TRANSFORMATIONS
Back to the Recovery and Post Op rooms. One of the best parts of the trip there was seeing the people after surgery.
I woke up one morning and rushed to the hospital to see if I could catch Qalif and Amir. :)
I luckily did. They were hurting because of the surgery. But I got to watch as they saw themselves in the mirror. They were so surprised at what it looked like! A complete transformation! They could now live a completely normal life! I got a lump in my throat as I talked with the boys. They knew they're life would be different.
Another person I met was a 13 year old girl named Malach. Which means Angel. She was so sweet. I got to know her. I talked to her about school, friends, what we like to do. We played cards for a long time and we got to know each other. Her cleft looked absolutely gorgeous! She was so beautiful! Especially on the inside! I worked past my shift just to hang out with her some more. I promised her I'd be back before she left in the morning.
She left too early.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Egypt Mission Days 7-10
I arrived in Qena, Egypt. The small town I'd helped a few years back. We got off the plane, got our baggage and met Dr. Hosnea and Shech Muhammed. Dr. Hosnea drove us to the Hotel we would stay at. He told us about his kids. He has 3 girls and a boy. His oldest girls Niyera and Nihel became great friends to me.
I spent the next few days with them, meeting people I'd helped, and just being with my new friends. They became like my Egyptian family. Even though I'd only known them for a few days.
I got to go a small village on day with them. They made there own Hibiscus tea and they ate on the ground and we ate traditional upper Egyptian foods! It was delicious!
I went around and looked at the huts with Niyera and Nihel.
We later went to the Market. Dr. Hosnea bought me a Islamic/Egyptian outfit. Nihel taught my how to tie the material around my head. It was beautiful!
When it was time for me to leave Qena, I almost cried.
I would miss the Hosnea's so much. Especially his daughters. Niyera bought this keychain that says "I love you on it." Its to parts to a heart. She gave me one half. Her and her sister have the other.
I put it on a necklace.
I wear it all the time.
<3
I spent the next few days with them, meeting people I'd helped, and just being with my new friends. They became like my Egyptian family. Even though I'd only known them for a few days.
I got to go a small village on day with them. They made there own Hibiscus tea and they ate on the ground and we ate traditional upper Egyptian foods! It was delicious!
I went around and looked at the huts with Niyera and Nihel.
We later went to the Market. Dr. Hosnea bought me a Islamic/Egyptian outfit. Nihel taught my how to tie the material around my head. It was beautiful!
When it was time for me to leave Qena, I almost cried.
I would miss the Hosnea's so much. Especially his daughters. Niyera bought this keychain that says "I love you on it." Its to parts to a heart. She gave me one half. Her and her sister have the other.
I put it on a necklace.
I wear it all the time.
<3
Egypt Mission Day 6
SURGERY DAY 2
Yay! I didn't go into surgery today tho...
I am starting to miss Bakersfeld. Mostly just the smell of cows in the morning. I could live in Egypt as an Op Smile mission cordinator. Just tell me when. :D
Or just in general I really like Egypt actually! Today my mom ignored the alarm clock and slept in till nine! Oh well we needed the sleep. Megan (mission cordinator who is AWESOME) walked with us to the hospital. Dr. Samarrai's fill in is here! I can't wait to go to Qena, Egypt. When I go there, I get to meet the kids I helped when I payed for the last mission to Qena! I'm so excited.
I'm syched!
TODAY- we played with the kids and I spent alot of my time in Post Op. Kelly (rommie) who is a night nurse. worked WAY over time. I felt so bad. I keep thinking about what I'm gonna tell everyone I did here. There's just so much!
A BRAVE BOY...
Remember the 12 year old boy Qalif? Right before his surgery he was crying. I went to go talk to him with my mom. I knew how he felt. I'm not going to lie it's completly terrifying being on that surgery bed gonna be pushed through those doors. Knowing that they are going to operate on you. And wondering if you will wake up after. It made me cry just to see him upset.
I told him it'd be okay. I'm geting teary just writing this. It was so emotional. I wanted him to be okay. I knew nothing would go wrong- but you can't just explain that to someone. Its scarry.
That boy is so brave. He will be so handsome ( he already is) and he will be a total knockout. I want the best for him. He's great.
Leaving for Qena
I'm on the plane to Qena now! Dr. Samarai and Mom are right by me. I'm listening to my iPod and reflecting on everything.
Yay! I didn't go into surgery today tho...
