from Lori

August 1, 2011
Project Hope 2011: El Salvador
Hello everyone!
We landed in San Salvador on July 14 and were met at the airport by Earl Peterson, a soft spoken southern gentleman, and experienced Project Hope volunteer who greeted us with open arms and escorted us to the Hilton for our overnight stay and boarding of the ship the following day. Not knowing what to expect and knowing nothing regarding military life - I followed the lead of those who had committed to previous missions. I could not have completed the first week without the direction of Randy and Faye to show us the way.
A typical day starts with getting up at 5A, having meals with the enlisted personnel, muster (roll call), going out on MEDCAPS (giving care at the sites), and with our off days consisting of laundry, working out, reading, and catching up on sleep. Over 900 patients are seen daily from general and family medicine, ophthalmology, ENT, women’s health, accompanied with pharmacy, physical therapy services. Sites close down after all the patients are seen and we come back to the ship around 16:30 -17:00. Dinner is served between 17:30-19:00, and an overview of the day’s activities by the various commanding officers at 19:30. Afterwards you’re exhausted, shower, and retire to your berthing quarters to get a few hours of sleep and do it all over again.
The days are long, hot and exhausting at times but rewarding; it’s when you get that firm hand shake, smile or hug from that individual who walked and stood in line for several hours to get to the site to be seen by a health care provider. For many patients, this is the only healthcare they have had in several years, prescriptions are unable to be refilled due to the financial expense and this may be the only care they receive until the mission returns to this area.
The unexpected kindness and respect from all aboard is truly refreshing. I had forgotten what it felt like to say hello to everyone you meet, strike up a conversation or sit and enjoy a meal with someone you don’t know but feel like you have known them all your life. People aboard the ship go out of their way to help you. Not just tell you how to get there but actually take you there. This has been particularly helpful, since I have been lost on every part of the ship for the past week. The military personnel know that look ……….????????. No one gets irritated, brushes you off, raises their voice or lets you struggle. I am surprised no one has thrown me overboard from all the questions: where is……..? It’s taken a week but I think I am figuring it out. When I have found the red floor I know I am going in the right direction.
The Comfort is just as the website portrays it – a white navy vessel with red crosses on it. But what it doesn’t demonstrate are all the combined efforts of the different branches of the military – US navy, army, and air force working with nations from Canada, Columbia, and the Netherlands to join in the efforts in providing humanitarian care and working as one. But what surprises me the most is all the NGO’s, the non-governmental organizations- doctors, dentists, nurses, and other health care providers worldwide who have volunteered their time to this mission. Without all the sum of these parts this mission could not function as a whole.
Got to Costa Rica and had liberty at Punta Leona for four days before starting on the second half of the mission. Lots of sun, walks along the beach, and zip lining and touring Jaco Beach. We are about to check out after lunch to return to the ship. MEDCAP starts tomorrow. Lori