up and immediately after there is a wedding in the family. Thus he said that he will only allow Rahul to be in Ahmedabad for 3 days, then it doesn't matter if he is officially discharged or not, he will make them leave the hospital against medical advice and come back home since the festival and wedding is more important. When they discussed how critical Rahul is and how important good follow-up is for him, Rahul's father and uncle said that the festival and wedding is more important, and that it's okay if Rahul dies. They said that they can dedicate time to get him admitted after the wedding is over, but not before. And if Rahul dies do to this decision, so be it, the Real Medicine Foundation is already dedicating more time than necessary to him, so maybe it's better if he dies. I was in shock when the volunteer called me and told me this! I understand that these people are illiterate, but I don't know if that can be an excuse for not understanding the value for a human life, especially an innocent child.
Needless to say I was really apprehensive about this follow-up visit because I didn't know what to expect from either the family or the doctors. After a long and expensive miscommunication about what train station they were at, we arrived at the neurosurgery OPD (out patient department). The neurosurgeon said that the shunt is working well, and that the vomiting is probably due to the tuberculosis medications, and that he is doing well. He told us to visit the pediatrician OPD as well to see what they have to say.
The pediatrician said he should stay on all of his vitamins and tuberculosis medications and didn't agree that the vomiting was due to the tuberculosis medications, but gave him something for when he vomits to help him keep everything down. She was very concerned that he barely gained any weight since discharge, and he is only 5 kg, when he should be 12 kg per his age. She said he is severely malnourished and will need to get a feeding tube again if he can't gain a few kilos. The kid is really struggling, but hopefully the family will get him admitted to a Nutritional Rehabilitation Center after their wedding and get him on the way to recovery.
It's hard working so hard and getting so attached to these children and seeing that despite all of your love and efforts the family still sees it all as frivolous. The parents seemed on board when I talked to them, so it seems maybe the brother is the one with all of these crazy ideas. I just know we have to do the best we can to serve and help and the rest is out of our hands.
Needless to say I was really apprehensive about this follow-up visit because I didn't know what to expect from either the family or the doctors. After a long and expensive miscommunication about what train station they were at, we arrived at the neurosurgery OPD (out patient department). The neurosurgeon said that the shunt is working well, and that the vomiting is probably due to the tuberculosis medications, and that he is doing well. He told us to visit the pediatrician OPD as well to see what they have to say.
The pediatrician said he should stay on all of his vitamins and tuberculosis medications and didn't agree that the vomiting was due to the tuberculosis medications, but gave him something for when he vomits to help him keep everything down. She was very concerned that he barely gained any weight since discharge, and he is only 5 kg, when he should be 12 kg per his age. She said he is severely malnourished and will need to get a feeding tube again if he can't gain a few kilos. The kid is really struggling, but hopefully the family will get him admitted to a Nutritional Rehabilitation Center after their wedding and get him on the way to recovery.
It's hard working so hard and getting so attached to these children and seeing that despite all of your love and efforts the family still sees it all as frivolous. The parents seemed on board when I talked to them, so it seems maybe the brother is the one with all of these crazy ideas. I just know we have to do the best we can to serve and help and the rest is out of our hands.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Indian Standard Time, Dental Awareness Camp, Lizards, and Health Camp
Lots of stuff going on these last 2 days!
I was supposed to meet one of the staff members to help him translate some stories into English and type them up. So after prayer after people finished socializing and going about their work I went to find him and asked him if we're still on to sit down. He's like yeah, sure, just give me 5 minutes and I'll be back. One hour later he was no where to be seen, and finally called him, and he's like I'm on my way back. He was truthful, he got there within 2 minutes, but then tells me his write-up is at home so we can't finish this now anyways. So I'm left wondering why he would have told me to wait 5 minutes in the first place...Luckily, I've learned the ways of Indian Standard Time (IST) and ate lunch and finished up some other work instead of patiently waiting for "5 minutes." I don't know if expecting IST is a good thing or a bad thing, but I suppose it makes me more efficient so I can't complain!
We hosted a dental awareness camp at the ashramshala on Thursday. This is through the same people that did our dental camp - Thursday afternoons are their community outreach times, so we have them setup to come to 4 different places the next 4 weeks and work with the kids. First we introduced dental hygiene and talked about the importance of teeth. We showed pictures of teeth of movie stars - one with smiling faces and one with their teeth blacked out - and asked the kids which one they preferred. Obviously we know what they said! Then the dental students did a skit about teeth - there were 2 brothers, one who brushed his teeth and ate right, and the other who didn't brush and ate candy all day. We all know which one ended up having cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. Then the students showed the kids how to brush their teeth and talked about when to brush, how to brush, why to brush etc. Last they did a dental screening on all of the kids and filled out a form on each child. We will follow-up all of the kids with problems in our dental clinic at the community center. All of the kids got a coloring book, crayons, toothpaste, and toothbrush. The kids had a lot of fun, as did the students, who were really happy that they could do outreach where it really was needed.
More pictures here :)
So it's starting to get warm outside, which means - lizard time! They're starting to appear on the walls everywhere. We were having our volunteer meeting on Friday and not one, but two fell on me. It was one of the scariest things ever. And the lizards are all white, so they look albino, which makes them more scary.
We're planning a comprehensive health camp for later this month. I don't know the details of what organization this is organized through, but basically they have physicians for 7-8 different specialties present (peds, gynac etc) who provide screening for patients. They also give away things like 100 free prescription eyeglasses and more. This will be an organizational nightmare, especially since most of the staff will be busy with a craftroots presentation that date, but it should be a good leadership experience!
