Photo gallery for the convenience of ALD/PES
On Saturday, el cinco de mayo, we headed out from Ackerman Turnaround before 6 am. There were 16 of us this time, a full 3 cars. Steph was our wonderful trip leader. We were all very excited, especially the two people who were going on their first trip. However, many of us did not get anywhere near the 8 hours of sleep that we should have and were thus feeling sleepy. (Personally, I blame Spring Sing!) We made our stop at McDonald’s, went over which station each person would start out at, and discussed any questions people had. Our car had arrived at McDonald’s first so we had a good amount of time there to eat a snack or breakfast before getting back in the car for the border crossing. Soon we crossed into Mexico and headed for Maclovio Rojas. We had no trouble finding the marketplace where we always set up our clinic. We parked by the schoolroom and started grabbing the clinic bins, chairs, tables, tent, and paperwork. We set up in the middle of the marketplace and though we had a relatively small amount of space, we made do and were able to fit practically the entire clinic under the tent. We were nicely shaded on the hot, sunny day. Once we began the clinic, each FISH member was working continuously. There was no time to be tired. It was absolutely wonderful! Everyone wanted to be involved and was always ready to assist another FISHy. The entire trip we were constantly helping people who need it, practicing taking blood glucose and blood pressure (and becoming pros!), taking height and weight, and improving our Spanish. I joked with some of the locals about how I needed to practice my Spanish and they laughed and said they needed to practice their English too and that it was a difficult language. Many members mentioned that they had seen several patients there a few weeks before and some said that a patient had been there 7 times. As I checked people in, a few people had their papers from previous clinics with them. Danica mentioned that she had met some of the patients previously and that they had remembered her from before. Several other members mentioned the same thing. After the clinic, we drove over to Tacos las Especias together and feasted! I don’t think kings could have been served better than we were. We had sweet Horchata, a milky cinnamon drink (which tastes like drinking a churro), Coke light, or strawberry water. Before bringing out our tacos, quesadillas, or tortas, they laid out several plates of appetizers and toppings. There were cassava roots, radishes, and limes on one plate, another with tomatoes and green peppers (I think), a third with chopped onions and cilantro, and the last with big orange and green peppers and long onions. Plus, when they brought our food out, they also added a plate full of guacamole! Who could ask for more? Needless to say our tongues and bellies could not have been more content by the end. When everyone was ready to go, we went back to our respective cars. Before crossing the border, we bought our regular churros (delicious) and I bought some mangos and pineapple for the car. During the rest of the ride back, we napped a bit and listened to music together. As with every FISH trip, I got to know the members on my trip much better. We had a great time! Each trip truly makes being a FISH mean more and more to me.             Week 3’s La Clinica trip was overall a great success! Despite the fact that two cars – Walle’s and Bryant’s – had technical difficulties, all 30+ FISH members persevered and all managed to make it to the clinic in fair time. After setting up in the morning, we were ready to go! Our services this time included the usual screenings, but we also implemented a new physical training plan in which we suggested the patient how to better exercise. Each week, the amount of daily suggested exercise would increase a little so that the patient’s endurance would steadily build. We also incorporated a new six-step program, the purpose of which is to develop a research database and record how our services help the citizens of Mexico. We encourage them to keep up with our recommendations and then see if it actually benefits their health! I was glad to see that some citizens actually brought back with them their old FISH sheets from previous weeks; it really goes to show how much impact we make on their lives and how much they rely on our free services. At La Clinica, lots of vitamins, fish oils, and free toothbrushes were handed out in order to provide people with what they may lack. Also, a nutrition table for children was set up, where they could let their artistic side be expressed while learning about healthy eating and where they could release their energy healthily by jump-roping. One boy showed us his cup-stacking skills and let some FISH members have a try. Another boy showed us his prized chicken (and future dinner?), still alive, in a bag! A big thanks to Dr. Brinkley who came out with us and provided professional medical advice. The line for the doctor was long, and undoubtedly she was of great help in assisting the citizens with any problems they might have. Also, thanks to the four USC students that joined us in this La Clinica trip! It was great seeing students outside of UCLA being able to come together for one common cause. After an afternoon of volunteering, we packed up and took over the local taco shop, flooding it with our bright blue shirts. The food was delicious and authentic as always, and with full stomachs we travelled back to ourhomes in California! Definitely a successful La Clinica trip! It was also my first La Clinica ever, and I really enjoyed the experience. -Lisa Shue Marketing member                
