Monday, February 18, 2013

Gratitude is building

Sometimes I wonder if I am actually expressing the experience well enough for others to appreciate, and then when I get that little bit of support, I realize that I must have said or done something right. My uncle, my dad and my younger sis have all posted links to this little blog. I've had some very enthusiastic assistance because of that. It does amaze me. I think that I am off in my own poor little head... but really I am actually able to share this wild ride I am on, and even use the english language and yes... my amateur photography to pass along the excitement. So I guess what I am saying is - Thanks so very much for the support. It's getting up there. I would like to say I got all $1500, but I'm getting slowly closer to making the target. The official total thus far: 470.00. Sweet! I can accept donations from email money transfers or the post I wrote just prior to this one has a little "DONATE" button on there that links right up to Paypal. And for a nominal fee it seems to work well for people. But email money transfers are just as good to me. Thank you again. And as a little inspiration, a favourite pic of my favourite God Uncle ever...

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Gracias amigos!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Progress in Paramedicine... 2013

So now the challenge once again is to raise the funds, so we can get there, and get all 60 participants there and ready to learn and review.  This is admittedly not my favourite process in the adventure, but a necessary evil.  I did so well last year raising about $1000 from my family and friends which went directly to funding the mission and also supporting the year round efforts of Skylark.

As a group, those who are participating this year from Ottawa Paramedics, we're bugging our colleagues as much as we can, but don't want to wear out our welcome.  So I am hoping that as the next couple months pass that I will be able to ask again for my family and friends to help support me again.

This year adds the challenge of the continuing training, we have a group returning after having a year to work, practice and hopefully come up with more challenges, solutions and ideas.  I am looking forward to this chance to return and see the improvements.

So, today I am setting up straight through paypal a donation button, which I hope will get well used.  $5 is great, more than that steps me forward toward my goal.  I would love to see that $1000 tally again.  $1500 would be even better and I am using it as my official goal.  So I hope you can help, allow me the privilege to help and teach again this year.  To show another group of Paramedics just how much of an impact education can have on a community - empowering them to provide for their friends, families, neighbours and visitors.  And I hope eventually encouraging some of the youth to provide further care through further education.

Pretty neat, eh?



Let's see what we can make work... Cheers!

Friday, February 8, 2013

Graduation, giggling, gracias...

Well, I am doing a bit of reflection, looking at what I am going back into and how similar yet different it is going to be.  



The measure of success is not the piece of paper... it is the moment where pride is felt by both teacher and student. The smiles, the actions and competence... sure did mark a week of success.  


                




Amanda and Ellen helped with our lessons and worked on their spanish medical vocabulary.





Celebrations are had, laughs and thanks were shared.  We managed to communicate skills, knowledge, attitude and work ethic were also shared.  I also think that we're not just teaching but we are learning. I have so much more I want to learn.  I really would like to try to get a better grasp on my spanish - maybe on this trip.  I'm very excited in hopes that we get the same group of translators.  I felt very blessed that we got to work with them.  They were so talented - like multi-tasking in your brain all the way! :)


Traditional dance performed for us by the students.
Getting Kevin involved in the celebrations!


So in the end... I wish I had this done last april, but I knew this was just basically the wrap up and that the rest of the details were already down.  In fact it is nice to look back, especially knowing that April 5th I am going back.  Part 2 of the course - so some curriculum development, some review, so much fun.

                       
The journey had an end, but more of a break until we next meet.. At the end of the day it looks like fun was had by all... ;)