Day 16:
(6/4/12)
Yesterday I spent the day at a village where doctors were testing people for cataracts. I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting, but it was kind of a let-down and slightly boring. The village was not what I had pictured, more like a town, although still very rural and lacking resources. The doctor was just testing people really quick in an attempt to get through everyone (there were probably close to 100/150 people there), and I found myself just sitting and watching most of the day. Also, it was kind of annoying because all these different rotary members (rotary helps fund both RMH and this rural hospital) kept coming into the room and just wanted to get group pictures with all of us, seeming to care more about the picture and talking with us than the actual clinic being conducted. This town was also three hours away, meaning it was a very early morning and a late night. Still, it was nice to experience something different. Apparently staff from RMH travel to this town once a month to provide care. The people that need cataract surgery and bused back to Bangalore, receive the surgery, are bused back, and then receive a follow-up when staff members return the following month. I know it is appreciated as well because one of the doctors was telling me that they had very few specialists on staff, which was why people from RMH come, but it sounds like it’s making a huge difference!
(6/4/12)
Yesterday I spent the day at a village where doctors were testing people for cataracts. I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting, but it was kind of a let-down and slightly boring. The village was not what I had pictured, more like a town, although still very rural and lacking resources. The doctor was just testing people really quick in an attempt to get through everyone (there were probably close to 100/150 people there), and I found myself just sitting and watching most of the day. Also, it was kind of annoying because all these different rotary members (rotary helps fund both RMH and this rural hospital) kept coming into the room and just wanted to get group pictures with all of us, seeming to care more about the picture and talking with us than the actual clinic being conducted. This town was also three hours away, meaning it was a very early morning and a late night. Still, it was nice to experience something different. Apparently staff from RMH travel to this town once a month to provide care. The people that need cataract surgery and bused back to Bangalore, receive the surgery, are bused back, and then receive a follow-up when staff members return the following month. I know it is appreciated as well because one of the doctors was telling me that they had very few specialists on staff, which was why people from RMH come, but it sounds like it’s making a huge difference!
On a positive note, we did get to see the countryside on our
way to the town and boy is it beautiful! Palm trees, rice and sugar cane
growing, green everywhere, and a clear blue sky to boot! I think it’s the first
time I’ve seen the sky since I arrived in India!
For dinner, a small group of us met Laura (GSE TA) to talk
about how the trip is going so far. We ended up at this American place and I
had pizza, which was a nice break from all the spicy Indian food! We also had a
nice conservation about some of the issues we’ve been dealing with so far. I
think at least for me, even though I’m still having a great experience, the
novelty has started to wear off a little. It’s starting to set in that I really
am living here halfway around the world from Ohio. I’m still unsure about how
to interact with my co-workers based on Indian standards. My workplace is
extremely male-dominated and I wish there were more women around. The pollution
really sucks and public transportation is definitely not that exciting anymore.
It’s frustrating and tiring have to deal with such a big language barrier
everyday all day. I think some of this is to be expected though, and it’s not
like I’m the only one here feeling this way!
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| Town where the clinic took place |
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| Beautiful countryside |
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