Thank you to A Fresh Chapter, Cross Cultural Solutions and Esperantra for making my two weeks in Peru a life changing experience.
During the two weeks we had afternoon sessions to work on reframing our own adversity following cancer diagnosis, included group sessions with the wonderful compassionate tribe of cancer survivors and time for independent reflection and gratitude. So many lessons that I will share with you all in the coming weeks.
My volunteer assignment was coordinated by Esperantra Asociaion at the Edgardo Rebagliati Hospital in Lima. Our group was split between the Oncology and Hematology wards and I spent the majority of the time in Hematology. We provided one-on-one attention to the children, while helping facilitate cognitive interactions through puzzles, games, drawing and other activity. This all sounds like so cut and dried, but it was anything but that! Our volunteer team at the hospital was strong, courageous and compassionate. We really became a team to help each other get through some often difficult days. "Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." --Mattie Stepanek
The first day was a bit scary, I wasn't sure if I could handle the children with IV bags along with their scared parents, and on top of that our language barrier. For the pre-cancer me that absolutely hated hospitals, the sight of blood and needles, I have come a long way. The children are so much more than their illness, they have bright and curious minds and the IV bag/stand following them around like a puppy does not stop them.
Every passing day they became more engaged - waiting for our arrival at 9 a.m. Ready for a morning of fun activities! The children I worked with ranged from three to eight years of age. I totally adored them all. One day we made crowns, you can see from the picture below - we are decorating his blue crown with stickers. My three year old friend wore his crown everyday! We also worked with play-doh one day and my eight year old friend made me a ring - so I think we are engaged! (to respect the children's privacy I cannot share names and pictures.)
As I mentioned in my earlier post, one of the girls was very frail when we arrived, unable to get out of bed with her feeding tube. By the second week she was regaining her strength and danced with us! She is a special girl - her mom showed me pictures of her dance recitals from the past and she just glowed with pride. Yeah, it wasn't our magical powers that created this change in her health, but having that touch, kind word, smile, and ability to, if just for a moment, transport them to a fun and interactive environment sure helps.
It was also an opportunity to provide a break for the parents. Many live far from Lima, so they took turns with their spouse or other family members (if they had them - those without support were with their children 24/7) and slept on the chairs provided in each child's room. No other facilities were made available for these exhausted parents - no shower, and only the dingy public bathrooms on the lower floor for them to utilize.
The last day we gave out cards to the children, and of course I cried. It was hard to say goodbye, knowing that I would be departing Peru the next day. These kids really touched my heart - I hope to stay in touch with a few of them as facebook friends. I had no idea how these children and their families would change me. Their strength, love and friendship in the face of adversity was inspirational. I keep them in my thoughts and prayers, and miss them so much! I am thankful that I have two healthy adult children, and wish only the best to families that endure the hardship of childhood illnesses and cancer.
So yeah, while we had afternoon adventures such as creating our own grafitti art along with a great weekend trip to the Sacred Valley, Pisac, and Machu Picchu, it is the time in Rebagliati Hospital with Esperantra's Dreamers program that was the most life-changing for me. Just like the children in the Hematology and Oncology wards, I am so much more than my cancer diagnosis.
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