Student Testimonial: Tamara Kurek

Tamara at a health post with the local doctor and nurse.

Tamara Kurek, a junior Biology at SUNY Geneseo, traveled to El Sauce in June of 2014 to participate in the school's Service Learning class, supported and run by Enlace Project. Here's what she had to say when reflecting on her experience:

I spent a month in El Sauce this past summer completing a Global Service Learning course through SUNY Geneseo. The bulk of my time was spent shadowing doctors and nurses at rural health posts, helping teach English classes at the Enlace Project English School, and traveling around different parts of Nicaragua. I learned about my future profession as a physician, a new culture, and about myself through the wonderful people I met.

Tamara (second on the left) watches the English students perform skits.

 At the health posts, I quickly became friends with the nurse and doctors who rotated through during the week. They were more than willing to teach me about their daily tasks and train me in a few of them so that I could help increase the number of patients they saw in a day. They were equally as open to just chat about their lives and what it was like to work in healthcare in Nicaragua. The tasks that I was assigned to were weighing patients, taking blood pressures, and writing out scripts for medications. These tasks, while simple, were endlessly exciting to me as a Biology major on the Pre-med track. Simply watching the doctors attend patients, too, was a great learning experience. 

Participating in the English classes was one of many activities that contributed to the overall experience of getting to know the people of El Sauce. During those afternoons, I was touched and endlessly impressed by the students’ persistence and positive attitudes in learning the English language. The young adults in Juan’s level one class advanced in skill each week I was there, and they took our criticisms gracefully when we worked with them on their pronunciation. On our weekend trips we got to see cities like León and Granada and learn about the country’s history. While we were in León we went to an art gallery that featured many Nicaraguan artists’ work, and that visit inspired me to choose Nicaraguan art in the 20th century as the focus for an art history paper that I am to write at Geneseo this semester.

Tamara (right) in Granada with the other Service Learning students.

I kept a journal all throughout the month I was in Nicaragua, and the last entry, written on the plane from Managua to Miami, was this:

“I’ll remember the people that I met on this trip forever, even once I forget the details of what I saw and did”. 

I know this is true, and I hope to keep in touch with the people I met there and with Enlace Project for years to come.

Student Testimonials: Colleen Gardner

Colleen Gardner is a Senior Pre-Med and Psycology student from the State University of New York at Geneseo. She spent two months in El Sauce over the summer of 2014 studying Humanities and Service Learning. Her travels taught her a lot, she writes:

Before I traveled to El Sauce, I had no idea what to expect. I’d never spent an extended amount of time abroad, and I’d always traveled with family. From the minute we got off the plane in Managua, I felt welcome and safe. Those feelings only grew as I got settled into life in El Sauce and began to form relationships with my host family, my fellow SUNY Geneseo students, and the people in El Sauce.

My first four weeks in Nicaragua consisted of taking Humanities II, and the last four weeks were devoted to service learning. Both experiences were incredible. During Humanities, I looked at topics such as colonialism and communism from a completely different perspective than I would have been able to do in the US. We also learned so much about Nicaraguan history and culture, through both our experiences and class time. During my service learning, I had the opportunity to shadow a nurse at a rural health post in Sabana Grande. While I speak very limited Spanish and she spoke no English, the nurse was incredibly welcoming to me (a common theme over my time in Nicaragua). I was able to observe both her and the doctor at the health post, and I learned so much about healthcare in a developing nation. The patients were very receptive to me, so I was able to sit in on a variety of appointments and exams. I also had the opportunity to help with the English classes taught by Enlace [Project], and I was consistently amazed at the students’ English skills.

During our last reflection during service learning, which occurred at a breathtaking lookout in Ocotal, we were asked a question. I don’t remember exactly what it was, but it was something that provoked me to reflect on my time in El Sauce, and try to articulate the ways it had impacted me. I couldn’t come up with any words…I just started tearing up. I didn't, and still don’t, have the ability to accurately articulate how much my time in Nicaragua meant to me, and how much I learned. 

The best part about my trip, hands down, was the people. Everywhere I went in Nicaragua I was treated with kindness and received generous hospitality. My host family was unbelievably patient with me when I attempted to speak Spanish, and those who spoke English were always willing to help translate. I took a leap of faith traveling to El Sauce for eight weeks, and it is a decision I would make again in a heartbeat. I never anticipated I would form such strong friendships, or that I would feel homesick for El Sauce after returning to the States. I sincerely hope I have the opportunity to work with Enlace again; it truly is an amazing organization doing amazing things.