I was supposed to meet one of the staff members to help him translate some stories into English and type them up. So after prayer after people finished socializing and going about their work I went to find him and asked him if we're still on to sit down. He's like yeah, sure, just give me 5 minutes and I'll be back. One hour later he was no where to be seen, and finally called him, and he's like I'm on my way back. He was truthful, he got there within 2 minutes, but then tells me his write-up is at home so we can't finish this now anyways. So I'm left wondering why he would have told me to wait 5 minutes in the first place...Luckily, I've learned the ways of Indian Standard Time (IST) and ate lunch and finished up some other work instead of patiently waiting for "5 minutes." I don't know if expecting IST is a good thing or a bad thing, but I suppose it makes me more efficient so I can't complain!
We hosted a dental awareness camp at the ashramshala on Thursday. This is through the same people that did our dental camp - Thursday afternoons are their community outreach times, so we have them setup to come to 4 different places the next 4 weeks and work with the kids. First we introduced dental hygiene and talked about the importance of teeth. We showed pictures of teeth of movie stars - one with smiling faces and one with their teeth blacked out - and asked the kids which one they preferred. Obviously we know what they said! Then the dental students did a skit about teeth - there were 2 brothers, one who brushed his teeth and ate right, and the other who didn't brush and ate candy all day. We all know which one ended up having cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. Then the students showed the kids how to brush their teeth and talked about when to brush, how to brush, why to brush etc. Last they did a dental screening on all of the kids and filled out a form on each child. We will follow-up all of the kids with problems in our dental clinic at the community center. All of the kids got a coloring book, crayons, toothpaste, and toothbrush. The kids had a lot of fun, as did the students, who were really happy that they could do outreach where it really was needed.
More pictures here :)
So it's starting to get warm outside, which means - lizard time! They're starting to appear on the walls everywhere. We were having our volunteer meeting on Friday and not one, but two fell on me. It was one of the scariest things ever. And the lizards are all white, so they look albino, which makes them more scary.
We're planning a comprehensive health camp for later this month. I don't know the details of what organization this is organized through, but basically they have physicians for 7-8 different specialties present (peds, gynac etc) who provide screening for patients. They also give away things like 100 free prescription eyeglasses and more. This will be an organizational nightmare, especially since most of the staff will be busy with a craftroots presentation that date, but it should be a good leadership experience!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Basanti's follow-up visit
Basanti and her dad came back to Ahmedabad yesterday for a follow-up visit. She needed to get her cast removed, the stitches taken out, and then re-casted. They arrived by train and it was Dad's first time on the train, so he was really nervous. I had never been to the Kalupur train station either (the main train station in Ahmedabad) so I didn't know what was going on either! Things were really confusing there...you apparently need a platform ticket to go drop or pick someone up, but the window where they sold the tickets didn't have anyone sitting there. I finally found where to get the ticket and went and got them...it was a zoo!
We took a rickshaw to the hospital, and Basanti was smiling! She had lots of fun on the train and didn't know yet where we were going so she was playing. Then we got to the hospital and first went to the paraplegia hospital where the students took her cast off. The minute we stepped foot in the building Basanti knew where we were and was not happy. It took them forever to take the cast off, and when the sir stepped away for a few minutes one student was throwing glances in his direction while the other did everything the sir said not to in order to get the cast off quicker...not very comforting, but then I pretended to be interested in what they were doing and got involved and I think I scared them so they went back to doing what they were told. Basanti made sure everything in the building knew she was there. I promised her an ice cream if she either stopped crying or generated tears while wailing. She did neither.
Then me and 2 students took her to the main hospital to get the stitches out and re-casted. The OPD (outpatient) hours were over in the morning, so we were calling in a favor to have this doctor do this for us. We finally tracked the doctor down and he tried to take the stitches out and Basanti was just not having it. She bent over her legs and wouldn't budge. The doctors decided they would have to put her under anesthesia and finish everything, which is what they did when they re-casted her in the hospital as well. This meant we had to wait for her to have not had anything to eat or drink for the last 6 hours. So we waited in the trauma center waiting room for it to be 2 more hours and have the surgeon free to get this done. Of course Basanti was starving since she was going on hour 7 without nothing to eat/drink so she was making a ruckus. I didn't have anything except my mp3 player and hair clip for her to play with, neither of which was entertaining enough. Then some lady sitting in the waiting room got mad at me and asked what kind of mother I am that my child is crying and I'm leaving her with her dad. I just glared at her and then she turned away. Seriously, no one minds their own business in India! The doctor had told us Basanti would have to stay the night since she'll be getting anesthesia so they'll have to monitor her. So I told the Dad he won't be able to leave tonight and he wasn't thrilled but he also has learned to trust us to do what was best for them, so he went along with it. We made arrangements for her to stay at the Paraplegia hospital and then get discharged in time for the morning train.
The surgeon finally came and they took us first (out of 30 people waiting). Then the anesthesiologist decided that she wouldn't sign off on Basanti's surgery until I took out a "case" - basically means got her admitted inpatient first. I explained to her that she wasn't inpatient, the doctors sent us straight up here, but she walked away before I could even get out a sound. So we waited patiently and then her doctor came and whisked her into the operating theater. I went back to the waiting area hoping they didn't fight and send her back out! But her dad came to get me a half hour later telling me Basanti was out. I quickly ran and caught the doctor and asked what was next and to make sure they'll discharge her on time in the morning. He just looked at me and said I don't need to keep her, go home, bring her back in a month. Seriously no communication among these physicians! So we got Basanti dressed and rushed off to the train station - she knew where she was going because she was all smiles again!
