I saw many patients in 10 days. Many children too, and many of them without shoes, who are malnourished, and abandoned to all sorts of trades. In Antigua for example, there are many children called "los basureros" (garbage collectors) living from the food they find in rubbish. Kids fight for a piece of candy.
Close to the border between El Salvador and Guatemala, you can see hundreds (if not thousands) of houses made of plastic. The luckiest owners have a metal sheet to protect their belongings when the weather is windy. I have no idea how these people make a living.
While examining patients I saw many of them with frail bodies, distorted with pain. People look so much older than their actual age. Many patients have conditions such as "las manchas" (skin infections), "la gastritis" (from the frijoles / beans-only diet and the unsafe drinking water they use) etc.
I went to an "aldea" (community) where hundreds of people live without "banos" (restrooms) - the restroom is just behind a wall. Once in a while someone burns the excrements with "la gasolina" when the smell is just too much.
UTIs and STIs are a huge concern, as most people do not use any form of contraception. When talking to patients, many of them do not even understand the word "contraception". Many patients cannot read or write. Many girls get pregnant from 12 years of age, and I am sorry to say that it is sometimes from a relative. Many women are abused, sexually and emotionally. I had to call social services every time I was made aware of such incidents. Who knows how these social services will follow up. I cannot write any more details on this topic out of decency.
Words fail me, I am sorry. Just thinking about all this brings tears in my eyes. You cannot cry in front of patients - sometimes it just hits you afterwards. Now I need time to reflect, but I just cannot wait to go back and bring more vitamins, shoes, and clothes with me - especially for the children.
I am also aware that I am writing these lines on an "early retirement" board, and most people on this board may have different priorities in life. I wish I could take some of you one day with me on one of these missions. It puts all our problems in perspective - we have so much here. We are so privileged.
Take care everyone.
I also would very much like to hear of your Guatemalan adventures.