Student Testimonials: Adlin Noël

Adlin Noël, a respiratory therapy student at SUNY Upstate Medical University, traveled to El Sauce, Nicaragua in July 2013 to learn about the health care system of the country. Originally from Haiti, Adlin has an interesting perspective in coming to Nicaragua. Based on his experience, he has also written for an AARC (American Association for Respiratory Care) publication. He writes:

Adlin on horseback in Ocotal.

Together with 5 other SUNY Upstate Medical students, I spent two weeks in El Sauce, Nicaragua, helping to medically assist those in need in several rural areas. Reaching out to these less fortunate people through Enlace Project was a satisfying accomplishment. I always had the drive to help those who are constantly struggling around the world either financially or medically. However, having a trustworthy and organized team to effectively facilitate the opportunity is always a challenge. Enlace Project truly met these standards and gave me a better understanding on how to reach out—not only people in Nicaragua but other places in the world as well.

My purpose of going to Nicaragua was to help out while enhancing my skills as a clinician. Hence, these goals have been met. I was lucky to be trained by the Enlace staff. When we arrived in El Sauce, two Nicaraguan doctors affiliated with Enlace Project gave us an intense lecture on their medical system, epidemiology and some of the procedures, such us has pap smears that are frequently done in the areas we were going to work for the two weeks. We had the chance to work with hundreds of people. Health access is a hardship. Every single day we were in a different area where people walked for hours to get our help. We broke up into teams and, lead by Nicaraguan doctors, helped to diagnose, test, and treat patients. 

The complete team at a rural health post in El Sauce.

We were fortunate enough to constantly have a translator side by side with us to break the language barrier so that we could communicate effectively. Through the training and the supervision of the Enlace Project staff, I had the chance to observe a significant amount of pap smears and I performed about seven on my own. While working with the nurses in the community, I was able to assist and give vaccinations. I had the chance to observe several pregnancy examinations. The great thing about this experience was that we were able to reach out to those people in a great variety of ways. We did home visits, worked in the only hospital in El Sauce, and other small clinics in rural areas.

Beside medical related work in these two weeks in Nicaragua, we had the chance to explore many wonderful things around the country, including their history. We visited amazing places including volcanoes, museums, and cathedrals that have a lot of value to the country. In addition, we also had some fun actives including hoarse back riding, zip lining, and volcano boarding which are unforgettable.

This experience in Nicaragua was a blast, and if I had the chance to do it again I would do it in an instant.

Student Testimonials: Jessica Kroenert

Jessica Kroenert, a junior at the State University of New York at Geneseo, is studying International Relations and French. She traveled to El Sauce in the summer of 2013 for two months, during which she participated in both the Humanities II and Service Learning Programs. She is passionate about service and is hoping to make a career in development work, so her experience was especially important to her personal and professional growth. In reflecting on her experience, she writes:

Jessica, Cam, and Enrique preparing to give an interview.

It’s hard to say what first made me apply to study abroad in El Sauce. As an International Relations major, it is a requirement for me to study abroad, and since I’m on the Developing World track within my major, I guess I was drawn to Nicaragua as a “developing country.” I’m interested in working in development as a career, and something about Nicaragua appealed to me, not to mention I definitely needed some experience in the Spanish language. However, the expectations I held for my trip were completely flipped around when I arrived.

Going into a service learning experience, you expect it to be primarily about helping people out, and learning a little along the way; basically, you would be doing the giving and the community the receiving. However, the reality, for me at least, was the opposite. I can say without a doubt that I learned more from the people I worked with than I ever could have imagined, and while I certainly valued my service project, and feel it was worthwhile. The experience and knowledge I received from my experience while working in the Microloan program is beyond anything I could have ever imagined.

Jessica taking a picture of a microloan recipient and her family.

I was very enthusiastic to start working with Enrique, the Microloan Program coordinator, and Cam, another student from Geneseo, on writing biographies and taking photographs of the program’s current participants. I had a strong interest in Microloans and wanted to get a feel for how they work. I was able to learn so much from talking to the program’s participants, not just about Microloans, but about their lives, their culture, their aspirations, and disappointments.

