Blog of Shoulder to Shoulder

Reflections from a brigade member:

“Back now from Santa Lucia and Concepcion for almost three weeks and still taking cold showers, conserving water, and sitting down at the table to eat my meals (with my family!). The inner peace I brought home with me from Honduras is incredible.

I would like to thank Shoulder to Shoulder for providing me the opportunity to experience healthcare in Honduras and share my nursing skills and knowledge with an incredible population.

Many years ago my family was rescued in the mountains of Mexico by a Hispanic family. They cared for us without question until we were safely back on the road. This led to a life long friendship and my father vowing to help educate their family. He did that and so much more. Through this experience I fell deeply in love of with the Hispanic culture and have continued my father’s work years after his death. It wasn’t until two years ago that I became a nurse and knew then that my mission was to provide medical care for the poor especially in Hispanic countries. I think my father would be proud. You see my father was a physician and I did not go to nursing school until after his death when I was 43 years old.

The staff were amazing and I thank them for keeping us healthy and safe. I followed all the advice I read on the web site and came back healthy and in shape thanks to the endless walking uphill. How was it we never seemed to be walking down hill? Incredible!

Our translators are to be congratulated. Daniel, Foncho, and Josh were courteous, mature, and always available for translation needs. Our prepared health promotion was on women’s contraception and each young man handled themselves professionally. I know they went out of their way to make sure we were safe and comfortable. My thanks to all three of them.

I am still in awe of what I experienced in Honduras. There is nothing greater than giving of yourself to others. I respect the mission of Shoulder to Shoulder and hope to return on another brigade. It would be an honor to find a way I can continue to support Shoulder to Shoulder with my nursing skills.”

Bonus Photo: Here is a view during a sunrise hike overlooking the clinic in Santa Lucia. Although brigade members have to wake up early for the hike to witness this view, this priceless image often justifies any loss of sleep.

Shoulder to shoulder is an incredible adventure. The smiles and the gratitude of the patients we treated was a humbling experience. These people struggle with very few basic human needs met and we come from a country with so much! It was a complete pleasure to provide dentistry to these patients. The participants on on the trip were diverse wonderful people with so many hidden talents, Tango Dancing! Spanish fluency? Every participant had something to contribute and the cooperative skills of all of us created a memorable experience and an impact on the whole community. I would highly reccomend the trip to anyone with a sense of adventure and a willingness to contribute to those who are suffering. Spending three weeks with my daughter was definitely a bonus!!
Kate

To me Should to Shoulder is life altering and faith affirming. Living in the United States and, especially for me, in a city and around suburbs, you think you have an idea of what poor means. Before this trip poor to me included those people living in government provided housing, relying on welfare checks, foodstamps, disability, etc facing difficult decisions on how to afford living. I still consider this a terrible situation in my mind and feel for those in that position, but after traveling to Guachipilincito I have learned the true definition of this word. Poor is having little to no money at all, no transportation, no access to medical care, and no clean water. Poor is not being able to afford to feed your young children more than one meal a day. Poor is walking miles in the heat with no shoes on to solicit much needed medical care. However, in these poor people, I found the richest supply of love and faith and contentment I’ve ever seen. The pure happiness and joy the people of this region exuded for each and every day was incredible. The thankfulness and the countless blessings they bestowed upon myself and the members of the brigade were sincere and intimate. Returning to my life in the states has been a different experience. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t recount how the simple things in life are the most beautiful, and how thankful and full my heart should be for what I’m able to do and what I have. I hope to continue to return the wonderful people in Honduras many times more and who knows what other lessons I could learn….  Maura

Shoulder to Shoulder is pioneering the future of sustainable healthcare delivery to third world countries…   -Alex

Shoulder to Shoulder is more than just a job, it’s an adventure!” Mo Ranz Jennings, Director of Development, STS

To me Shoulder to Shoulder is healthcare, education, hope, fun and full of friends.  It allowed me to practice nursing, practice my Spanish, explore a new area and make new friends.  I saw how hard everyone was working to bring health care and education to Honduras and the endless hours the staff puts in order to reach that goal. I had an amazing time with Shoulder to Shoulder and hope to work with them again soon.” Emily Bodner