We got to the station with 15 minutes to spare, otherwise they would have to wait another hour for the train, and then reach home in the middle of the night. So we rushed, got a ticket, found someone to sell me a freaking platform ticket who them proceeded to answer when I asked what platform our train would come on "4, but you better hurry it's about to leave." I'm thinking yeah well maybe if you didn't dilly dally for 5 minutes it wouldn't be about to leave!
So we rushed - I grabbed dad's bag since he was carrying her so all the weight slowed him down and we did a very filmy run for the train. We found the train but the general box was way in the back and we were way in the front so we did another filmy run for the end. The train was crammed, but they made it. Basanti was all smiles, as was Dad, though I never did get to give her an ice cream...next time!
We took a rickshaw to the hospital, and Basanti was smiling! She had lots of fun on the train and didn't know yet where we were going so she was playing. Then we got to the hospital and first went to the paraplegia hospital where the students took her cast off. The minute we stepped foot in the building Basanti knew where we were and was not happy. It took them forever to take the cast off, and when the sir stepped away for a few minutes one student was throwing glances in his direction while the other did everything the sir said not to in order to get the cast off quicker...not very comforting, but then I pretended to be interested in what they were doing and got involved and I think I scared them so they went back to doing what they were told. Basanti made sure everything in the building knew she was there. I promised her an ice cream if she either stopped crying or generated tears while wailing. She did neither.
Then me and 2 students took her to the main hospital to get the stitches out and re-casted. The OPD (outpatient) hours were over in the morning, so we were calling in a favor to have this doctor do this for us. We finally tracked the doctor down and he tried to take the stitches out and Basanti was just not having it. She bent over her legs and wouldn't budge. The doctors decided they would have to put her under anesthesia and finish everything, which is what they did when they re-casted her in the hospital as well. This meant we had to wait for her to have not had anything to eat or drink for the last 6 hours. So we waited in the trauma center waiting room for it to be 2 more hours and have the surgeon free to get this done. Of course Basanti was starving since she was going on hour 7 without nothing to eat/drink so she was making a ruckus. I didn't have anything except my mp3 player and hair clip for her to play with, neither of which was entertaining enough. Then some lady sitting in the waiting room got mad at me and asked what kind of mother I am that my child is crying and I'm leaving her with her dad. I just glared at her and then she turned away. Seriously, no one minds their own business in India! The doctor had told us Basanti would have to stay the night since she'll be getting anesthesia so they'll have to monitor her. So I told the Dad he won't be able to leave tonight and he wasn't thrilled but he also has learned to trust us to do what was best for them, so he went along with it. We made arrangements for her to stay at the Paraplegia hospital and then get discharged in time for the morning train.
The surgeon finally came and they took us first (out of 30 people waiting). Then the anesthesiologist decided that she wouldn't sign off on Basanti's surgery until I took out a "case" - basically means got her admitted inpatient first. I explained to her that she wasn't inpatient, the doctors sent us straight up here, but she walked away before I could even get out a sound. So we waited patiently and then her doctor came and whisked her into the operating theater. I went back to the waiting area hoping they didn't fight and send her back out! But her dad came to get me a half hour later telling me Basanti was out. I quickly ran and caught the doctor and asked what was next and to make sure they'll discharge her on time in the morning. He just looked at me and said I don't need to keep her, go home, bring her back in a month. Seriously no communication among these physicians! So we got Basanti dressed and rushed off to the train station - she knew where she was going because she was all smiles again!
We got to the station with 15 minutes to spare, otherwise they would have to wait another hour for the train, and then reach home in the middle of the night. So we rushed, got a ticket, found someone to sell me a freaking platform ticket who them proceeded to answer when I asked what platform our train would come on "4, but you better hurry it's about to leave." I'm thinking yeah well maybe if you didn't dilly dally for 5 minutes it wouldn't be about to leave!
So we rushed - I grabbed dad's bag since he was carrying her so all the weight slowed him down and we did a very filmy run for the train. We found the train but the general box was way in the back and we were way in the front so we did another filmy run for the end. The train was crammed, but they made it. Basanti was all smiles, as was Dad, though I never did get to give her an ice cream...next time!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Jamalpur Health and Hygiene Class
I gave my health and hygiene lecture to the new Muslim student class today...it went surprisingly well! I had to talk in Hindi since that was what most students understand, and I never speak Hindi, but I apparently did okay! I couldn't remember one word - the word for germs - kittanu, which is very different from Gujarati. Anyways, the kids was very impressive. They were much more well behaved than I saw 2 weeks ago, which was great, and they answered my questions very well which I was very happy about! And I think I got my speech down pat...what used to take me 20 minutes now takes an hour, which is great that I have thought of so many little anecdotes and ways to make the lecture more interactive and fun! It was cool to see the kids slowly inching closer and closer until one was quite literally in my lap and I had to gain his attention to that and scoot him back to his spot! Working with these kids is so energizing to see their curiosity and interest in hearing what you have to say :)
Civil Hospital - Basanti's Story
Basanti is an intriguing 3 year old girl! They brought her up to get surgery because she had a clubbed foot, meaning her foot isn't straight, so she couldn't walk. The organization A Leg To Stand On based out of the US sponsored all of her care. The ALTSO team was great, checking up on everything regularly and helping us jump through all of the hoops as quick as possible - it was working with them that made me realize that all you really need to be seen/heard is a white lab coat, so you look official. No one asked for ID, the lab coat spoke for itself!
