Service

My host Rotary Club of Cali invited me to help out with a day of service that provided many underprivileged children of the area with free dental and eye care, and it was definitely a worthwhile event. The clinic was held at Hogar María Goretti, a home for girls who have been abused (most of them sexually), neglected, and abandoned.

These girls were looking down from the second floor, growing nervous as they contemplated what their visit with a dentist might entail.


After helping out with set-up, I was assigned the task of assisting the dentists (who were actually dental students who kindly volunteered their time). I proved to be quite lousy at this, as they would ask me to hand them a tool, and (since I don't know the names of most dental apparatuses in English, let alone in Spanish) I wasn't exactly the most "efficient" volunteer. Ergo, I soon was usurped and was able to spend time with the children who were waiting their turn. I felt like I connected very well with them, and I really enjoyed our exchanges. Thank goodness for being inadequate as a dental assistant! =)

One group that provided for particularly interesting communication was that of deaf/mute children who had come to partake in the day's activities. I quickly learned the signs for removing teeth, crying, and fear. At one point, one little boy ran and held onto me, in tears, confused and scared after the dentist had attempted to explain the procedure of removing one of his teeth; a lot of the reassurance that he needed seemed to have been lost in translation. The history of most of these deaf children (as told to me by their instructor) , the majority of whom come from poverty, is very unfair and tragic, but I found them to be quite endearing-- in spite of our language barriers.

Finally, a very positive outcome of the event was the fact that I am going to coach my own little jump rope club at Hogar María Goretti!! The girls seemed very excited about the idea, and I even wrote a quite technical proposal about my intended outcomes, qualifications as an instructor, prospective schedule, etc. I have a few technicalities to work out, but I plan on starting this week. Be on the lookout for updates about our little team; here's hoping all the pieces fall into place!

Here are Luciana and Alejandra, two of my future jump ropers. 80)