I’ll never forget how, just on our first day interviewing, two of the three people we talked with began to cry when telling their stories. The way the majority of people were so willing to open up to us gringos and share their life’s hardships and victories, was inspirational. There was rarely, if ever, a day where I wasn't touched by someone’s story, and wanted to do everything I could to help that person succeed.

I had an incredible experience working in this program; I hope our project was valuable and that the hours Cam and I spent writing people’s stories and editing their photos eventually circles back and benefits the people we met. But I know for me, this was definitely a Service Learning experience with a tremendous emphasis on the learning aspect. What I took away from our 30+ conversations with Microloan participants far exceeds anything I could hope to give them in return.

Read Jessica and Cam's Microloan biographies here.

Student Testimonials: Richelle Pennington

Richelle Pennington is a Junior Pre-Physicians Assistant, Biology major from the State University of New York at Geneseo. In her free time, she is the volunteer coordinator for Geneso's Outing Club, the Charity Chair of Phi Lambda Chi, the secretary for Biology Club and an EMT for the Geneseo Fire Department. Richelle traveled to El Sauce with the Summer Service Learning program in 2013. Her experience, she explains, is one that will say with her for her entire life:

Richelle Pennington, pictured center right (yellow shirt), at the hospital in El Sauce.

In regards to traveling abroad, I have been fortunate enough to travel a lot in my lifetime. When I was younger I lived in Geneva, Switzerland, which gave me the chance to understand another culture besides my own outside of the United States of America. Since then, most of my trips outside the country have been for leisure, to see new place or visit family and/or friends. I have learned a lot in my travels but in the end I’ve realized nothing compares to being fully immersed in a totally new culture.

When I initially applied to journey to El Sauce, Nicaragua I planned on working at a rural health post so that I could give back to the community since I really enjoy patient care. I know Nicaragua has its issues in the health care world so I saw this opportunity to be right up my alley. I was aware I was going on a “service-learning” trip but I continued to tell myself this was more of a volunteer trip and focus on that. I never thought about the fact that I would be taken on a journey. I met new friends, slid down a volcano, listened to music, traveled to cities and mountains, spent quality time with my host family and learned a new culture as well as a language. I was given the chance to help out, which I did. I was able to assist with vitals, help calm down patients and even preform a few pap smears. I was able to give a little but in reality I ended up learning so much more in the end.

Climbing up Cerro Negro near León.

I now see how to immerse myself in a culture, which is to live how everyone else does. I also see how back at home I take many things for granted such as water, food, transportation and my family. After my experience I now feel much more fortunate for all I have been given and will use this to help me realize what issues are and are not realistically important. I will use the experience and knowledge to tell others how important service is, but in the end an adventure like this will ultimately change your thinking and how you live for the better. I may have stayed only one month in El Sauce, Nicaragua but my involvement there has made a lifetime impact on me. 

Student Testimonials: Jo Speicher

Jo Speicher, from the State University of New York's Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, participated in the university's two-week summer program in El Sauce. Jo, who is studying to be a Nurse Practitioner, had previously traveled to Nicaragua and worked on the Atlantic Coast in the city of Puerto Cabezas. Thus, El Sauce provided an opportunity for her to experience a different aspect of Nicaraguan life working in rural medical posts. She writes:

Jo with her Sauceño host mother.

It was an honor and enjoyable privilege to be a part of a team of six students from SUNY Upstate Medical University this past July to visit the quiet community of El Sauce, Nicaragua. The noble organization, Enlace, coordinated our stay by arranging every detail with meticulous care. The people of El Sauce are warm and welcoming and my host mama has become a dear friend.

We were introduced to the health care system in Nicaragua by actively participating in clinics at health posts in surrounding rural areas. The local doctors who accompanied us challenged us to think critically and discussed symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments as well as allowing us to do hands on assessments of the patients. We performed respiratory assessments, blood pressure checks and did numerous pap smears. Visits to the local hospital and Casa Materna gave us a further look at the MINSA (Ministerio de Salud, or the government’s Department of Health) system in Nicaragua. The frustration but also ingenuity of the doctors was evident when they creatively met the medication needs of their patients.

The trip was not all work with no play. The staff of Enlace Project planned after-hours entertainment as well. We found respite from the heat by swimming in a few local rivers. We had salsa lessons, which we then practiced at a local Karaoke establishment. We waited for the rain to clear and squished under a pavilion to finally watch a horse race. My favorite was participating in the ‘English School’. I enjoyed watching the students who are dedicated to learn English. Their camaraderie and fun was contagious.