Anyways, she had to have corrective surgery for her foot. She has a month old brother at home so the mom could not come along, so the father came, had never taken care of her on his own before. When they told him the surgery would be the next day and then she would have to stay in the hospital for 4 days, he freaked out and all he could say is he wanted to go back to the village and pick his corn and that there was no way he could watch her for 4 days. After he met Rahul's parents we found out that they are related and actually neighbors! This eased him a bit and after much convincing he decided to stay. I met him when he was having lunch with Basanti. She peed while eating. I told him and he looked down and said oh, and didn't do anything. Then I suggested maybe he should move her away from that area so she isn't sitting in her own urine while she eats. that lit some type of a lightbulb since he moved her! The morning after her surgery they gave the family bread in a plastic package, and he handed the whole package to Basanti, who just stared back at him, and after a minute he was like oh, I should open this for you maybe...I'm sitting here like you think?! But I talked to him and was telling him what a great opportunity he was getting to spend time with his daughter in a way that he probably never has and never will. After his first day jitters subsided he agreed and seemed very grateful to get this one on one time with his daughter :) And by the end he actually knew how to take care of her, which was amazing to see!
Basanti was a very moody girl..whenever I went to see her she was upset and frowning - never happy to see me until day 3 when she smiled, but day 4 was more of the same. But apparently every time I left she would ask 20 questions about me - when I was coming back, my name etc etc. I think she just didn't like hospitals and wanted to go home to Mom. But she left happy and ready to get home, and now she'll be back for more follow-ups and another surgery.
Anyways, she had to have corrective surgery for her foot. She has a month old brother at home so the mom could not come along, so the father came, had never taken care of her on his own before. When they told him the surgery would be the next day and then she would have to stay in the hospital for 4 days, he freaked out and all he could say is he wanted to go back to the village and pick his corn and that there was no way he could watch her for 4 days. After he met Rahul's parents we found out that they are related and actually neighbors! This eased him a bit and after much convincing he decided to stay. I met him when he was having lunch with Basanti. She peed while eating. I told him and he looked down and said oh, and didn't do anything. Then I suggested maybe he should move her away from that area so she isn't sitting in her own urine while she eats. that lit some type of a lightbulb since he moved her! The morning after her surgery they gave the family bread in a plastic package, and he handed the whole package to Basanti, who just stared back at him, and after a minute he was like oh, I should open this for you maybe...I'm sitting here like you think?! But I talked to him and was telling him what a great opportunity he was getting to spend time with his daughter in a way that he probably never has and never will. After his first day jitters subsided he agreed and seemed very grateful to get this one on one time with his daughter :) And by the end he actually knew how to take care of her, which was amazing to see!
Basanti was a very moody girl..whenever I went to see her she was upset and frowning - never happy to see me until day 3 when she smiled, but day 4 was more of the same. But apparently every time I left she would ask 20 questions about me - when I was coming back, my name etc etc. I think she just didn't like hospitals and wanted to go home to Mom. But she left happy and ready to get home, and now she'll be back for more follow-ups and another surgery.
Civil Hospital - Ayush's Story
Ayush was a little boy they brought up from MP that had a shunt put in his brain when he was a month old. He had hydrocephalus (fluid in the brain) so needed the shunt to remove the fluid. It's been 2 years since so he had to come up for a follow-up to make sure things were going okay. There isn't much to tell in his story - we did lots of running around as per the normal and got him seen in the OPD (out patient department) in neurosurgery. They had us take a CT scan to see where things were at and then decide if there was anything that needed to be done. The process was far from systematic but things got done, and it turned out his scan was clean and he was good to go home. He was the cutest kid, and he was so playful. He didn't cry at all, even though he didn't even get water for 3-4 hours...he just went about smiling. I have never met such a happy baby with such a contagious smile...so precious. He had come with his grandparents, who it was obvious interacted and stimulated him a lot.
Civil Hospital - Rahul's Story
This is the story of the first patient I worked with at the Civil Hospital on behalf of the Real Medicine Foundation. The chapter of this organization that I'm working with is based out of Madhya Pradesh in a village named Jabhwa. This village is home to many farmers and migrant workers who are very poor and mostly illiterate, fairly uneducated. Our role is to help them get advanced medical procedures at the Civil Hospital (government hospital in Ahmedabad) and help them navigate the system.
Rahul is a little 3 year old boy who was first diagnosed with TBME (tuberculosis meningitis or tuberculosis of the lining of the brain) in November of last year. The doctor hospitalized him and then discharged him with a month long course of medication and told them to come back in a month for further follow-up. As happens with many TB cases, Rahul was doing better after the first month of treatment, and the parents being uneducated figured he's better so there is no reason to take him back to the doctor. Of course this is not how TB works and without a full course of TB medication the infection is still present and merely gains resistance to the TB drugs and manifests much harsher later. This is exactly what happened. Rahul got really sick in the middle of February with multiple days of vomiting and seizures and since there is no hospital near the village that can treat such a sick patient, they rushed Rahul here.
I came the day after he was admitted here. I met his parents who were really confused and concerned about who I was. It took them a few days to warm up to me, after which time they would become concerned if I didn't come and always seemed very excited and relieved to see me.
