#42: Live in another country

Last summer I decided to write myself a bucket list of different things I would like to do and different places I would like to see. It’s not a list that truly dictates much in my decision-making, but rather I just found it helpful to make my goals a little more tangible by writing them down. It includes things like visiting the Great Pyramid of Giza, taking piano lessons, learning to drive a manual transmission, and building my dream home. In fact, #82 was “Start a Blog,” so I’ve been able to check off another :)

Yesterday I arrived in Antigua, Guatemala which will be my home for the next month and a half. I’m not entirely certain what constitutes “living” in another country, but as far as my bucket list goes, this may be as far as I come to meeting #42. I am so excited for this incredible journey which lies ahead of me! As part of my last semester in school we are to create a professional rotation for which Creighton gives us full autonomy. For my rotation I will be completing 6 weeks at Los Gozosos, an orphanage for children with disabilities in Chimaltenango, Guatemala. I am living in Antigua and will be taking the “chicken bus” to work each morning. I am so looking forward to how this opportunity will allow me to grow in my cultural competency and allow me to better understand what having a disability means in other (specifically 3^rd world) countries. I have spent the last 3 years studying occupational therapy which is a profession centered around problem-solving, habilitation and rehabilitation, allowing persons to function successfully in their environments by arming them with various tools and techniques. It is important that these tools and techniques be culturally-appropriate and feasible to integrate, both monetarily and temporally. I am so looking forward to the challenge of helping to create an OT program for the orphanage which meets all of these criteria. Many times in third world countries, such as Guatemala, children with disabilities are secluded to the home or are given up to an orphanage. Choosing to give the child to an orphanage is sometimes a difficult but necessary decision because the cost of raising a child with disabilities is exponentially more than raising a typically-developing child… especially in a country without laws protecting and providing for them. The caregivers at these orphanages are truly angels, as they sacrifice and work hard to care for these children on a daily basis. I’m hoping to understand the ins and outs of this relationship and discover if there are ways for me to integrate techniques I’ve learned into what they’re currently doing to make their job more effective and efficient. It is obvious that they care for and love these children deeply, and I cannot wait to be a part of this small community of giving!

I had the weekend off to explore some of the city and get comfortable with my surroundings before jumping right into my placement. I am having a quick orientation tomorrow and will then head the 45 minute ride to Chimaltenango. When I arrived yesterday there was no one at my house, so I set out to explore the city on my own; however, I met some girls from Canada last night and we did a little more exploring together today. They are so incredibly sweet and all of the people that I have met have been nothing but wonderful. I’m getting pushed to practice my Spanish which is great for me. I’m considering taking some native speaking courses while I’m here (check another thing off the bucket list! Haha) but haven’t fully decided. Just sharing some pictures with you that I took today from around town. It is historic and beautiful, as are the people. May I quickly become like a local! Thank you all for your  continued support and prayers. I know my mother is already irritated because I didn’t check my global phone service before leaving, assuming it would automatically work… and it doesn’t. Oh well! Another disconnect from the U.S. can’t be all bad :) Sorry, Mom!

View from the 2nd story of the house.

Listening to some incredible music

Beautiful architecture

I want to keep all the babies!!

Main street of my new home

I took a hike overlooking the city: Cerro de la Cruz (Hill of the Cross)