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Letters From the Field
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When I was a senior in nursing school I participated in a program, as part of my community health course, which took a group of nine nursing students to small town in rural Peru. For one semester, we prepared materials and information on various health related topics to bring to the community of Chulucanas, Peru. We spent one week as the guests of an American Bishop, who has lived in Chulucanas for many years, and immersed ourselves in the culture of these people. We were on a mission to upgrade the town’s knowledge concerning the very basics of health issues.
We covered diabetic awareness, basic first aid, and women’s health issues. We taught skin care, the Heimlich maneuver, and sometimes we just offered a sympathetic ear. We were able to pool some of our money to buy a woman 3 months worth of Morphine to help her die peacefully after a long battle with colon cancer. She had been laying in the same bed for one year with little to no medicine for relief of excruciating pain. We showed a man with an extremely large infected leg wound how to make saline and how to wash and dress his wound.
What I taught to the people in Chulucanas could not even compare to the wealth of knowledge and understating I obtained from them. They lived in world completely unlike mine and unlike any I have ever seen. They had homes made of sticks, very little to eat, and no resources to cure even the simplest of diseases. However, despite having next to nothing, the people of Chulucanas were the most generous and optimistic people I have ever met. Their hospitality was abundant, even with their meager means. They welcomed us into their homes, their house of worship and held a party to celebrate our time spent with them. At mealtimes, they offered us second helpings before they even served themselves. Despite their seemingly desperate living conditions, many offered a bright and friendly smile.
I realized that the only difference between us was the opportunities that I was afforded as an affluent American citizen. I was born in a country with a stable government. I have been lucky enough to obtain a good education and have led a comfortable life. I was in Peru when I realized that I not only wanted to help others who are less fortunate than I, but I felt it my responsibility to extend myself beyond my means.
Maybe I am young and idealistic, but my enthusiasm is unwavering. I chose nursing as a career in a snap decision that was not well thought out, but I have now realized that there is nothing else I would rather do. I worked on Philips House 20 during the fall of 2001 and provided care for Dr. Durant during the last months of his life. While I came to enjoy him as a patient, I was not fortunate enough to know him when he was well. When I read his obituary and learned of all the places he had been and the relief work he had done, I was struck with admiration. I remember thinking to myself, “that is what I want to do.” Dr. Durant’s willingness to help others and selfless sharing of his knowledge, skills and time inspired me. Needless to say, I would be honored to participate in a fellowship in his name and extend to others what I am so fortunate to have.
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