PeaceHealth had made a commitment to be in mission to the people of El Salvador long before the devastation occurred. The earthquakes simply hastened the effort. I had the privilege of being one of the first PeaceHealth employees to volunteer for the mission effort. Another nurse, Angelee Allen from Ketchikan, Alaska had also volunteered. One of the main reasons we were selected at this time is that we both speak Spanish fluently. We arrived on February 23.
The daily work with the Commandos de Salvamento brought us to many remote and beautiful villages nestled among the volcanoes and lakes of El Salvador. It was a joy to see the bravery, strength and the amazing resilience of these people in the face of the tremendous losses they have suffered due to the recent earthquakes. I think the sense of community and family, and the determination to work together to create a better opportunity for the entire community, is so much stronger there. There are many important lessons I have brought home with me. In my daily work in the ER at St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham I feel such satisfaction, knowing I have the resources and skills to really reach out and help someone. The value of a warm blanket, a kind word or gentle touch are so appreciated.
I wanted to write and thank the Sisters and PeaceHealth for providing this opportunity and to express my personal gratitude for the chance to view the world from a different perspective, something we should all take the time out of our busy schedules to do. This experience has helped me to appreciate the small things we often take for granted: a warm bed, protection from the rain, food and clean water, the chance for education, and choices and opportunities which are beyond imagination to many men, women and children living in central America.
The following is an excerpt from my journal describing our first visit to the beach in El Salvador and the Bolas del Fuego, a holiday celebration commemorating the eruption of the volcano in the village of Nijapa where many of the Commandos de Solvamento medical clinics are held.
Thunder and lightening with torrential rain here tonight. It comes almost every night like clockwork. We started out for the beach today and when we arrived at the costa del sol, the little beach resort had a huge pet monkey tied to a long leash in a tree. I took his picture and he grabbed my bathing suit out of my hands.
The man who was the caretaker of the place came out and held him in his arms and I took more pictures. Then sister Eleanor walked up to us and the monkey leapt down from the man's arms and attacked her ankles, viciously biting her legs. She has two horrible wounds, one of which could use stitches but I think it would be too risky to sew it up because of the little beastie's germs. Thank goodness I brought all my first aid supplies and was able to irrigate and disinfect the bites. I hope she heals well. At any rate we never got to the beach but turned around and headed for home again to get antibiotics. The waves were beautiful though and there were many surfers.
Last night was the celebration of La Bolas de Fuego, or balls of fire, commemorating the explosion of the volcano and San Geronimo, the patron saint of Nijapa. It is the most amazing insane fire party you have ever seen!
Young men and boys paint their faces with war paint like Indians, and wearing nothing to protect themselves but heavy work gloves, they throw flaming balls of tightly wound cloth soaked for a week in diesel fuel. They toss the balls of fire like comets, roaring down the street and then start throwing them into the air and into the crowds of onlookers on the sides of the street and balconies above.
My hair was singed. Seven people had minor burns. The police tried to calm things down, which resulted in a minor riot. The Commandos (our medical team of first responders at the event) and I ran back to headquarters to treat the injured. Amazingly, all went well in the end. They were very grateful for my silver sulfandine cream and xerorform which were put to good use.
There were also two men with paper-mache bulls over their heads like a mask. Inside, the bulls were stuffed with rockets, fireworks and spiraling-whistling-flaming-smoking spark throwers. The bulls would charge up and down the crowded streets shooting off rockets while people would taunt them and try to pull their horns. A mad chase would ensue through the streets and alley-ways as the bulls attempted to run them down while the crowd chanted FUEGO!
FUEGO! FUEGO! I can't believe we survived!
© El Salvador Health Mission
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