May 2012
Kyle Dempsey
Position
Overall Rating:
This was the most moving experience of my life. I was involved with hands-on patient care in a hospital that was understaffed and underesourced.
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
The direct patient care I provided during my first trip helped many patients. More importantly, the partnerships I subsequently formed with the Omprakash Foundation and Partners for World Health in Maine has enabled many other volunteers to work at the hospital and has helped to send much-needed basic medical supplies to the hospital.
Organization and communication:
It is always challenging to get in touch with the hospital, because Nicaraguans do not frequently use e-mail. It often would take up to one week to get a response. Ultimately, I found that calling Omprakash's partners in hospital was the fastest and best way to communicate.
Accommodation:
I stayed with a wonderful Nicaraguan family in Leon. I consider the people I stayed with in Leon as part of my extended family, and I go back to Nicaragua yearly.
Safety:
Unlike Managua (and many other Central American cities), Leon is very tranquil. During the 10+ weeks I spent in Leon (and in subsequent trips), I've never felt unsafe. To the contrary, I feel safer in Leon than I do in many large US cities.
For a full description of my experience, please see the partner stories that I've posted.
May 2012
Debra Kitzmiller
Position
Overall Rating:
We had a great time and felt that the work we did was fantastic experience professionally.
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
We had great feedback but know that there are cultural and financial barriers to affecting certain aspects of change.
Organization and communication:
Communiciation was difficult to achieve, but eventually happened. Emails take a long time wait for a response, and it wasn't until I obtained a phone number for one of the physicians and called him that we were able to establish real communication.
Accommodation:
We found a fantastic place to stay a few blocks from where we were working.
Safety:
We did not have any issues with safety.
Our experience was incredible, and I am so grateful for Omprakash connecting us with this hospital. I will write and post more details about our experience, but in short it was fun, felt important, and helped us grow professionally as nurses. I highly recommend volunteering at HEODRA for any spanish speakers that work in medicine or in nursing.
June 2012
Kyle Graham
Position
Overall Rating:
Loved it.
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
We were only there for a few days
Organization and communication:
Best organization and communication I've had via Central America. There were times went we'd receive responses within minutes. Other times we'd wait a week.
Accommodation:
Bigfoot Hostel
Safety:
Felt much much safer than LA. It was relaxing and enjoyable. I actually felt safer there than I do in the US (especially in LA).
The most uncertain part of volunteering in Leon is getting there. I had no idea what to expect stepping off the plane. I guess that is some of the fun in having a place Google Maps hasn't quite yet conquered.
When you get off the plane there is a Best Western across the street from the airport. When I say street I mean highway. You can run across the small 4 lane highway (look both ways) and they can help you out with all kinds of questions. They have a really good lunch there too which is a great way to get acclimated and a place to get everyone you're traveling with on the same page.
From the airport or the Best Western you catch a taxi to a bus stop right next to La UCA. This was the questionable part. We didn't know where La UCA was, how long it would take, if we could trust the taxi driver.
Well La UCA was about 10-15 minute taxi ride. You drive through Managua and you'll probably feel lost. The taxi drivers are legitimate. We asked them how much extra they were charging us because we were foreigners. They explained to us that they were required by law to charge us what they would charge any Nicaraguan. Of course we figured that's what they told everyone but sure enough after we asked some ex-patriates, Nicaraguans, and our hostel owners if we were ripped off they confirmed that we paid the local price. I hate to say it but I can't remember how much we paid which doesn't help anyone planning a trip there. I vaguely remember it being $12 (US). (They use Cordóbas as their monetary unit).
We got to La UCA and it seemed like every microbus driver in Nicaragua was trying to get us to take their bus. The taxi drivers will help you find a bus and you can even request one that will take you in a private group if you have enough people. It's a little overwhelming I won't lie. Hop on the microbus and off to Leon you go. They drive straight there on really nicely paved highways. Much better roads than Los Angeles or Xela, Guatemala if you've ever been to either of those. I felt extremely safe with the driver. He didn't speed and didn't pass people when there was oncoming traffic. He did pass the slow pokes but never on a turn or hill. Oh price of the bus was 40 Cordóbas per person I think. Again they don't try to rip you off or make extra off of you. It seems like prices are pretty standardized.
In Leon they'll drop you off at your hotel if you ask. We tipped the driver pretty well because it was probably the most enjoyable microbus we'd ever taken in Central America. You can tell they appreciate the tips.
If they don't drop you off at your hostel then they'll drop you off at the Leon bus depot. It's a walk to the center of Leon so take a taxi. Again they were legit. Also, the Nicaraguans are so nice that many offered to take us in their pick up truck. So that's what we did on the trip back to Managua.
We got to our hostel called Bigfoot. They greeted us with Mojitos. It was awesome!!! I could write about that place forever but to sum it up they took us volcano boarding, on a mangrove boat trip, and surfing. They even took us from a small town on the coast to Las Peñitas (another small town) via boat travel through a mangrove. It was crazy! I felt like I was JFK on PT-109.
I know I'm forgetting a ton of stuff so ask questions and I'll be sure to check back to answer.
June 2012
Reem Itani
Position
Overall Rating:
This was really eye-opening; we got to see what the medical experience was like in Nicaragua
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
Yes! In fact, one person in our group was ACTIVELY involved in a delivery!
Organization and communication:
Everyone was clear and helpful
Accommodation:
We stayed at a nearby hostel, and everything was in walking distance!
Safety:
I did not feel unsafe and I am a girl.
June 2012
Alexis Stevenson
Position
Overall Rating:
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
Organization and communication:
Accommodation:
Safety:
June 2012
Alexis Stevenson
Position
Overall Rating:
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
Organization and communication:
Accommodation:
Safety:
Although I was only a first year student of medicine, the physicians in the hospital were exquisite teachers who sought to involve me in everything they could. I learned so much!