Rahul was put back on his TB medications along with antibiotics. He also had a CT scan done which revealed hydrocephalus or fluid build up in his brain. The surgeons placed a shunt to remove the fluid. Then they kept him in the hospital for 14 days to finish the antibiotics course. Some time before coming in to the hospital, Rahul lost most use of his right arm and leg, probably due to the fluid build-up in his brain. He moves them ever so slightly, but both limbs are bent and he keeps them curled in a fist (his foot too). The doctors say this will be a wait and watch process and taught them physical therapy exercises to do on him - this is his best chance of regaining use of his limbs. It's hard for parents to do these on him since he whines and cries and usually that's enough to get a parent to stop. I tried to drill it into their heads that they need to push on. He also cannot see anymore, and the doctors again say we'll have to see if he regains that. However, on his last day here when Naiara and I (another RMF volunteer based out of Madhya Pradesh) were playing with him he reached out for her bracelet which was held about his head! So we're hopeful that he's starting to regain his sight!
Working with Rahul and his family was my first experience in this hospital. It was overwhelming, even for me. When you need something done the doctors send you on a wild goose chase across the hospital to find it or to take the patient to get whatever it is done. I look professional thus I get good treatment from the staff and guards, some of whom would seek me out to find out who I was (got asked on coffee by a few doctors using this same excuse!), but the rest of the patients are just kicked around. You really had to be an advocate and be assertive to figure anything out there...it could be a really intimidating place! The doctors explain the equivalent of nothing to the families...the doctors come in the same variety as in the states - some really great and helpful and some huge snobs. But you can't just expect that you're admitted so you'll be taken care of like you can back home. Like one day the doctors said not to feed Rahul since he was going to have surgery for his shunt, and yet the nurse yelled at the parents for not giving him milk! You really needed to be on your toes and know what was going on. I spent many mornings just waiting and running around and trying to track down doctors who were on 2 hour tea breaks to get a simple question answered.
Overall though it was a great experience, especially seeing Rahul's parents warm up to me and rely on me with their questions and concerns over time. His parents were very young and overwhelmed and just plain scared like almost anyone would be that situation and being able to help them navigate the system and make sure Rahul gets the best care possible, along with getting to observe the medical care in a government hospital in India was like an all in one for me! I have to say that the doctors are good, very good, very well educated, just the bedside manner and obviously the amenities are lacking. And to see Rahul improve and go home at least more interactive and alert and possibly with some vision was heart-warming :)
Rahul is a little 3 year old boy who was first diagnosed with TBME (tuberculosis meningitis or tuberculosis of the lining of the brain) in November of last year. The doctor hospitalized him and then discharged him with a month long course of medication and told them to come back in a month for further follow-up. As happens with many TB cases, Rahul was doing better after the first month of treatment, and the parents being uneducated figured he's better so there is no reason to take him back to the doctor. Of course this is not how TB works and without a full course of TB medication the infection is still present and merely gains resistance to the TB drugs and manifests much harsher later. This is exactly what happened. Rahul got really sick in the middle of February with multiple days of vomiting and seizures and since there is no hospital near the village that can treat such a sick patient, they rushed Rahul here.
I came the day after he was admitted here. I met his parents who were really confused and concerned about who I was. It took them a few days to warm up to me, after which time they would become concerned if I didn't come and always seemed very excited and relieved to see me.
Rahul was put back on his TB medications along with antibiotics. He also had a CT scan done which revealed hydrocephalus or fluid build up in his brain. The surgeons placed a shunt to remove the fluid. Then they kept him in the hospital for 14 days to finish the antibiotics course. Some time before coming in to the hospital, Rahul lost most use of his right arm and leg, probably due to the fluid build-up in his brain. He moves them ever so slightly, but both limbs are bent and he keeps them curled in a fist (his foot too). The doctors say this will be a wait and watch process and taught them physical therapy exercises to do on him - this is his best chance of regaining use of his limbs. It's hard for parents to do these on him since he whines and cries and usually that's enough to get a parent to stop. I tried to drill it into their heads that they need to push on. He also cannot see anymore, and the doctors again say we'll have to see if he regains that. However, on his last day here when Naiara and I (another RMF volunteer based out of Madhya Pradesh) were playing with him he reached out for her bracelet which was held about his head! So we're hopeful that he's starting to regain his sight!
Working with Rahul and his family was my first experience in this hospital. It was overwhelming, even for me. When you need something done the doctors send you on a wild goose chase across the hospital to find it or to take the patient to get whatever it is done. I look professional thus I get good treatment from the staff and guards, some of whom would seek me out to find out who I was (got asked on coffee by a few doctors using this same excuse!), but the rest of the patients are just kicked around. You really had to be an advocate and be assertive to figure anything out there...it could be a really intimidating place! The doctors explain the equivalent of nothing to the families...the doctors come in the same variety as in the states - some really great and helpful and some huge snobs. But you can't just expect that you're admitted so you'll be taken care of like you can back home. Like one day the doctors said not to feed Rahul since he was going to have surgery for his shunt, and yet the nurse yelled at the parents for not giving him milk! You really needed to be on your toes and know what was going on. I spent many mornings just waiting and running around and trying to track down doctors who were on 2 hour tea breaks to get a simple question answered.
Overall though it was a great experience, especially seeing Rahul's parents warm up to me and rely on me with their questions and concerns over time. His parents were very young and overwhelmed and just plain scared like almost anyone would be that situation and being able to help them navigate the system and make sure Rahul gets the best care possible, along with getting to observe the medical care in a government hospital in India was like an all in one for me! I have to say that the doctors are good, very good, very well educated, just the bedside manner and obviously the amenities are lacking. And to see Rahul improve and go home at least more interactive and alert and possibly with some vision was heart-warming :)
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Jamalpur update
At Jamalpur they started a new class that is being led by a teacher named Sam. Her real name is something crazy so Dilipbhai, the computer teacher, renamed her! Anyways, she got her teaching certificate and has been taking computer classes with Manav Sadhna. Since she is Muslim Barotbhai thought she would be ideal to start a new tuition class as a way to try to get some of the Muslim kids in the class to start attending class and getting involved with Manav Sadhna.
