Project Nino 2008

Project Niño began after the 1985 earthquake in Central México and continues today in a small town called Santiago de Tlauta. Project Niño serves children who do not have easy access or cannot afford medical assistance. Over the years Project Niño has carved its own unique path as a Rotary project and each year the program grows in depth and breadth surpassing previous years. Three clubs in México and one in California (Fresno Rotary Club) collaborate throughout the year to implement this exceptional service project.

This year 11 doctors, 3 nurses, 2 dentists, 2 pharmacists, 1 health professor, and 1 Ambassadorial Scholar, that would be me ☺, traveled forty-five miles north of Mexico City to Santiago de Tlauta. In addition, several dental students and a group of eye doctors from Mexico City, as well as auxiliary staff, also participated in the project. Over and over again, I found myself overcome with gratitude and infinitely humbled by the opportunity and the amazing experience that this was from start to finish. Every person involved was so filled with love and kindness and an ardent desire to reach out, to help and to make things better for the children. Time and again, as I watched these magnificent professionals work their magic; I could not help thinking about what truly amazing feats could be accomplished in this world if more people were willing to reach out, in whatever capacity they were able to and do for those less fortunate whatever it is that they do best. Continually I thought about the wonderful work being done by Rotary clubs throughout the world and just how proud I was to have been invited to participate and be a part of this inspirational project (especially since it is a project from our district!).

On the day of our arrival, after a really, really long trip, traveling through the night from Fresno, California and Guanajuato, México, we all arrived tired, but nonetheless, with enough energy left to eat lunch, recoup and then head off to the elementary school to begin work. To my delight and surprise, some eight hours later we had successfully converted the school into a superb health clinic! On the following day, despite very little sleep and lots of hard work; we were elated to accept the kind invitation of our Mexican hosts and Project Niño directors, Sr. and Snra. Zapata. They took us to Teotihuacán where we were astonished and absolutely thrilled at by the sight of los pirámides del sol y luna – they were breathtaking and along with everyone else, we could not stop taking pictures and marveling at the amazing structures before us.

Early Monday morning patients began gathering at the clinic in order to secure their appointments for the day. Project Niño is in its twenty-third year and as you can imagine, the arrival of the doctors and the accompanying crews is one of the highlights of their year and the event is eagerly anticipated and attended. Hundreds of families traveled by bus for incredibly long distances from the surrounding pueblos; all with just one thing on their minds, to get to the clinic by 5:00 AM in order to get their ficha (number) in line and then wait for their assigned doctor to arrive at 8:00 AM.

As we entered the clinic, I was moved to tears as we were greeted by hundreds of people clapping their hands enthusiastically and with huge smiles. Instantaneously, I felt like such an imposter and so very unworthy of their admiration and appreciation, sadly, I was not a doctor or a nurse or anyone who could really make it all better. But, at the same time, I was suddenly overcome with a feeling of such determination to be the best whatever it was I was going to be, the best hand holder, the best giver of hugs, the best assistant! I am delighted to mention (with enormous pride and satisfaction) that gradually I found my niche and I flourished, as did the need for my interpretation skills. My multifaceted service work at Project Niño was so much fun, so wonderful, so gratifying, so awe inspiring.

Throughout the week it was incredibly touching and truly humbling to see so many families arriving daily at the clinic, bearing, in spite of their very limited resources, a variety of baked goods, flowers, and fruit for the members of the medical teams, as much appreciated tokens of their gratitude and esteem. Little did they realize just what a gift this opportunity to serve them was for each one of us. Nothing can ever compare with the privilege, the honor, the satisfaction that comes from being able to reach out to someone and provide something, no matter how small, to improve their situation, to let them know in a very tangible way, that someone truly cares.

When setting up the clinic I specifically remember expressing that my only concern was blood; I really didn’t care to experience that aspect of medical service work. The unanimous response I received was “Stay away from the dentist office.” Somehow the eye doctors from Mexico City did not need my assistance; therefore, before I knew it, I found myself holding a light above a young child screaming in the dentist office, as I watched Verónica reach in with silver pliers (or something of the sort) to extract three teeth! ¡Bienvenidos a la oficina de los dentistas!

I admit that at first I panicked with the crying, slobbering, and blood drooling child. Dentist Emilio Garcia turned to me and said, “We need you in here, but if you cannot handle it then we can reassign you.” At this moment everything became clear and I found my place at Project Niño. Proudly, I can say that I rose to the occasion and during this week I realized that we cannot have preconceived notions of what constitutes service and in what capacity we should serve (if we do not have specific qualifications to fit the situation). I learned very quickly that to truly serve, to serve unselfishly in a situation such as this, there is no picking and choosing, the question should be, where am I needed and the answer should always be, I’ll be right there!

In the proceeding days I befriended and assisted dentist Verónica Alcántara from Mexico City. I learned about everything I could possibly want to know about teeth, caring for our teeth, specialized Spanish vocabulary regarding our work, and El Ratón (a little mouse that is our equivalent to the tooth fairy). Last but not least, I managed to fall in love with her three year old son, who refused to dance with me at our fiesta, because I was the one who pulled out all the children’s teeth! Of course, that was far from the truth, but I loved his simplicity and in the eyes of a little boy the dental assistant is no different than the dentist.

A more personal highlight during my week at Project Niño was comfort food. Don’t get me wrong, I love tacos, tostadas, and tamales. But, deep down I realized this week that I am a true red, white, and blue American girl and there is nothing better than a good meat, cheese, and mustard sandwich every now and then.  Trough a very crafty trade agreement a Rotarian couple from Fresno brought me a fresh sandwich daily in exchange for some Mexican chocolate bars. Each day I ate my sandwich with pride, as all the other staff members savored the taste of spicy chili and corn tortillas.

The local Mexicans’ entrepreneur skills always impress me and the week at Project Niño in Santiago de Tlauta was no exception. Project Niño has grown into something more than just an annual visit to a rural Mexican community by medical experts. Project Niño involves the community and there are no limitations on service. In my first few hours at the clinic I noticed that everywhere I looked everyone seemed to be eating something at all times. Finally, I discovered a gigantic food stand on the playground that sold every Mexican delicacy you could imagine to the waiting patients and there was always a line.

By the end of the week Project Niño 2008 served a combined total of over 5,000 patients and I earned the right to wear scrubs (no more wannabe Grey’s Anatomy fan!). The enthusiasm, poise, commitment, and grace of the health professionals were remarkable and inspirational.

I would like to specially thank Dr. Bill Jones for the invitation to participate in an extraordinary service project that will forever hold a special place in my heart. Secondly, I would like to commend Dr. David Hodge (Fresno Rotarian) for selecting such an impressive medical team and being a diligent leader during an intense service week in another country. Thirdly, Mr. and Mrs. Zapada made a lasting impression as Mexicans and Rotarians. Their commitment to the people of Santiago de Tlauta, their dedication to Project Niño, and their generosity as ambassadors of their country is inspiring. Finally, seeing Mexicans and Americans plan and implement a service project to make a difference in a local rural
community was reassuring and encouraging, as I pursue a career in educational development.

For more information on Project Niño and/or volunteer opportunities please check out their web site: http://www.fresnorotary.org/view_page.asp?nodeid=31&parentid=0&moduleid=1
or contact Fresno Rotary Club at:

Rotary Club of Fresno
Club No. 622, District 5230

2307 N. Fine Ave
Fresno, CA 93727
Phone: (559) 453-2404
Fax: (559) 453-3276

“We may make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill