I just love these little ones!
Showing posts with label Work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Work. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Babies
I had the opportunity to help Chelsea with her Food for Healthy Babies program. She had the idea to develop a program for at risk (malnourished, under wight, or who may be HIV positive) babies. Basically, it's an educational feeding program focusing on introducing solid foods to babies. We developed lessons on feeding baby with a cup and spoon, doing food demonstrations on making porridge, fresh fruit juice, homemade baby food (which they had never seen before), and baking healthy snacks (focusing on the importance of feeding baby with wholesome foods instead of packaged snacks), and parenting with love (making meal time fun for baby). Overall, although we ran into some errors, the program was successful and we enjoyed the time we got to spend with cute babies and friendly mothers.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
14 Months
I can definitely say I'm on the down hill slope now, less than 12 months to go!!!
And this month I'll be home soaking up family time, good eats, and cooler weather, it's going to be so great!
Last Thursday Chelsea and I completed the start of the Be Safe! program with a graduation for the 18 nurses and teachers who participated in and delivered the program to 9 school across Linden. The program has been a success and we can't wait to see where it goes from here. I know I already have two nursery schools lined up to teach the 6 week course and I can't wait for these kids to meet Trusty the Turtle!
Here's a little glimpse into Be Safe!
Re-enforcement is key
And this month I'll be home soaking up family time, good eats, and cooler weather, it's going to be so great!
Last Thursday Chelsea and I completed the start of the Be Safe! program with a graduation for the 18 nurses and teachers who participated in and delivered the program to 9 school across Linden. The program has been a success and we can't wait to see where it goes from here. I know I already have two nursery schools lined up to teach the 6 week course and I can't wait for these kids to meet Trusty the Turtle!
Here's a little glimpse into Be Safe!
The goal: prevent child abuse & let kids take ownership of their bodies
Each card is one lesson
Re-enforcement is key
Kids preforming a little song about Be Safe!
The graduates
The graduation was on TV!
& aren't these little ones so cute?
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Wednesdays
Wednesdays are the busiest mornings at the health center. Mothers bring their infants and children in to get vaccines. About 30-50 mothers (maybe a few fathers) come and settle in for the morning as they know it’s going to be awhile. They hand the clerk their child’s card, which contains information from the day they were born. Their babies get their height and weighed measured and then sit waiting to be called. Some days it’s a mad house.
I like Wednesdays because I actually do work. I call in patients, chart the child’s height and weight, talk to parents about nutrition and or the importance of breast-feeding and I get to see little babies. Since I’ve been working at the health center I’ve gotten to know many mothers and their children. It’s crazy to have met a woman when she was pregnant and now watching her child grow. [Side story, one mother brought in her son—I went with one of the nurses the week he was born to do his health assessment—when I saw her with him the other day I couldn’t believe how big he was, he is now 9 months old, it blew me away.]
Anyway, on our walk today Chelsea told me about an undernourished baby she saw yesterday at her clinic. Surprisingly I haven’t seen too many undernourished children but today I saw two. One was my patient, the baby was 2 months old and the mother was not breast-feeding her, when I asked her what she was feeding her baby (who she has yet named) she responded with water and tea. The other nurse in the room over heard this and just let into this mother telling her she HAS to breast feed her baby. The woman was not pleased and she didn’t believe that her baby only needed breast milk. I tried to explain how her baby’s stomach is not developed yet for foods like tea, fruit juice and porridge. I hope she does the right thing for her baby.
The second case was one Medex called me in for. When I walked into the room I saw a very little boy sitting on a woman’s lap. One look at him and I knew he was malnourished. He’s a year old but looks about the size of a 6 month old. He’s so tiny, with little arms and legs, and a sunken in face. He broke my heart; I wanted to take him away right then and there. Medex couldn’t believe this mother and was quite harsh with her.
The crazy thing is both these mothers have other children. I don’t understand how a mother cannot take care of her children. It really is heart wrenching.
I like Wednesdays because I actually do work. I call in patients, chart the child’s height and weight, talk to parents about nutrition and or the importance of breast-feeding and I get to see little babies. Since I’ve been working at the health center I’ve gotten to know many mothers and their children. It’s crazy to have met a woman when she was pregnant and now watching her child grow. [Side story, one mother brought in her son—I went with one of the nurses the week he was born to do his health assessment—when I saw her with him the other day I couldn’t believe how big he was, he is now 9 months old, it blew me away.]
