Dominican Republic: A Day Of Service At Red Misericordia

Hello my fellow adventurers, 

It was an eventful and impactful day at Red Misericordia. Our group of public health students was divided into teams and assigned various activities at the NGO. I had the privilege of leading the nursery group, consisting of four other students. Our first task was to prepare ourselves by scrubbing in, changing into appropriate clothing, and wearing sterile shoes. Once we were ready, we entered the nursery and began our mission.

Upon entering the nursery, I immediately discussed the specific needs of these infants based on their experiences. Our public health students were trained in Trauma-Informed care, understanding that these infants had been abandoned and deprived of basic necessities like proper nutrition and physical touch. It was clear that our goal was to break this cycle of neglect and provide them with the love and support they desperately needed.

One crucial aspect I emphasized to our students was the significance of skin-to-skin contact. Infants thrive on physical touch, which plays a vital role in their development. We aimed to create a safe and nurturing environment for these infants by simulating the touch and feel of a mother and child through swaddling and close contact. It was heartwarming to witness the positive impact of our interventions as the babies responded well to the skin-to-skin contact and quickly warmed up to the children.

In addition to nurturing, I taught the students important feeding techniques. Some infants struggled with bottle feeding due to muscle weakness, a common issue in newborns. I instructed our students on feeding techniques to assist the babies, resulting in successful feeding sessions and improved well-being for the infants. However, our involvement did not stop there. We wanted our students to have a holistic understanding of infant care, including medical skills. We taught them how to perform a pediatric evaluation, assessing reflexes, visual responsiveness, and head control. They even had the opportunity to use a stethoscope to listen to the infants' hearts, lungs, and digestive systems. These evaluations provided valuable health information and allowed us to ensure the babies' well-being. The students were amazed by the clarity of the sounds they could hear!

As the day progressed, we were able to assist with various tasks at the NGO, such as helping children get ready for a graduation ceremony and feeding animals at the farm. These tasks supported our mission at the NGO to provide assistance wherever it was needed, while also showing the children that there were people outside the NGO who cared about their success. Another important task of the day was to evaluate the NGO and assess its capabilities to meet public health needs. This involved interviewing NGO employees, inquiring about their policies related to improving public health, and observing the environment to draw conclusions.

While the medical aspects were exciting, we also recognized the importance of hands-on care. Before leaving, we engaged in the less glamorous but essential task of changing diapers. Our students handled it with expertise, drawing on their prior experience and knowledge. It was a fulfilling way to conclude our day of service. With some free time remaining, our CIEE students played with the infants, attempting to make them laugh and smile.

Giving our students responsibility in the nursery was crucial. We understood the sensitivity of the task and recognized that active participation would provide them with firsthand knowledge of the needs of infants in the community. This hands-on experience deepened their understanding and allowed them to make a meaningful difference in these babies' lives. Overall, our day at the nursery was filled with excitement and purpose. The infants received the love, care, and medical attention they deserved, and our students gained invaluable insights into the world of infant care and public health.

Until next time!