Day 8
Working at the Clinic has brought about a mixed array offeelings for all of us this past week; overwhelmed by the amount of people andthe language barrier, grateful for our luxuries back home, accomplished for thehelp that we can bring the natives, helplessness for only a certain amount of carewe can provide, a test of patience from little children wanting the toys wehand out, tired from the day’s work, and so on. What amazes me most is thenative staff we work with; composed of Ulpiano - a male nurse who perceives theworld through relaxed and humorous lens, Norma – a sweet and enjoyable lady whohelps us to translate past the language differences, Zarida – an independentand hardworking young woman who helps to organize patients, and Mirna, a small ladywho has worked as a nurse here her entire life. With just a week have passedworking in the clinic, I can only imagine what someone like Mirna has beenthrough. She is a compelling woman, who has outreached to so many people inneed, especially with in her community. She has worked with our teams fromyears passed, showing her unbreakable dedication. Mirna is a woman of bigsmiles and embracing hugs. Thus it is essential to tell her story, consideringshe has touched each and every one of us in a special way:
MirnaMontenegro has lived in Bongo her entire life. With her extended family livingas her neighbors, she has come to value the meaning of family. She has threechildren: Arturo, Samuel, and Karena. The two males, who happen to be theeldest as well, now work in Panama City. However, Karena lives with Mirna andtakes after her loving personality. Mirna’s community has become her family;she is extremely involved in the local Catholic Church and works at the Clinicfive times a week. She has worked here for the past 28 years. Before she workedat the Clinic she would travel from area to area handing out vaccinations. Shewas chosen from a group of three people to have responsibility of thisposition, to which she utilizes with success. Five times a month she travels byhorseback to other areas like Bongo – small and in need – to give out vaccines.She has also been a member of the Church her entire life. With no educationpast the second grade, Mirna was lucky to take part in a class about nursing.Educated by a citizen of the United States, Mirna was able to learn aboutvaccinations and such in order to help those in her community family. Not onlyis she a hero to her community, but she is also a mean cook; we were luckyenough to taste her delicious Panamanian-style potato salad, amazing chicken empanadas, and herstrawberry-like cake that she so kind-heartedly made for us as a gift on ourlast day (it was a nice change from a week full of PB&Js for lunch). Her warming personality is strikingly noticeable; she does everythingin her ability to welcome us as if we were family. Her strength in the communityis an example for us all, just like Nati.
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