I am starting to miss Bakersfeld. Mostly just the smell of cows in the morning. I could live in Egypt as an Op Smile mission cordinator. Just tell me when. :D
Or just in general I really like Egypt actually! Today my mom ignored the alarm clock and slept in till nine! Oh well we needed the sleep. Megan (mission cordinator who is AWESOME) walked with us to the hospital. Dr. Samarrai's fill in is here! I can't wait to go to Qena, Egypt. When I go there, I get to meet the kids I helped when I payed for the last mission to Qena! I'm so excited.
I'm syched!
TODAY- we played with the kids and I spent alot of my time in Post Op. Kelly (rommie) who is a night nurse. worked WAY over time. I felt so bad. I keep thinking about what I'm gonna tell everyone I did here. There's just so much!
A BRAVE BOY...
Remember the 12 year old boy Qalif? Right before his surgery he was crying. I went to go talk to him with my mom. I knew how he felt. I'm not going to lie it's completly terrifying being on that surgery bed gonna be pushed through those doors. Knowing that they are going to operate on you. And wondering if you will wake up after. It made me cry just to see him upset.
I told him it'd be okay. I'm geting teary just writing this. It was so emotional. I wanted him to be okay. I knew nothing would go wrong- but you can't just explain that to someone. Its scarry.
That boy is so brave. He will be so handsome ( he already is) and he will be a total knockout. I want the best for him. He's great.
Leaving for Qena
I'm on the plane to Qena now! Dr. Samarai and Mom are right by me. I'm listening to my iPod and reflecting on everything.
Egypt Mission Day 5
1ST DAY OF SURGERY!
I woke up @ 6:00 am and went to breakfast. We had the same thing we had every morning (aysh- egyptian bread- and boiled eggs.). We carried all the toys down from our room (#512) and walked to the hospital. Ther were So many kids! We played with them all day. (again :P)
So I played with a bunch of kids. Not a joke: there were four Achmed's in the same room with two Malachs. :) But I LOVED those kids. I loved holding them and talking to the parents and just being there.
I WENT INTO SURGERY!
Oh. My. GOODNESS GRACIOUS! Surgery is definately my calling. It was so inspireing. The way the cut and how precise they were! I was completly interested! My mom kept asking if I was going to be sick. I didn't get sick at all. It was odd seeing what they'd done to my face right in front of me but it was great! I. WILL. Be a surgeon. And do this someday. Helping Operation Smile.
I also watched Post-Op and Recovery. If the surgeon thing doesn't work out I am doing Pediatric Intensive Care. Later, me and Esperanza (Egyptian volunteer), Farida (same), Arzoo (same) played another ball game with Amir and Qalif. (two of my very favorites). They were twelve. Amir was such a character. We would play and he was SO athletic. Like a proffessional soccer playe. OH i forgot! There was a huge Futball game! It was on screening day 2. We all painted our faces with Egyptian flags. It was Egypt vs. Algeria. Egypt lost :(
Plus everyone took Futball VERY seriously. It was sad. And to make it worse Algerians would through glass at the Egyptians and two players got hurt and had to be flown out on a gov plane.
I woke up @ 6:00 am and went to breakfast. We had the same thing we had every morning (aysh- egyptian bread- and boiled eggs.). We carried all the toys down from our room (#512) and walked to the hospital. Ther were So many kids! We played with them all day. (again :P)
So I played with a bunch of kids. Not a joke: there were four Achmed's in the same room with two Malachs. :) But I LOVED those kids. I loved holding them and talking to the parents and just being there.
I WENT INTO SURGERY!
Oh. My. GOODNESS GRACIOUS! Surgery is definately my calling. It was so inspireing. The way the cut and how precise they were! I was completly interested! My mom kept asking if I was going to be sick. I didn't get sick at all. It was odd seeing what they'd done to my face right in front of me but it was great! I. WILL. Be a surgeon. And do this someday. Helping Operation Smile.
I also watched Post-Op and Recovery. If the surgeon thing doesn't work out I am doing Pediatric Intensive Care. Later, me and Esperanza (Egyptian volunteer), Farida (same), Arzoo (same) played another ball game with Amir and Qalif. (two of my very favorites). They were twelve. Amir was such a character. We would play and he was SO athletic. Like a proffessional soccer playe. OH i forgot! There was a huge Futball game! It was on screening day 2. We all painted our faces with Egyptian flags. It was Egypt vs. Algeria. Egypt lost :(
Plus everyone took Futball VERY seriously. It was sad. And to make it worse Algerians would through glass at the Egyptians and two players got hurt and had to be flown out on a gov plane.
Egypt Mission Day 4
DAY OF WORK #3 AND SURPRISE TRIP!