She has a class of like 40 students. On top of that they all speak different languages - some speak Gujarati, some Hindi, some Urdu! And they don't all understand each other, though she speaks them all. So when she teaches class she writes everything in 2-3 languages even if she's teaching just one language so they can all learn what she's trying to teach! It's nuts - I have lots of respect for her having the patience and ability to make sure she constantly caters to all of the kid's needs.
I sat in on one of her classes - the kids are out of control! They don't sit in a straight line, they don't raise their hand, they don't listen when someone else talks...nothing! I talked to Sam and will continue to attend class and work on the discipline of the kids. Educating them is obviously important, but Manav Sadhna prides its teaching as value based, and wants to make sure the kids are well-behaved and equipped to learn first. Sam runs the classes out of her own house, so Virenbhai suggested I keep an eye on things there, since the family would be more comfortable with a girl spending time there than Barotbhai. I'm looking forward to this challenge!
We also hosted a 2 day shibir (like an orientation or get together) for the moms of kids who attend the tuition classes there. They had all sorts of lecturers come - talk about Manav Sadhna, education, family values etc etc. Barotbhai had me speak about health and hygiene. I didn't know how to attack this, since they're all women with kids and obviously much older than me. But I went in just like I did with the kids and said I'm going to teach you what I taught them. You're the moms, the cornerstone of any Indian family, and if you don't know this stuff and practice it yourself, you can't except your kids to either. I told them that you might not be educated or have had a chance to work or anything else, all things you hope for your kids, so in that area all you can do is encourage them, but when it comes to health, you can do everything they do. The talk was really general and basic, showering, keeping the house clean, brushing your teeth, handwashing (really pushed this with them). It was very light and simple, but the women had lots of fun. They were very grateful and understanding of what I was saying and appreciative that I took the time to talk to them.
The guy who ran the shibir was a bit irritating. After I finished my talk he was telling the women how insulting it was that I was telling them how to stay clean - "as if you don't already know this running a family and all" - immediately one of the Moms said no, we may know this but it doesn't mean we practice it, and we aren't educated enough to understand why we should do these things. The guy continued "but still I mean she's half your age and telling you how to take care of your family, if someone did that to me I'd be insulted. If you're not insulted you should be." I'm just sitting here with my jaw dropping since he was dead serious. But the women started all talking at once - how grateful they were to hear what I said, that if someone tells them something with this much love it's not an insult, that they realize I took time out of my day to teach them something that will only help them and how selfless that is etc etc etc. I was amazed that these women were arguing with this guy for me, who they had known for a total of 1 hour. I got up and left because I felt awkward being there, and later found out that this guy really was that big of an airhead and meant everything he said, but I walked away with a lesson: that it really is true that when someone tells you something with good intentions it is conveyed that way to the other person. I didn't mean to be insulting or to tell these women that I know better than them, just to share what I knew and reinforce what they knew - and they realized that emotion even after only hearing me talk for 30 minutes. It was really touching and made me realize that maybe I don't understand or appreciate how much of an impact I really have on their lives. I'm glad I got a chance to interact with them and I hope that in the future I can visit some of them and try to get to them on a bit more of a personal level.
She has a class of like 40 students. On top of that they all speak different languages - some speak Gujarati, some Hindi, some Urdu! And they don't all understand each other, though she speaks them all. So when she teaches class she writes everything in 2-3 languages even if she's teaching just one language so they can all learn what she's trying to teach! It's nuts - I have lots of respect for her having the patience and ability to make sure she constantly caters to all of the kid's needs.
I sat in on one of her classes - the kids are out of control! They don't sit in a straight line, they don't raise their hand, they don't listen when someone else talks...nothing! I talked to Sam and will continue to attend class and work on the discipline of the kids. Educating them is obviously important, but Manav Sadhna prides its teaching as value based, and wants to make sure the kids are well-behaved and equipped to learn first. Sam runs the classes out of her own house, so Virenbhai suggested I keep an eye on things there, since the family would be more comfortable with a girl spending time there than Barotbhai. I'm looking forward to this challenge!
We also hosted a 2 day shibir (like an orientation or get together) for the moms of kids who attend the tuition classes there. They had all sorts of lecturers come - talk about Manav Sadhna, education, family values etc etc. Barotbhai had me speak about health and hygiene. I didn't know how to attack this, since they're all women with kids and obviously much older than me. But I went in just like I did with the kids and said I'm going to teach you what I taught them. You're the moms, the cornerstone of any Indian family, and if you don't know this stuff and practice it yourself, you can't except your kids to either. I told them that you might not be educated or have had a chance to work or anything else, all things you hope for your kids, so in that area all you can do is encourage them, but when it comes to health, you can do everything they do. The talk was really general and basic, showering, keeping the house clean, brushing your teeth, handwashing (really pushed this with them). It was very light and simple, but the women had lots of fun. They were very grateful and understanding of what I was saying and appreciative that I took the time to talk to them.