When we finally arrived in Maclovio Rojas, we promptly set up each station and split up into groups in charge of the usual stations: check in, pulse, blood pressure, height/weight, glucose, and consultation. And despite the sweltering heat of the morning, the clinic was up and running and long lines were forming before we knew it. Around noon, the remaining FISHies arrived in Walle’s car with a new set of tires and an excited attitude. Everyone at clinic was gracious and welcoming, but the most heart-warming memory of the day occurred towards the end of the day when an older lady, long experienced in the trials and beauty of the world, continuously exclaimed “¡qué bonito!” along with the widest of smiles, to every member of the team. A soft, relaxing breeze picked up as clinic closed and everything was packed up for the day. We debriefed over mouth-watering authentic Mexican food with our choice of carne asada, cheese, or chicken tacos, tortas, and quesadillas, all washed down with deliciously refreshing horchata. Thank you to all the FISHies from both UCLA and USC for overcoming all obstacles in our path and making such a phenomenal trip and experience a reality.          “I want to move from providing hypertension measurements to building the community’s capacity for a permanent health clinic. After all, shouldn’t we work for the end of [non-profit] service organizations?” What a great question! My response is conditionally yes. Non-profit service organizations (NSO) should work to engage the community and build its capacity at the same time that it provides services. Eventually, the community will be responsible for the sustainability of the services if act as catalysts of change from which the community benefits. But, does this necessarily mean the NSO should work to put itself to an end? Not quite. If FISH, for example, helps Maclovio Rojas bring in sweeping legislation that gives every individual in health care and better access to healthful foods and exercise facilities the organization still has reason to continue. Its mission would, however, alter. In case you were wondering, the author of the sentiment is a UCLA student. What do FISHies do when they aren't helping the world? They definitely don't just sit around! Over the last few weeks, FISH members got together to participate in our first annual FISH olympics at Westwood Park and a little bit of night time chaos with some flashlight tag all around campus. Check out our awesome photos :) Only FISHies would look THAT cool wearing party hats and crowns in public        La Clínica Week 3 This was my first La Clínica trip but it certainly won’t be my last. We were able to bring 6 cars down to Maclovio Rojas, Mexico filled with FISH members, an RN and a doctor. We made excellent time driving into Mexico (thanks to Bryant’s superb leading skills) and exhibited some professional grade caravanning maneuvers. It was a slow day in the market place but we were able to see around 150 people despite the gusts of wind threatening to blow us all the way back to UCLA. We had the usual stations set up with the addition of a physician consultation, fitness test and kids’ station. I was surprised to see that people kept their slips from previous FISH clinics so that they could compare their results. There was even one lady who fasted the entire morning so that she could have an accurate resting glucose reading. It really proved to me that we are actually making a difference and providing people with the means to improve upon their physical well-being. To know that people depend on our services to monitor their blood pressure and glucose levels makes the 4:30am wake up call a little more meaningful. I spent a majority of the day at the kids’ station drawing nutritional meals as examples for healthy eating. I loved interacting with the kids because there didn’t seem to be as much of a language barrier. Hand a kid a jump rope and ask “¿quieres jugar conmigo?” and you have an instant friend. Even though I found it easier to communicate with the children there was one particular instance in which my misinterpretation of a hula-hooping girl came from different perspectives of the world versus speaking two different languages. She asked me “¿es del otro lado?” Not understanding what she meant, I turned to Caitlin and asked her, “the other side of what?” That’s when the girl’s mother chimed in and explained that the other side is the United States. For some reason this really shook me from my present state and made me think of how different our worlds were and yet we were just on the other side of the border. One of my favorite moments of the day was when a man handed his toddler over to Mary so that he could be weighed. Even though the little girl was none too pleased to be leaving the safe embrace of Daddy’s arms, her father knew that she was in good hands. He was completely trusting in Mary with his daughter; just like every patient we see is completely trusting in us and our knowledge and abilities. After we cleaned up the site we had lunch and debriefed at Tacos las Especias where we ordered as efficiently as any True Bruin would. To bring our time in Mexico to completion, we had an impromptu Karaoke sing-off battle between cars over the walkie-talkies while waiting in line at the border, making this, officially, the best La Clínica trip I have ever been on. DRT                  It is January 14, 2012 and 15 FISHies embarked on the first trip of the new year! New year calls for new projects and goals. For some it was their first FISH trip of the school year. As we traveled to Maclovio, we packed baggies full of vitamins to hand out to our patients. So much for a little bit of shut-eye for the car dosers. When we got to the clinic, stations ran smoothly and every member enjoyed the presence of patients under the warm Mexican sun. We even launched our 6 steps to health Nutrition program, which turned out to be FANTASTIC. Thank to all the enthusiastic participants and our wonderful translators, we were one step closer to providing a more sufficient health program for the people of Maclovio. After a fun time in clinic and our nutrition program launch, what better way to celebrate than to eat authentic Mexican food! Tacos, tortas, quesadillas, horchatas oh my! The new lunch place, closer to the border, was AHMAAAZZING. It could not have gotten any better than this. Guacamole overdose! Everyone got their food coma fix for the day and it was back to the border where we passed the time stuck in traffic with those delicious churros. This has got to be the good life.          