I woke up at 7 am and I'm mostly wide awake...okay, i lied. I'm SO not awake :)
Today we were supposed to start surgery. BUt the Pediatrice Intensive Care couldn't make it. No one could proceed with that many children so today we'll work till noon. Then go SHOPPING! I want one of the fabrics the women cover their heads with. The material is absolutely gorgeous!!! It's also so sweet that they cover their heads to be like the Virgin Mary! I love it! I'm still getting used to the bathroom situation though lol!!!!
WHAT HAPPENED TODAY:
Guess what? So 1st, we got to the mtting. and we decide what we'll do today. We will first go to the Museum. So, I totally enjoyed the museum! We saw all the pharoh's and all that! Then we took a boat ride on the Nile River. We ate traditional Egyptian foods! "Babaganoud" is the bomb. Then-here it comes- we went: to the MARKET!!! It was crazy! It was poor and dirty crowded and little. With little kids trying to come up to you and sell cloth and jewelry. It was so heartbreaking! They had enormous big brown sad eyes that made me want to adopt those kids (despite the fact i'm 12..) and buy them the world! They'd go "Ma'am! Ma'am! May i get you a pretty necklace for 2 american dollars? Please? I give you 1 for two American dollars!" They wer sad and tired too. We bought jewelry from them becaue it was just so unbearably sad.
And this boy- whom I talked to in Arabic- he was lke "Hey blondie! Sweet girl! Pretty!" while I blush since he was like 13, he shakes my hand- but doesn't let go. While still holding my hand he turns to my mom and goes "I marry her?" It was so funny. My mom goes "What? Wait? No! She's mine!" I thought it was hilarious. He was serious too I believe..
Dr. Samarrai bought me a bag and hair tie/cloth/thingie (not sure what proper term is) :)
So sweet. I love that guy.
Night
I woke up at 7 am and I'm mostly wide awake...okay, i lied. I'm SO not awake :)
Today we were supposed to start surgery. BUt the Pediatrice Intensive Care couldn't make it. No one could proceed with that many children so today we'll work till noon. Then go SHOPPING! I want one of the fabrics the women cover their heads with. The material is absolutely gorgeous!!! It's also so sweet that they cover their heads to be like the Virgin Mary! I love it! I'm still getting used to the bathroom situation though lol!!!!
WHAT HAPPENED TODAY:
Guess what? So 1st, we got to the mtting. and we decide what we'll do today. We will first go to the Museum. So, I totally enjoyed the museum! We saw all the pharoh's and all that! Then we took a boat ride on the Nile River. We ate traditional Egyptian foods! "Babaganoud" is the bomb. Then-here it comes- we went: to the MARKET!!! It was crazy! It was poor and dirty crowded and little. With little kids trying to come up to you and sell cloth and jewelry. It was so heartbreaking! They had enormous big brown sad eyes that made me want to adopt those kids (despite the fact i'm 12..) and buy them the world! They'd go "Ma'am! Ma'am! May i get you a pretty necklace for 2 american dollars? Please? I give you 1 for two American dollars!" They wer sad and tired too. We bought jewelry from them becaue it was just so unbearably sad.
And this boy- whom I talked to in Arabic- he was lke "Hey blondie! Sweet girl! Pretty!" while I blush since he was like 13, he shakes my hand- but doesn't let go. While still holding my hand he turns to my mom and goes "I marry her?" It was so funny. My mom goes "What? Wait? No! She's mine!" I thought it was hilarious. He was serious too I believe..
Dr. Samarrai bought me a bag and hair tie/cloth/thingie (not sure what proper term is) :)
So sweet. I love that guy.
Night
Egypt Mission Day 3
GOOD MORNING!
Good morning Africa! Wow! It's beautiful! It's 5:45 am. But I am wide awake and ready to go! Apparently, there's isn't an abundance of toilet paper here. It was a shock :)
Insted tere's a little water spout to rinse of when you're dong doing your business..
That took some getting used to and I now have a napkin on me at all times but I am pumped and ready to start screening day 2! Back to the toilet business: do NOT shake with your LEFT HAND. My early morning important lesson.
I LOVE it here in Egypt. I truly do.
SREENING DAY 2
Today was a completely life changing and amazing day! It's so great here. First, after we went to breakfast (Egyptian food- LOVE it!) e had a quick meeting and went straight to work. I was mostly with the two Operation Smile student volunteers. They where from Malibu (Kelcie) and Maryland (Jackie). They're high school students and they are so nice! We had a great time. We walked to the hspital carrying bags of toys. and bubbles and stickers.
