Day 2: Managua Hospital Visit

Our second full day in Nicaragua started with a visit to the coyote, the local money changer.  We were told that although banks in Nicaragua are safe, they can be very intimidating places for people who are not familiar with them.  So, instead, we pulled up in front of the bank and were met by a local pastor whose other job is coyote.  We opened our side door and exchanged our US dollars for cordobas right in the parking lot. 

Part of the intimidation.  The bank had three armed guards patrolling the front.

The coyote and his very large wad of cash.

After exchanging our money, we took a quick driving tour of Managua, stopping at the Plaza de la Revolucion.  I can't remember all of the details that Samuel, our interpreter, told me, but I do remember one of the members of the "Nine", the leaders of the revolution is buried here.

The original Managuan cathedral.  It was severely damaged in the 1972 earthquake.  Looking closely, we could bullet holes from the revolution.

Casa de los Pueblos.

The little boy on the left started begging for money almost immediately.  We were told we should refuse beggars, which was very difficult for some in the party.  When he saw the older boy on the right making his animals out of coconut palm fronds to raise money to buy a uniform so he could go to school, he quickly got into the act.

He did fairly well from us.

Although his animal was not nearly as impressive, I had to buy it.  We talked about how, hopefully, he learned a better way to make some money.

Our next stop was at La Mascota , the children's hospital in Nicaragua.  We first visited the maternity ward, where we handed out stuffed animals and clothing to the mothers of the babies.  They were very welcoming and appreciative.

Arriving at the hospital.

A premature baby in an incubator.

Some of the mothers were gracious enough to allow the students to hold their children.  By the look on this baby's eyes, I think this might be the first Canadian he has ever seen.

Some of the nurses were also excited to get stuffed animals.

A few of us also visited the Intensive Care Unit.

Our nurses were shocked to learn that there were only 3 nurses to look after 12 very ill babies.  They also had only one ventilator, which meant up to 4 babies had to take turns using it, when they should be hooked up to one 24 hours a day.

One of our nurses, Susan, felt obligated to take a picture of me in my gown.  I am only including it because my Grade 12 students at home are currently finishing up One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest and when I saw this photo, I could not help but think that I would definitely fit in on Nurse Ratched's ward.

After the maternity ward, we went to do an art project with the children on the Cancer ward.  Each student took two pieces of paper, paints and brushes into a child's room and did a painting with them.  They then exchanged paintings, the child keeping the student's and the student keeping the child's.  It was a very special time and one that I found both very difficult and inspiring.

Meeting the family.

Initially, the language barrier made the students a little hesitant.

But it didn't take much more than a smile to make a connection. 

As I told the students last night during our debriefing, this was very powerful for me as I got to put my beliefs about photography into practise.  

All of the patients were kind enough to let me take their photos.

But only after showing the patient, and sometimes the parent, the photo would the patient's eyes then light up and I would take a second photo. 

This little girl and her brother were just being checked in.

This little boy loved having his photo taken.  He waved me back every time I passed his room.

Isaac found some paints and paper for this older boy who was in his wheelchair in the hall.  I kept his painting.

Because we ended up giving a toy to every child we saw, including this boy in the play room, we did not have enough toys to give to the kids who we painted with.  However, we promised we would return later in the day with toys for them.

Our last scheduled stop of the day was at Berta Calderon, the women's hospital, where Mr. Breen became re-acquainted with Marta, a little fireball of a woman who runs the Albergue, where patients receiving chemotherapy reside.

Mr. Breen and Marta.

Some of the woman are learning how to sew.  We were shown some beautiful quilts that they had made.

We were greeted with some beautiful singing.

Up to 60 women share two buildings.  Up until a year ago, some of the beds did not even have mattresses.  The women slept on cardboard spread over the box springs.

We saw our first cats of the trip here.  We learned that one of our drivers, Chepe, is a cat lover.  He said he hopes to return to adopt this guy, who has some obvious problems with his leg.

Part of the group after a tour of the hospital.

One of the woman waiting by the gate for her husband to deliver food and drink.  I found this incredibly sad.  No one could answer my question as to why the women aren't allowed to see their husbands during their treatment.

Upon finishing our tour, one of the vans returned to our home base, while the other returned to deliver the promised stuffed animals.

You see some amazing things on the roads of Managua.  This truck was carrying what looked like the parts of another truck in the back, as well as a not so well secured passenger.

This little girl, who was not in the ward during our first visit, was very happy to receive a gift.

Leaving the hospital.  Although it rains briefly most days during the rainy season, it does not take long for the water to dry up.

Lots of dogs in the city.  But not many cats.  We were told that most Nicaraguans hate cats.

Arriving back at Jenny's, we had a delicious supper, did some debriefing where many of the group shared their highs and lows of the day, and made lunch and prepared our bags for our first medical clinic tomorrow.

The debriefing.

Making lunch.  Not sure why Lindsay looks so unhappy.

Getting the medi-packs, clothing and toys prepared.

The pill sorters.

The toys for tomorrow.