Keep Sustainable Healthcare Afloat in Panama

Today's update comes from Abteen Asgharian, who, while one of our younger volunteers, proved himself to be a huge asset when he joined us for a week in the remote community of Ensenada.

Going to a foreign place without electricity or running water was a concept I had never before experienced.  I didn't know what to expect on this mission.  In the beginning of this arduous yet exciting mission, my mother and I traveled to the heart of Panama- Panama City.  It was a beautiful city; it had an adequate amount of diverse fast-foods from all around the world and wonderful tourist sites such as the Panama Canal. After almost a week in Panama City, we traveled to Bocas del Toro, where I met some interesting members of Floating Doctors.

Bocas del Toro is located on the island of Colón, on the outskirts of Panama.  On the Sunday of June 21st, we went to the Floating Doctors warehouse.  It was the orientation.  A few of the members talked about their experiences in the past and what to expect on this fun experience.  I felt a little bit shy and uneasy at first just thinking about no phone for three nights, no pleasant bathroom, sleeping in a hammock instead of on a regular mattress, and the same food for three nights.  Honestly, I had never thought of being in a situation like that.  I never lived too wealthy or too poor- I loved my life just the way it was and thinking about the whole new experience of living a poor life in a foreign community just sounded astonishing.  I didn't worry too much about this idea that night, though, for I really wanted to see what it was like to live life "differently."

The next day was the first day of our journey to Ensenada, and our group dropped all our bags on the boats for the start of a two and a half hour boat ride.  It was a relaxing, enjoyable ride as the scenery was quite exquisite and a few droplets of water splashed when the boat approached the big waves.  When our group arrived at Ensenada, I was dumbfounded.  My first glimpse of the scenery there was a few rooftops made out of wood, something I usually didn't see coming from the United States.  We set up our hammocks that day and went out to the beach for a peaceful swim.  Wow- that beach was easily one of the best beaches I've ever visited!  The sand was smooth and soft, the water was not too cold nor hot, and there were a ton of trees all scattered together, making it look like a jungle.  It was a great first day at Ensenada, but my journey was only beginning.

The second and third day of Ensenada were busy, as we had to see over 100 patients each day.  I was working in administration with a couple other hard-working members.  it was a difficult, tiresome task, but I really improved my Spanish in those two days I was working.  Moreover, I had the opportunity to gain a sense of satisfaction from looking on the faces of the locals and knowing that my hard efforts are for a good cause.  Although I didn't help with the prescribing and handing out of medication to patients, I still felt that my work had helped Floating Doctors a great deal.  Surely, these two days I won't forget in a long, long time!

The following morning, our group packed our items once more for a trip back to Bocas del Toro.  It was an amazing experience, and I've been truly blessed to have the opportunity to help others and live the lives of the locals for three nights.  I really loved the environment I worked along with the friendliness of the locals there, and the love of the members of Floating Doctors.  Without these three elements, I don't think I would have enjoyed the trip as much.  In my previous years, my parents and I have made donations to many different causes, but I didn't feel the special impact from those donations compared to what I experienced first-hand in Ensenada.  For certain, I would go on this journey again (hopefully more fluent in Spanish) and maybe I'll feel a bigger impact than the first time.  I recommend this to everybody, as it teaches you the other side of live people don't usually experience and the feeling people get when they help others in need.

Photos courtesy of Sam Paci