An Update from Catrina Ziesman
It is hard to believe that four months have passed since leaving Canada. The diversity of projects that I have been so privileged to work on in the past 2 months have contributed a great deal towards both my personal and professional development. I have had such unique experiences and opportunities to develop tangible abilities, overcome challenging obstacles and contribute significantly to each project that I am given.
A large part of my time here is spent in liasoning with medical and NGO groups from the USA and Canada who come to visit the Rotary Club and Junta de Beneficencia on humanitarian charity missions. Most of the work with these groups that I have taken part in range from fundraising initiatives to in-hospital project management. With two members from the Canadian based not-for-profit organization named MATE/FCC whom spent one week here in Ecuador, I was able to assist in the compilation of numerous presentations and fundraising initiatives including: a workshop on maternal health and planned parenting in one of Guayaquil’s maternity hospitals and logistical planning and preparations for raising funds for Luis Vernaza Hospital’s Burn Unit. I was fortunate to travel up to the mountains of Alausí to an orphanage and support in the donation of sewing machines and materials for vocational training from the MATE/FCC organization. Furthermore, in regards to the Rotary Club of Guayaquil’s fundraising initiatives, we succeeded in collecting hundreds of Christmas donations that as a dedicated team, we sorted, packaged and delivered to communities in need on the outskirts of the city.
Two of the most memorable and pivotal project moments were spent working in the Junta de Beneficencia’s Hospital de los Niños (children’s hospital) and Manuel Galecio Asilo (orphanage). In the children’s hospital I worked alongside a group of surgeons from Pennsylvania USA, who performed heart surgeries for economically poor children under the age of 15. It was in this role that I was able to console families through transferring information of surgery outcomes for their child and assisting American doctors and Ecuadorian nurses in care and rehabilitation of the children whom were operated on. In the orphanage, I spent one week teaching English to the 99 young girl inhabitants. I aided the orphanage staff in structuring English classes for the girls and it was in this week that I truly saw the impact that role modeling has upon young, impressionable and beautiful children and girls.
On a personal note, there are always a few special moments that touch my spirit and that remind me, during the toughest of times, of why I am here and of how blessed I truly am to be doing what I love. The first moment being in the children’s hospital, where I was able to bond particularly with the family of a 6 month old baby. After sitting by her bedside for 2 days, talking with her family about their lives and their gratefulness for a free surgery that will prolong the life of their little girl, I was cordially asked to be the Godmother of their little Maytee. I visit with this family regularly to continuously extend my love to my little precious Maytee!
With Christmas passing while here in Ecuador, emotions were running high as I quickly realized how much I missed the comforts and love of home. I was welcomed into the home of a friend here to participate in what turned out to be one of the most memorable Christmases of my life. I spent the 25th in true Ecuadorian fashion: outside in the warm Ecuadorian sun, attending a beautiful Church procession, eating 4 plates of ‘seco de pollo’ (yes, 4 plates!), and dancing to Salsa music in a small cement one bedroom home with a family of 10 until the wee hours of the morning!
It has been, at times, a challenging few months, however, these challenges have given me the opportunity to take the initiative to overcome obstacles and turn them into positive outcomes. And the special personal moments are truly what makes it all worthwhile!
Remaining 2 months: Perhaps most importantly, I am lucky enough to have my mother and sister coming to visit for a 10 day vacation where I hope to travel with them throughout the South of Ecuador. It will be a wonderful way to ring in the New Year! In January, I will be working in an organization with children who have special needs, particularly in the areas of education and rehabilitation with their families. I will continue to work on fundraising initiatives for the Rotary Club of Guayaquil and the Junta de Beneficencia, and am also trying to head up some smaller independent projects in the children’s hospital (previously mentioned) that will aid in furthering the education of the Ecuadorian medical staff.
I want to wish you all a belated Feliz Navidad, and a Prospero Año Nuevo to ring in 2011! I am looking forward to seeing you all very soon, and hope that the winter has not been too cruel to you! Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments, as I love to receive messages from home! catrinaziesman@gmail.com
Saludos Cordiales, Catrina