The guy who ran the shibir was a bit irritating. After I finished my talk he was telling the women how insulting it was that I was telling them how to stay clean - "as if you don't already know this running a family and all" - immediately one of the Moms said no, we may know this but it doesn't mean we practice it, and we aren't educated enough to understand why we should do these things. The guy continued "but still I mean she's half your age and telling you how to take care of your family, if someone did that to me I'd be insulted. If you're not insulted you should be." I'm just sitting here with my jaw dropping since he was dead serious. But the women started all talking at once - how grateful they were to hear what I said, that if someone tells them something with this much love it's not an insult, that they realize I took time out of my day to teach them something that will only help them and how selfless that is etc etc etc. I was amazed that these women were arguing with this guy for me, who they had known for a total of 1 hour. I got up and left because I felt awkward being there, and later found out that this guy really was that big of an airhead and meant everything he said, but I walked away with a lesson: that it really is true that when someone tells you something with good intentions it is conveyed that way to the other person. I didn't mean to be insulting or to tell these women that I know better than them, just to share what I knew and reinforce what they knew - and they realized that emotion even after only hearing me talk for 30 minutes. It was really touching and made me realize that maybe I don't understand or appreciate how much of an impact I really have on their lives. I'm glad I got a chance to interact with them and I hope that in the future I can visit some of them and try to get to them on a bit more of a personal level.
Rohan - a ray of sunshine
I was sitting in prathna one day when Sunilbhai, one of the health project coordinator, calls me outside to see if I want to come with him to visit this kid, Rohan. Of course I ran and grabbed my purse and got in the car - any opportunity to see someone new and different, I'm there!
On the way Sunilbhai told me the history of Rohan. Sunilbhai ran into Rohan one day when he was just walking about. Rohan was begging. He looked at him and realized that Rohan had open sores on his arms. After trying to talk to him he was told that Rohan is deaf, blind, and dumb (unable to speak). He inquired about his family etc...found out that his parents have passed away and that Rohan lives with his aunt and uncle. His condition was apparently very poor, so Sunilbhai took him to the doctor right away. He got lots of medication, treatment (I can't remember the specifics). Seeing that Manav Sadhna was taking care of Rohan, the aunt and uncle disappeared from the picture, leaving him to Manav Sadhna to take care of. Manav Sadhna being who they are took excellent care of him. They took turns taking care of him in their own homes for months. The staff members just moved him from host family to family, including Virenbhai and Jayeshbhai the founders of Manav Sadhna. Once he recovered, they got him enrolled at the Blind People's Association which is an amazing institution for blind people where they have classes, housing, workshops etc. The stuff these people make (crafts and such) is unbelievable! Anyways, this organization didn't have the teachers trained well enough to work with someone with multiple disabilities like Rohan, so they moved him to a different school.
Rohan still comes to the Blind People's Association 2 days a week with another child, Sameer, with the same disabilities to take some classes and also help train some of these teachers. So we went to visit him there. Everyone was telling me how precious and loving Rohan is, and how I had to see it for myself.
We went upstairs to see him and the teachers walked him towards where we were standing. I was really nervous because while I've seen people in such situations, I had never interacted with them, and honestly just didn't know what to do. Sunilbhai went up to him and took his hand and drew circles in it. Instantly Rohan started smiling and drew circles back on Sunilbhai's hand - apparently this was their sign to recognize each other. Rohan was beaming with joy - I couldn't hold back my tears. Someone who quite literally has nothing to be happy about in life was so genuinely happy and brought happiness to those around him. Then he greeted Virenbhai - their sign is a pat near the heart. They showed Rohan the toys we brought and a hat we got him, since he apparently loves hats. Rohan kept trying to give the hat back to Sunilbhai put Sunilbhai kept giving it back until Rohan understood it was a gift to him. Then Rohan took the hat off and felt around for where Sameer was and put it on his head. Such a selfless gesture, I just couldn't comprehend it. While I was sitting here trying to process the scene in front of me Virenbhai pulled me forward and had me touch Rohan's hand and introduce me. All of my uncertainty and anxiety disappeared, but only because Rohan was so comfortable with me...he was helping me think of a sign for us! We couldn't decide on one, mostly because I could barely hold it together and Rohan was too busy getting excited trying to figure out who I was - how tall I was, how long my arms were, what my hair was like...
We left shortly after since we didn't want to disturb their class. As soon as the teacher sat him down at the table to work the first think Rohan did was feel for where Sameer was. He felt that Sameer was sitting in the chair. Next he felt for what Sameer was doing, if his shirt buttons were done, if his zipper was zipped. It was amazing to see the attention and care he felt towards Sameer - this brotherly instinct, even though Rohan is younger! The headmaster was telling us afterwards that every 5 minutes Rohan looks for Sameer, checks that he's okay, dressed properly etc.
This was definitely one of those experiences I can't describe in words. It was amazing to see this child with nothing yet acting like he had everything. More importantly it was amazing to see the basic human emotions that he possessed - happiness, recognition, concern, selflessness. And to see these emotions in a child like Rohan - when sometimes you feel like you don't see these emotions in an average adult let alone a child with so many disabilities and hardships to face. Seeing Rohan completely recharged me and filled me with so much love, joy, energy and just made me appreciate that you don't need much to make a positive impact on the world.
Rohan is a ray of sunshine on this world that I feel very fortunate to have met.
On the way Sunilbhai told me the history of Rohan. Sunilbhai ran into Rohan one day when he was just walking about. Rohan was begging. He looked at him and realized that Rohan had open sores on his arms. After trying to talk to him he was told that Rohan is deaf, blind, and dumb (unable to speak). He inquired about his family etc...found out that his parents have passed away and that Rohan lives with his aunt and uncle. His condition was apparently very poor, so Sunilbhai took him to the doctor right away. He got lots of medication, treatment (I can't remember the specifics). Seeing that Manav Sadhna was taking care of Rohan, the aunt and uncle disappeared from the picture, leaving him to Manav Sadhna to take care of. Manav Sadhna being who they are took excellent care of him. They took turns taking care of him in their own homes for months. The staff members just moved him from host family to family, including Virenbhai and Jayeshbhai the founders of Manav Sadhna. Once he recovered, they got him enrolled at the Blind People's Association which is an amazing institution for blind people where they have classes, housing, workshops etc. The stuff these people make (crafts and such) is unbelievable! Anyways, this organization didn't have the teachers trained well enough to work with someone with multiple disabilities like Rohan, so they moved him to a different school.
