The Island Adventure

What comes to mind when you think of an island?

I'd imagine most of us think of something exotic... like Hawaii... with tropical plants, lush resorts and luxurious swimming pools...having waiters beckoning at your call.  Am I right?

Well, that's quite a different scene than what we encountered on our third day in Ecuador... traveilng to Isla Puma.  But what a fascinating adventure it was!

Awakening VERY early, we all boarded our van at 5:30 a.m. for a long ride into the big city of Guayaquil.  We were told that others would be joining us -- a video crew, the Vice-Prefectorate of Guayaquil (government official) to observe our work, and security guards.  Due to the larger size of our group, we would need a larger boat to travel to Isla Puma, about an hour from Guayaquil. 

Yes, there was definitely excitment in the air.  The boat was simple, with two long benches facing each other.  We all donned our lifevests, and enjoyed the rocking of the waves, as we headed for our new destination.  I must say -- there is something special about going on a trip where you have no idea what the place looks like or what to expect.  We all get accustomed to certain aspects of a typical day, so going on a healthcare mission allows you to just drop every expectation. 

Since we were now being escorted by government officials, we recognized how special this day would be for everyone.  As we disembarked in the hot sun, a reporter came up to Zully Alvarado, the Founder of Causes for Change, asking questions.  The pier was crowded with lots of people, and just like the waves, we felt we were being pulled along with the swarm of people into their world.  Certainly, it was nothing like the northern suburbs! 

Walking along the slabs of rock, we followed the volunteers carrying our suitcases. A shopkeeper appeared before his doorway, with a dead chicken hanging above him.  Carts of fresh fruit -- mangoes, pineapples, watermelon stood alongside another shop.  Young children scampered along the other native adults, staring curiously at us.  I found out later that the island's first newsletter was just being planned, and our visit would be the headline story!

We reached a main plaza with hundreds of people waiting in plastic seats.  A long table was set up with a few chairs and benches.  Speeches were made by the officials in Spanish, and the message was -- we are here to work for you! Seniors, parents and children clapped and smiled and looked at us in astonishment.  As I later learned, no one had ever come to this island before to volunteer.  We were the first!  And I guess being a volunteer within Ecuador is also an extraodinary idea.  Most people don't do it!

By the time all the speeches had concluded, my stomach was rumbling.  It was about 11:30 a.m., and all of us were VERY hungry.  The officials led us to a nearby restaurant that was clean, and we all wolfed down a lunch of fish, salad and broth.  And then -- we were off! 

Ecuadorian volunteers had set up little coverings (I think they are called palapas), over different areas of this huge plaza to give some of us some shade.  So my husband, Joel and his helpers could have some shade as he pulled teeth; another medical professional, Dr. Mike, was able to do his checkups and massage under a palapa, and Shelly, an energy healer also could work under some shade.  There was another table that was set up to provide free aspirin or vitamins, but for the rest of us -- we worked out under the sun with no shade.  We managed.

Michelle, my California buddy, our translator Vincente and I did our best, to provide singing and games to an ever-widening circle of children -- of ALL ages!  Someone from the island loaned us a guitar, so I could sing some simple songs in Spanish.  With no microphone and this huge space, my voice got hoarse.  I felt like I could barely hear myself.  We did some simple Ella Jenkins songs -- like "Walk & Stop," or "Hokey Pokey" or "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes."  Then we played games like "Duck, Duck, Goose."  The children were SO eager to learn anything.  And so grateful.  But I was sweating like crazy and getting very, very tired.

When we decided to change activities and do drawing with markers and paper, the children mobbed us!  Whew!  It was like we were giving out candy.

One special part of that afternoon was when Michelle spoke to the women of the village...  She told them how special they are in caring for their families... and empowered them with the knowledge that their lives had meaning... and they needed to realize their value in life.  The women were so grateful and hugged her. 

We were told later that in another corner of the plaza, bras were being sold to the women for only $1.00.  The reason that women were being charged anything was that this money was being returned to the island -- for the women to start a women's support group.  The money collected was all being given back!  I forgot how much was raised, but the women were both excited and amazing at this innovative idea.  We had the help of Myrna from Dominican University to coordinate this effort and explain it to the new women's group.  A woman was even chosen to become President of this new organization.

Before we knew it, we had to leave.  The tide was going out or coming in (I forgot which one), but if we left too late, our boat wouldn't be able to make it over the water.  With a rush-rush-rush, supplies were gathered and people hurried back to the pier.  Then -- oh my -- another surprise happened!  The boat captain didn't get a permit to leave the island -- only to enter it! 

So -- we had to wait nervously, hoping he could get this permit fast before the tide left.  Luckily, the permit was procured in time, and we all quickly boarded the boat, managed through the choppy water, took another van ride back to the hotel, and arrived to our rooms before sundown. 

It's hard to sum up the many feelings that churned inside all of us.  But overall, I must say, it was an amazing day.  As we were leaving, people get asking us -- "When are you coming back?"  "When?"  "Will you come back?" 

Although we didn't have the time to treat everyone, we certainly touched many lives and they touched ours.