Anyway, on our walk today Chelsea told me about an undernourished baby she saw yesterday at her clinic. Surprisingly I haven’t seen too many undernourished children but today I saw two. One was my patient, the baby was 2 months old and the mother was not breast-feeding her, when I asked her what she was feeding her baby (who she has yet named) she responded with water and tea. The other nurse in the room over heard this and just let into this mother telling her she HAS to breast feed her baby. The woman was not pleased and she didn’t believe that her baby only needed breast milk. I tried to explain how her baby’s stomach is not developed yet for foods like tea, fruit juice and porridge. I hope she does the right thing for her baby.
The second case was one Medex called me in for. When I walked into the room I saw a very little boy sitting on a woman’s lap. One look at him and I knew he was malnourished. He’s a year old but looks about the size of a 6 month old. He’s so tiny, with little arms and legs, and a sunken in face. He broke my heart; I wanted to take him away right then and there. Medex couldn’t believe this mother and was quite harsh with her.
The crazy thing is both these mothers have other children. I don’t understand how a mother cannot take care of her children. It really is heart wrenching.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Lights. Camera. Action.
Happy February!!
I’m so excited for this month! For starters, it’s the shortest month. Second, in a few days I’ll be celebrating my one-year in Guyana. And C, in 14 days the new group of volunteers arrive! It’s going to be a very busy month.
Today has been a great day. Chelsea and I finished recording our segment for “Ready or Not”, our monthly health TV program. And Chris, a GUY21er interviewed us for a documentary he is doing for Peace Corps’ 50th anniversary, which is next month.
He is interviewing both volunteers and Host Country Nationals about Peace Corps, life in Guyana, what it’s been like for people working with Americans, what have we learned about working with Guyanese, our struggles, the bizarre foods we’ve eaten and much more.
The interview was a huge eye opener that I really am learning and growing from this experience. Sure it’s not always easy, but life isn’t easy. I’m proud to be here and I know I’m going to think back on this time in my life often. I’ve come to see the true beauty that is Guyana, especially within the people. I’ve come to accept the island time mentality. I’ve learned that no matter what it’s important to keep and open mind and heart. Above all I’ve gained confidence and self-awareness.
I can’t wait to see the finished product of the documentary and hope to share it with you.
Filming the rest of “Read or Not” was fun.
I discussed Go, Grow, and Glow foods and had three different food demonstrations prepared to show meals containing foods from the 3 categories. Chelsea interviewed me asking me questions about the different food groups and why it’s important to incorporate all 3 into each meal. I also talked about the importance of eating the right portion size and why people need to watch how much salt, fat, and sugar they consume. It was a successful take.
Then I displayed each meal, talked about it and had a local person try the food.
I demoed oatmeal with milk, a little sugar and raisins, expressing that this breakfast choice is full of Go, Grow, and Glow foods. I had a young woman be my ginnie pig, she was a good actress and said it was good for the camera but when he stopped filming she spit it out. I thought it was funny because here we are trying to give people healthier meal options but she didn’t like it. A common breakfast food here is porridge and people drink it, it’s mostly flour, sugar, and milk so my oatmeal was definitely different than what she and most people are use to.
For a healthy lunch option we made cook-up rice (rice, beans, coconut milk, and veggies) I love cook-up but I made some alterations by not using cubes, meat, and added more veggies. I didn’t want to put meat in my cook-up to tell people that rice and beans together makes a complete protein meaning you don’t necessarily need meat in order to get your protein and I referred to this as a good choice for vegetarians. The young man who tried my cook-up said it was fine just not salty enough, which allowed me explain why I don’t cook with cubes or a lot of salt.
Then I had him try our snack of whole wheat bread with peanut butter and slices of banana on top. First, we actually had a little girl try this snack. She stuffed a small square of the bread in her mouth, chewed a little but didn’t swallow. We asked her if she wanted to spit it out and she shook her head yes. So I guess this is a snack little kids won’t like. But the guy who tried it for us on camera said he liked it. Overall, the whole thing was good and funny and I’m sure people are going to think we are just crazy. It will be interesting to see what people say after the show airs.
I’m so excited for this month! For starters, it’s the shortest month. Second, in a few days I’ll be celebrating my one-year in Guyana. And C, in 14 days the new group of volunteers arrive! It’s going to be a very busy month.