The leaders of Enlace have incredible maturity as young leaders within this community. I was extremely impressed with the different levels of local involvement, from tourism promotion to micro-financing. Enlace is to be commended for its mission and goals and has definitely made a difference in the small community of El Sauce and for the visiting groups like ours. Perhaps Enlace could be a model for many other areas of Nicaragua (and the world) that would benefit from having similar programs. I suggest a TED Talk to promote this unique program.

I would love to return with a big chunky grant to further help promote Enlace’s work! Maybe next summer!!

Student Testimonials: Patrick McCormick

• Patrick McCormick, a State University of New York at Geneseo Junior studying Political Science and Pre-Med, traveled to El Sauce in May 2013. During a two month stay, Pat participated in both the Humanities II and Service Learning programs that Geneseo offers. As president of Geneseo's Peace Action club, he looks back on the experience fondly. 

  In reflecting on his experience, Pat came across a journal entry that he had written for the Service Learning class, this one dated June 25, 2013:

  

  Patrick with his host father, Luis.

  My initial game plan of working with the dental health campaign was abruptly altered when the opportunity to work at the clinic with Dra. Sara fell into my lap. I really enjoyed working with her because she took time to explain what problems each patient was having as well as making me write down words I did not know. The four hours I spent there were a great insight into the daily challenges of a general practitioner and she was amazing at keeping me involved despite my limited Spanish. After four hours of continuous patients without any break, I was able to really appreciate the work she does in a community like El Sauce.

  Not to be out done, my afternoon was a totally different sort of adventure. Yesterday Luis, my host father, invited me to accompany him to the small community of Sálales to the northeast of El Sauce. He was there to try and solve a water rights issue and was also accompanied by two police officers and three others. One police officer gave a long speech on how the police would fight drugs in the community and asked the people to help as well.

  Luis has quite a way of commanding the respect of the people. They were far more attentive and responsive to his speech than that of the police officer or other man that spoke. After talking to the community we marched up toward the nearby mountain to take a look at the water dispute first hand. Apparently there is a man claiming his father gifted him the land where the water gathers, a spot that is no more than 20ft by 10ft, and claims to have the rights to the spring of water. The townspeople badly need the water and the discussion held theirs was lengthy, but rather fruitless in the end. Eventually we left thanking the community, and finally hopped back in the police truck that we road up in.

  The resolution of these types of community issues is Luis’s job everyday. He tells me that he must travel to communities in and around El Sauce and try to find solutions to all sorts of problems just like this with the hope of improving the community. I am very impressed with how hard he works and just how much he cares for these communities. He does not get angry or frustrated, yet continues to work everyday at this task. I guess that it is not surprising to me that Silvia loves him dearly and praised him for his enormous heart when he left after dinner; he truly cares about improving the lives of the poor and downtrodden. For my part I gained a whole new perspective on Luis today and much more respect for what he does. Our difficulty communicating has made talking hard at times, but I am honored he invited me to go to Sálales with him. This was an excellent day in El Sauce.

  For more information on Enlace Project's Study Abroad Opportunities, click here.

Student Testimonials: Kevin Àlvarez

State University of New York at Geneseo student Kevin Àlvarez, a Junior Pre-Physical Therapy and Spanish major, traveled to El Sauce, Nicaragua, in June 2013 to participate in the university's Service Learning class. Reflecting on his experience, Kevin wrote the following:

Kevin Àlvarez, center, working on Enlace Project's rural health care campaign.

It's hard to put into words the experience I had in Nicaragua and the amount of knowledge that I obtained within only a month. Nicaragua was life changing, eye-opening, and of course a lot fun. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet so many people and connect with them during my sojourn in this culturally and historically rich land. My experience consisted of staying with a host family and mutually sharing each other's culture. This sharing revolved around the topics of family, religion, politics, music, economy and a myriad of others. Aside from the cultural exchange, I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to get some hands-on experience volunteering in a rural health post and the local hospital with the very little knowledge I had about health care. I observed and shadowed nurses and doctors and was able to see what their responsibilities consisted of on an almost daily basis. Living in this amazing country for one month truly put my life into perspective by allowing me to step out of my bubble and visit what I considered "the unknown". Studying abroad, learning, and meeting new souls is an experience that will stay in your mind and soul for the rest of your life and for me, Nicaragua was that experience.