We have been away for about a month now. In some ways it feels as though the time flew by and others ways it feels like we have been here for a long time.
We seem to be adjusting more every day. I have been working at the hospital 3 days a week for 2 hrs at a time. This week I will be starting to work at the children's library on Thursdays from 4-5pm. My job is to teach the children from town English. They are younger/school age so we will be doing fun activities. I went to check things out yesterday and I was showered with an assortment of beautiful flowers that the children had picked for me. I think they are excited to have a new teacher. ;)
So far, I have really enjoyed my time at the hospital. Its much different than the hospitals at home. I work in the pediatric ward. There are 60 beds. About 7 beds to a room, some beds are even in the hallway. Their only entertainment is each other and the 1 toy that they get for the day. That's my job. I do toy rounds! Its really quite fun. I go around with a cart full of toys. Each child chooses which toy they would like for the day. I am very impressed with the toy selection they have. Most all the toys have been donations but they really have an impressive amount to choose from. They also have a play room, which I work in 1 day a week. We do art projects, play board games, there are a few trikes for the kids to ride on and lots of toys. Things can get a little chaotic in the play room but its fun.
My favorite thing about people from Nepal is how kind they are. I have been to other parts of the world and people can act greedy (in an "every man for themselves") kind of way. When I walk into the room with my cart of toys. The parents and children sit and wait patiently for their turn to choose. And they are SO appreciative.
There seem to be all kinds of reasons for hospitalization. The majority of the kids come in through trauma. Arm fractures (from climbing trees/hills), and lots of burns. The burns usually come from falling into a pot of boiling food, milk, water. Its the absolutely saddest thing I have EVER seen.
I had my first Child Life intervention yesterday. An 8 year old boy came in after bumping into his mother who was holding a pot of boiling milk. The milk poured down his chest, causing 3rd degree burns. So yesterday I was doing my toys rounds and I heard this boy screaming and crying. It was a painful cry. I went to see what was going on. This 8 yr old boy was sitting, naked on a little stool in the bathroom while his mother and aunt were gently pouring water on the dressing which covered his chest. They were trying to peel off this dressing to air out the burn and put more medication on it. I can honestly say it looked excruciating. Immediately, tears welled up into my eyes. I wanted to stop it and take the pain way. I said a quick prayer to myself, croutched down at his level and starting singing "twinkle little star". His crying dyed down and he looked at me. I then asked the Mom to stop and wait for 5 minutes. I then ran as fast as I could back to my house (which was all uphill). I grabbed my "go to" child life distraction tools; my light up wand, bubbles, and squish ball. I ran back down to the hospital where they were waiting. I gave him the squish ball and we alternated between the light up wand and blowing bubbles (blowing bubbles are helpful for people in distress because it helps them to take deep breaths). I sang every song I could think of for about 50 minutes. Then finally the last of the bandage came off. I could tell that we all felt the relief.
This intervention went well but it was hard for me because I spent the rest of the day reflecting on how it could have gone different/better. Why was the mother taking off the bandage and not a nurse? Where were the pain meds?? Why was water the only substance to help pull back the gauze? Why wasnt a coping plan in place?? I have a lot to learn about the hospital and I want to be respectful and not try and run in and change things right away. This can be a challenge.
Winslow continues to be a show stopper around Tansen. People know his name wherever we go. Last week we walked into church a a group of ladies, whom I had never met yelled out "Win!" Needless to say, Winslow is not lacking any attention. ;)
Photos!!!
Ryan, Win and I went for a 5 hour hike last weekend! Incredible views. We hiked along the mountain side and then down, into the valley. We ended at a delicious restaurant called Rose Resort. We sat in a garden. There were 50 different kinds of roses!
Taking a little snack break on our way down the mountain.
My Sound of Music pose. ;)
Win loves to carry a stick when we hike. He holds tight even while he sleeps.
Terraced fields of rice!
