We look around and see heroes among us.

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We are thankful for the opportunity to work alongside the general practitioners and pediatricians here. It has been a privilege to partner with you and to learn from each other. Thanks especially to Dr. San San Win, Dr. Iyer Ramos, and the hospital administrators who helped coordinate each day. Thank you to Dr. Candi, Dr. Min, Dr. Rico, Dr. Slolely, Dr. Ravi, and the many others who patiently helped us navigate hospital admissions, referrals, and the daily ins and outs of the medical system.

We appreciate the kindness of the Couples Tower Isle Staff at the resort and the Ministry of Health drivers on our daily commute, making us feel welcome and teaching us about Jamaica—its culture, music, food, language, values, and so much more. We miss your smiles and warmth already.

We are inspired by Diane Pollard, who shared over dinner the story of her dream and its reality in starting the Issa Trust Foundation.

We are indebted to the families of our patients– for entrusting us to care for their children.

We value our young patients and the chance to intersect with their lives.

We give thanks for the opportunity to be in Jamaica.

And as we return to the States, we consider for ourselves… How to continue to engage the world around us? How to respond to the poverty, economic inequality, injustice, and violence streaming across the headlines, in other countries, in our nation, and in our very own city? What to do when it hits us between the eyes? It’s a small, uncomfortable feeling, but one that grows with the truth that life is short and that we truly should live, not merely exist. And we remember the words of Mother Teresa: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

So we seek to continue to respond with love—by doing small things, the hard things, and thus bringing hope for the future. We hope that you too are inspired.

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A sincere thank you to the Issa Trust Foundation and all who support its work.

Black for the strength and creativity of the people, gold for the beautiful sunshine, and green for the lush vegetation of the island. These are the colors of the Jamaican flag, and they reflect our experiences in Jamaica.

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We have witnessed the strength of the people in the hospital, A&E (also known as the ER), and clinic.

-The strength of a solo mother providing for and raising up children on her own.

-Three young boys sitting patiently with broken arms, waiting hours for the x-ray machine to be fixed.

-A grandmother’s hope and desire for a better future for her grandson, who is going blind after witnessing the murder of his father.

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We have treasured the beautiful sunshine, reflecting off the sparkling ocean. We have felt its power and heat.

-A drought has affected the island. The country did not receive the usual amount of rainfall during the typically wet months of May and June. Several of the country’s large reservoirs low, and the government is enforcing water restrictions.

-Hospitals are suffering from water shortages. In Kingston a few weeks ago, medical staff walked off the job as they reported being forced to work with little or no water.

-The Jamaica Agricultural Society reports 16000 farmers are affected by the drought, ruining crops and wiping out earnings of farming families.

-With the difficulty of high temperatures and windy conditions, the island has endured dozens of bush fires for the past few weeks. On our daily commute, we witness bush fires and fire fighters at work along the road. The air quality continues to decline due to dust, smoke, and pollution, bringing more children suffering from asthma to see us in the clinic and A&E.

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Even so, we are amazed by the beautiful landscape of Jamaica.

-The beauty of the deep ocean overwhelms and awakens my heart.

-The tropical fruits and vegetables from the land are so tasty—sugar cane, coconuts, ginger, mango, papaya, and the ackee fruit to name a few. The ackee fruit is the national fruit of Jamaica, which we’ve enjoyed in the national Jamaican dish of ackee and saltfish. Don’t worry; we’ve avoided eating unripe portions of the fruit and getting “Jamaican vomiting sickness” (profound hypoglycemia and intractable vomiting caused from the toxin hypoglycin A, which irreversibly binds coenzyme A, carnitine, and carnitine acyltransferases I and II, for those of you who are curious).

-We don’t say lush very often, but we’ve used it a lot here. The views take our breath away. Amidst hardship, we behold the extravagant beauty of the land and in its people. As our driver queried us on Monday, how can we deny the work and love of the Creator?

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We give thanks for the opportunity to share in the culture and beauty of Jamaica and its children, women, and men. We are grateful to those here who have shared pieces of their lives with us—pieces of hope, strength, and creativity. We appreciate the warm welcome and hospitality of the Couples Resort and its staff, the kindness and help of the doctors particularly at Port Maria Hospital, and the smiles and hugs of our young patients.

Thank you for reading and sharing in this experience with us.

 

Packing List: I traveled in June, which is rainy season and also has humid temperatures. My list is not in any particular order except how I remember it. Umbrella or thin waterproof jacket: This is useful to get around, although you never travel in an open jeep. Get an umbrella that is small sized as your daily bag will otherwise get heavier. Gloves: Get a few boxes. Most places have gloves but may sometimes run out depending on supply. If you have left over, like I did, you can either give to the hospital or leave back in the Villa at Couples for the next volunteers to use. Ophthalmoscope and otoscope: Get small, lightweight portable ones. This is easily a must, if you want to get through clinic more efficiently. I used these nearly every day. There are a lot of versions available online, buy something which gives you a good deal with a sizeable stock of disposable ear nozzles. Most importantly it has to be extremely lightweight. Cross-body small purse: I used this to put my clinical equipment in – the eye and ear scopes, measuring tapes, extra nozzles, antibacterial gel, handkerchief and phone or other personal item. This was useful as one of the blog posts says don’t leave anything in the room as it may disappear. This method kept my hands free and my clinical tools available. Tourniquets: if you are used to them to do lab draws, most places don’t have any. They just tie a glove instead to obtain IV access. Easy tear surgical tape – they are in short supply occasionally. Most places are well stocked. Stethoscope(s), toys to attach to stethoscope or bubbles to pacify children. Laptop bag: I found my own laptop bag more convenient to use as it had more capacity to hold the books, water and lunch. Notebook: It is easier to keep a written running list as you complete charts, to send to Diane about patients seen every day. This does not need identifiers. I did not generally have time to log the patients in the laptop. I would do that after going back to the hotel. CDC and WHO growth charts – take them with you as you may need them Harriet Lane: There is one copy in the Villa. If you have more than one person going that month then better to have your own latest copy to use. I had data roaming on my cell phone but it only gave me 2G coverage, so the book was very important for me. Flu masks: keep a few if you may ever need them. Respiratory illnesses are prevalent. Small flashlight: To walk to and from the Villa after dark.