Today has been a great day. Chelsea and I finished recording our segment for “Ready or Not”, our monthly health TV program. And Chris, a GUY21er interviewed us for a documentary he is doing for Peace Corps’ 50th anniversary, which is next month.
He is interviewing both volunteers and Host Country Nationals about Peace Corps, life in Guyana, what it’s been like for people working with Americans, what have we learned about working with Guyanese, our struggles, the bizarre foods we’ve eaten and much more.
The interview was a huge eye opener that I really am learning and growing from this experience. Sure it’s not always easy, but life isn’t easy. I’m proud to be here and I know I’m going to think back on this time in my life often. I’ve come to see the true beauty that is Guyana, especially within the people. I’ve come to accept the island time mentality. I’ve learned that no matter what it’s important to keep and open mind and heart. Above all I’ve gained confidence and self-awareness.
I can’t wait to see the finished product of the documentary and hope to share it with you.
Chris interviewing Chelsea
Filming the rest of “Read or Not” was fun.
I discussed Go, Grow, and Glow foods and had three different food demonstrations prepared to show meals containing foods from the 3 categories. Chelsea interviewed me asking me questions about the different food groups and why it’s important to incorporate all 3 into each meal. I also talked about the importance of eating the right portion size and why people need to watch how much salt, fat, and sugar they consume. It was a successful take.
Then I displayed each meal, talked about it and had a local person try the food.
I demoed oatmeal with milk, a little sugar and raisins, expressing that this breakfast choice is full of Go, Grow, and Glow foods. I had a young woman be my ginnie pig, she was a good actress and said it was good for the camera but when he stopped filming she spit it out. I thought it was funny because here we are trying to give people healthier meal options but she didn’t like it. A common breakfast food here is porridge and people drink it, it’s mostly flour, sugar, and milk so my oatmeal was definitely different than what she and most people are use to.
For a healthy lunch option we made cook-up rice (rice, beans, coconut milk, and veggies) I love cook-up but I made some alterations by not using cubes, meat, and added more veggies. I didn’t want to put meat in my cook-up to tell people that rice and beans together makes a complete protein meaning you don’t necessarily need meat in order to get your protein and I referred to this as a good choice for vegetarians. The young man who tried my cook-up said it was fine just not salty enough, which allowed me explain why I don’t cook with cubes or a lot of salt.
Then I had him try our snack of whole wheat bread with peanut butter and slices of banana on top. First, we actually had a little girl try this snack. She stuffed a small square of the bread in her mouth, chewed a little but didn’t swallow. We asked her if she wanted to spit it out and she shook her head yes. So I guess this is a snack little kids won’t like. But the guy who tried it for us on camera said he liked it. Overall, the whole thing was good and funny and I’m sure people are going to think we are just crazy. It will be interesting to see what people say after the show airs.
Explaining the foods I used for cook-up
Trying the cook-up
Waiting for his thoughts
Friday, January 28, 2011
What It's All About
This week has been good and busy. I’ve been so busy lately and my calendar is pretty full until I come home in April. Being this busy is really making the time fly by, I can’t believe next week is already February!
I’m feeling like my old self again, which I’m so grateful for, I haven’t had any stomach issues lately and I feel like I have a new outlook on my life and what I’m doing here. I truly believe everything happens for a reason.
With that said, my time here isn’t about building a play ground or writing a manual, or painting a mural, I really don’t have to leave anything tangible behind. It’s about the relationships I’m building with the people. My friend Paul wrote a great post called the “Relationship Project” on his blog. I think his thoughts are so true about the Peace Corps as a whole and the roll of the volunteer.
This week was the first time in over a month that I went to the hospital kitchen. I was thinking about ending my time there since I mostly just clean and cut bunches of green onions. However, I ran into 3 ladies who work there on the street the other afternoon, they gave me a hug and asked when I was coming back? I told them I’d be there Tuesday. I’m glad I went, the ladies who work there are awesome and I enjoy spending my time learning from them and gaffing. Even though it’s not “real PC community development work” it’s about the relationships I’m forming with the ladies. I spent most of the morning with Mona, the baker, as we just sat and talked and made bread. So my Tuesdays are now dedicated to the Relationship Project-Hospital Kitchen.
One of the ladies asked me, “You be home next year?” which I had to stop and think about…I will be home next year! It kind of shocked me that I will be home in about a year.