At the break of dawn we all headed out, one car after another. After a quick stop for some breakfast burritos and a pit stop, we crossed the border and made our way to Maclovio Rojas, Mexico. After overcoming some difficulty in transportation, all FISHies finally arrived to our destination and began setting up the clinic. Anxious and curious locals began to gather around and every FISHie was put to work. The clinic ran vey smoothly and we were able to assist many people. USC students shadowed us in hopes of gathering ideas to start up their FISH chapter as well and we had the privilege of having doctor, named Jorge who has worked in a Mexican clinic and his wife, Margaret, who was an MPH, who joined us on the trip as well! As my first trip, I honestly did enjoy this adventure a lot! It was exciting and definitely a new experience all around! I am anxious to continue going on the trips and making a difference in these peoples lives in Maclovio Rojas. What was most memorable for me was getting a sincere "Gracias" from an elder lady who had just finished going through the clinic. You could see the gratitude in her eyes. One thing I definitely learned from this trip, is to be humble and think on your feet in any given situation! Attached are all the photos taken of the Week 8 trip! :) -Dianna Padilla             Today I woke up at 5 a.m., slightly disoriented and a bit sleepy. This was soon overrun by excitement however. After all, today I was going to Mexico on my first FISH trip! I had made sure my passport, a snack, and other necessary items for the trip were all set the night before. Soon I was ready to head to Ackerman turnaround and meet the others. We grabbed water and a granola bar from the FISH supplies and split up into our two cars. I was in Juliette’s car with Stephanie, Valeria, and Nupur while Andy, Danica, and Eric rode in Wendy’s. Even though it was my first trip, I already knew several people in the group from previous FISH meetings and social events so I felt really comfortable and was full of anticipation for the events of the day. All of us except the driver of course fell asleep at some point, but we had a good time talking, laughing, and getting to know each other when we were awake. We also saw what a sunrise looked like from the Los Angeles freeways. The four hours flew by and soon we were at the border. Both cars met up at McDonald’s before crossing to grab something to eat or something warm to drink. Then we were ready to cross! The only time I had been to Mexico was way back in second grade, so I had no idea what to expect. I was nervous and excited. Nervous about my first time taking blood pressure and glucose at the clinic and excited about my first time doing clinic work and about seeing what Mexico looked like. We crossed into Mexico and were on our way to the clinic in Maclovio Rojas. We got a bit confused on the way there but returning FISH members and our driver did a great job figuring out the directions. We arrived at the market around 10 a.m. and went over to the school where the supplies are kept. FISH members took out the supplies to prepare for the day and also bagged vitamins for the patients who would stop by. We then carried the supplies a few blocks away from the school to a side road near the busiest market street. It was a perfect day as far as weather was concerned. The sun was shining brightly and it was pretty hot, but with our tent, the temperature was wonderful. We set up the table and chairs and put the tent over it, got out supplies for check-in, height and weight, blood pressure, blood glucose, and consultation and were ready to go! Stephanie, our amazing trip leader, had as many new FISHies as she could start out on blood pressure and glucose. We quickly realized we had nothing to worry about. I enjoyed my time so much at both stations! The people we helped were very kind. When I wanted to check the blood pressure reading just to be sure for a couple of patients, they did not mind switching arms. My first glucose patient actually knew what step I needed to take before I did and squeezed his own finger a bit for me after I had pricked it to get a bit more blood out for the reading. In addition, I got to practice my Spanish with every patient at least a little. We had a couple of especially funny moments including a little boy running in front of where we had set up, holding his bottom and yelling “Quemando! Quemando!” It was interesting that he was smiling as he was yelling “Burning! Burning!” It turns out he had sat on something hot and maybe was running to cool himself off. We also had three very interested sons watch their father get his blood glucose done. They asked their father if it hurt “Te duele?” and asked Danica many questions about what she was doing though she could not answer all of them, partially because it can be hard to come up with medical words in Spanish to explain to young children. However, she did a pretty good job and it was fun to watch their inquisitive faces. As the clinic started to die down, I felt a sense of accomplishment as I am sure the other members of our group did as well. Everybody always had a job to do and thus felt needed throughout our time there. The people were friendly and truly interested about their health, asking if their numbers were reasonable or too high. Around 1 p.m., we packed up and headed back to the school to talk about how we did and debrief. Overall, the trip was great and everyone felt like they had achieved their goals for the day. Next, we set out to accomplish our final goal: eating delicious tacos de asada o pescado! They were so yummy! – not to mention our awesome coca-colas or diet cokes in glass bottles, always better than a can in my opinion, possibly because they are extra bubbly. Everyone was quite satisfied after and ready for the trip back to Los Angeles. Annabelle Soares Logistics Team           | AuthorVarious FISH members will contribute to this blog, keeping you updated on FISH trips and events. ArchivesMay 2012 Categories |
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