Rohan still comes to the Blind People's Association 2 days a week with another child, Sameer, with the same disabilities to take some classes and also help train some of these teachers. So we went to visit him there. Everyone was telling me how precious and loving Rohan is, and how I had to see it for myself.
We went upstairs to see him and the teachers walked him towards where we were standing. I was really nervous because while I've seen people in such situations, I had never interacted with them, and honestly just didn't know what to do. Sunilbhai went up to him and took his hand and drew circles in it. Instantly Rohan started smiling and drew circles back on Sunilbhai's hand - apparently this was their sign to recognize each other. Rohan was beaming with joy - I couldn't hold back my tears. Someone who quite literally has nothing to be happy about in life was so genuinely happy and brought happiness to those around him. Then he greeted Virenbhai - their sign is a pat near the heart. They showed Rohan the toys we brought and a hat we got him, since he apparently loves hats. Rohan kept trying to give the hat back to Sunilbhai put Sunilbhai kept giving it back until Rohan understood it was a gift to him. Then Rohan took the hat off and felt around for where Sameer was and put it on his head. Such a selfless gesture, I just couldn't comprehend it. While I was sitting here trying to process the scene in front of me Virenbhai pulled me forward and had me touch Rohan's hand and introduce me. All of my uncertainty and anxiety disappeared, but only because Rohan was so comfortable with me...he was helping me think of a sign for us! We couldn't decide on one, mostly because I could barely hold it together and Rohan was too busy getting excited trying to figure out who I was - how tall I was, how long my arms were, what my hair was like...
We left shortly after since we didn't want to disturb their class. As soon as the teacher sat him down at the table to work the first think Rohan did was feel for where Sameer was. He felt that Sameer was sitting in the chair. Next he felt for what Sameer was doing, if his shirt buttons were done, if his zipper was zipped. It was amazing to see the attention and care he felt towards Sameer - this brotherly instinct, even though Rohan is younger! The headmaster was telling us afterwards that every 5 minutes Rohan looks for Sameer, checks that he's okay, dressed properly etc.
This was definitely one of those experiences I can't describe in words. It was amazing to see this child with nothing yet acting like he had everything. More importantly it was amazing to see the basic human emotions that he possessed - happiness, recognition, concern, selflessness. And to see these emotions in a child like Rohan - when sometimes you feel like you don't see these emotions in an average adult let alone a child with so many disabilities and hardships to face. Seeing Rohan completely recharged me and filled me with so much love, joy, energy and just made me appreciate that you don't need much to make a positive impact on the world.
Rohan is a ray of sunshine on this world that I feel very fortunate to have met.
Why I didn't post for so long...this one is different!
So I know I have had a variety of reasons for not posting, but this one trumps them all!!
Someone who must really be out to get me decided one Friday afternoon that they were bored and would mess with me. So they proceeded to hack into my university, gmail, and facebook accounts and delete all 3 (all with different passwords I might add).
Getting the university account back was easy enough since the U has everything on their servers. I went through a million hoops to get the gmail account back which was tricky since my account no longer existed so going to recover password or any such normal option didn't work. When I tried to recover the entire account, I somehow couldn't prove the account was mine! They asked about who you contacted regularly etc, and it kept coming back saying we can't verify this is your account so we can't give it back to you to protect you and prevent fraud...you can see how this was unbelievably annoying. And since I never thought to back up my blog (who does that?!), I lost it. Luckily a friend of mine did some techy-y stuff and got me a copy of it back. Then another friend pulled some strings with some friends and got me back my account! So thank you for everyone who helped...and be careful is all I can say, I don't even know how to avoid such a problem...though google has a 2-step verification process for sign in now, I highly suggest taking advantage of that!
I decided facebook isn't worth the trouble to create a new account there, so I'm no longer on there :(
But now that I have everything back, I will post what I've been up to!!
Thanks for sticking with me and all of my technical issues :)
Someone who must really be out to get me decided one Friday afternoon that they were bored and would mess with me. So they proceeded to hack into my university, gmail, and facebook accounts and delete all 3 (all with different passwords I might add).
Getting the university account back was easy enough since the U has everything on their servers. I went through a million hoops to get the gmail account back which was tricky since my account no longer existed so going to recover password or any such normal option didn't work. When I tried to recover the entire account, I somehow couldn't prove the account was mine! They asked about who you contacted regularly etc, and it kept coming back saying we can't verify this is your account so we can't give it back to you to protect you and prevent fraud...you can see how this was unbelievably annoying. And since I never thought to back up my blog (who does that?!), I lost it. Luckily a friend of mine did some techy-y stuff and got me a copy of it back. Then another friend pulled some strings with some friends and got me back my account! So thank you for everyone who helped...and be careful is all I can say, I don't even know how to avoid such a problem...though google has a 2-step verification process for sign in now, I highly suggest taking advantage of that!
I decided facebook isn't worth the trouble to create a new account there, so I'm no longer on there :(
But now that I have everything back, I will post what I've been up to!!
Thanks for sticking with me and all of my technical issues :)
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