This week was also my first time back at the nursery school since they left for Christmas break. It was so good seeing the bright smiles on the kid’s faces as they ran up hugging and kissing me. They said things like, “Teacher Sara we miss you” “you lef us” “where you been?” They truly melt my heart. I love my relationship with these kiddos. I read them two stories, it was so funny because they gathered so close to me that no one had any space and they kept playing with my hair and grabbing my hands. Just spending some time with these kids is enough for me to know I am doing something important here and I’ll be returning with a heart full of love for these little ones.
Chelsea and I have been busy with our friend Trusty the Turtle and the Be Safe Program. It's a great program from the Guyana Red Cross teaching children ages 5-9 how their bodies are there own, and how sexual abuse and domestic violence are wrong. We've been working with and training teachers and nurses for this 6 week program. We are really excited about it and hope it has a successful outcome.
We are pretty excited for this project as well!!
I’m feeling like my old self again, which I’m so grateful for, I haven’t had any stomach issues lately and I feel like I have a new outlook on my life and what I’m doing here. I truly believe everything happens for a reason.
With that said, my time here isn’t about building a play ground or writing a manual, or painting a mural, I really don’t have to leave anything tangible behind. It’s about the relationships I’m building with the people. My friend Paul wrote a great post called the “Relationship Project” on his blog. I think his thoughts are so true about the Peace Corps as a whole and the roll of the volunteer.
This week was the first time in over a month that I went to the hospital kitchen. I was thinking about ending my time there since I mostly just clean and cut bunches of green onions. However, I ran into 3 ladies who work there on the street the other afternoon, they gave me a hug and asked when I was coming back? I told them I’d be there Tuesday. I’m glad I went, the ladies who work there are awesome and I enjoy spending my time learning from them and gaffing. Even though it’s not “real PC community development work” it’s about the relationships I’m forming with the ladies. I spent most of the morning with Mona, the baker, as we just sat and talked and made bread. So my Tuesdays are now dedicated to the Relationship Project-Hospital Kitchen.
One of the ladies asked me, “You be home next year?” which I had to stop and think about…I will be home next year! It kind of shocked me that I will be home in about a year.
This week was also my first time back at the nursery school since they left for Christmas break. It was so good seeing the bright smiles on the kid’s faces as they ran up hugging and kissing me. They said things like, “Teacher Sara we miss you” “you lef us” “where you been?” They truly melt my heart. I love my relationship with these kiddos. I read them two stories, it was so funny because they gathered so close to me that no one had any space and they kept playing with my hair and grabbing my hands. Just spending some time with these kids is enough for me to know I am doing something important here and I’ll be returning with a heart full of love for these little ones.
Chelsea and I have been busy with our friend Trusty the Turtle and the Be Safe Program. It's a great program from the Guyana Red Cross teaching children ages 5-9 how their bodies are there own, and how sexual abuse and domestic violence are wrong. We've been working with and training teachers and nurses for this 6 week program. We are really excited about it and hope it has a successful outcome.
This is Trusty isn't he cute?
We've also been busy turning people into food!
We've been working with a local TV station developing a health series known as "Ready or Not?" Every month we cover a different health topic and record a 30 minute segment. For the month of February we are discussing nutrition and how it's important to eat Go foods, Grow foods, and Glow foods. With the help of local Peer Educators we did a nutrition skit showing how it's bad to have too much of a certain type of food. Their skit was all about food going to a food party and then the Nutrition Police had to come in and break up the party and kick out the "bad" food. It was hilarious!
We've been working with a local TV station developing a health series known as "Ready or Not?" Every month we cover a different health topic and record a 30 minute segment. For the month of February we are discussing nutrition and how it's important to eat Go foods, Grow foods, and Glow foods. With the help of local Peer Educators we did a nutrition skit showing how it's bad to have too much of a certain type of food. Their skit was all about food going to a food party and then the Nutrition Police had to come in and break up the party and kick out the "bad" food. It was hilarious!
Chelsea and I made their awesome food costumes, aren't they great?!
The Nutrition Police with the "bad" food
The Cube is crashing the food party
Us with the performers
Monday we'll be recording the educational part of the segment, telling about Go, Grow, and Glow foods and I'll be doing a food demonstration for 3 different types of meals and how to make your food a little healthier.
So we are staying busy and having fun.
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