I am learning so much Arabic from my new friends in Egypt. There are tons of Egyptian student volunteers from high schools. I played with the kids almost all day! They LOVE bubbles! The absolutely lov ethem! I met almost four hundred kids. We passed out stickers and they're facinated with those too! The faces on the girls light up when you give them stickers and they boys are crazy for new toys.
Wow. Everything is poor. Me and Khouloud (otherwise known as Doody) came up with a game for the kids. We used blow up soccer balls. These kids are amazing at soccer. Its insane.
There wasn't actually a volleyball net it was a bunch of chairs lined up. The games were great adnt he kids loved it. We spent so long just sitting watching the kids play and joining in with them. I met so many people with clefts. So many people like me. A couple of the boys I played with were really sweet. There was a boy named Minah andhe loved the made up game. There was another boy ame Whalid (I can'ts spell any names BTW). He was very shy.
We are Egyptain sandwitches for lunch. By lunch, we were ALL exhasted! I'm falling asleep while I write. We entertained the kids and talked to the parents and encouraged them. Some of my favorite Arabic words. (Spelt the way they are spoken..)
Hi- Ahlen Bye- Maa Salama How r u? Izzaik? Ok- meyshie Picture- sura
Yes- nam No- la'a And you? Wente Whats ur name? Ismak ey? Ismake?
My name is- ismi ______.
You can't drink the water here. It's contaminated & the food is different but still interesting and great!
Good morning Africa! Wow! It's beautiful! It's 5:45 am. But I am wide awake and ready to go! Apparently, there's isn't an abundance of toilet paper here. It was a shock :)
Insted tere's a little water spout to rinse of when you're dong doing your business..
That took some getting used to and I now have a napkin on me at all times but I am pumped and ready to start screening day 2! Back to the toilet business: do NOT shake with your LEFT HAND. My early morning important lesson.
I LOVE it here in Egypt. I truly do.
SREENING DAY 2
Today was a completely life changing and amazing day! It's so great here. First, after we went to breakfast (Egyptian food- LOVE it!) e had a quick meeting and went straight to work. I was mostly with the two Operation Smile student volunteers. They where from Malibu (Kelcie) and Maryland (Jackie). They're high school students and they are so nice! We had a great time. We walked to the hspital carrying bags of toys. and bubbles and stickers.
I am learning so much Arabic from my new friends in Egypt. There are tons of Egyptian student volunteers from high schools. I played with the kids almost all day! They LOVE bubbles! The absolutely lov ethem! I met almost four hundred kids. We passed out stickers and they're facinated with those too! The faces on the girls light up when you give them stickers and they boys are crazy for new toys.
Wow. Everything is poor. Me and Khouloud (otherwise known as Doody) came up with a game for the kids. We used blow up soccer balls. These kids are amazing at soccer. Its insane.
There wasn't actually a volleyball net it was a bunch of chairs lined up. The games were great adnt he kids loved it. We spent so long just sitting watching the kids play and joining in with them. I met so many people with clefts. So many people like me. A couple of the boys I played with were really sweet. There was a boy named Minah andhe loved the made up game. There was another boy ame Whalid (I can'ts spell any names BTW). He was very shy.
We are Egyptain sandwitches for lunch. By lunch, we were ALL exhasted! I'm falling asleep while I write. We entertained the kids and talked to the parents and encouraged them. Some of my favorite Arabic words. (Spelt the way they are spoken..)
Hi- Ahlen Bye- Maa Salama How r u? Izzaik? Ok- meyshie Picture- sura
Yes- nam No- la'a And you? Wente Whats ur name? Ismak ey? Ismake?
My name is- ismi ______.
You can't drink the water here. It's contaminated & the food is different but still interesting and great!
Egypt Mission Day 2 continued...
IN EGYPT!
Still, I have no idea what time it is. Or what day it is! I'm here in my room. We just atre dinner. When we left the airport, we had to drive (not US driving..) in a taxi. It's crazy how they drive. LA traffic has got nothin on Egypt :). Thre's people walking through the streets. People are walking all around us!! But the funny thing is that in America with our "orderly" traffic rules etc. we have a bunch of accidents. But in Egypt, there's rarely an accident!! lol.
When we got to the hotel, we dragged all our luggage up to our room. We have a roommate named Kelly but I haven't met her yet.. Actually, it's not really a hotel. It's an enormous soccer stadium and we are just staying in it.
My mom and I put are suitcases away and headed straight for screening!
SCREENING!
It's so poor and sad right now. People all throught Egypt have traveled to get here. Druhing screening we walked throught the hospital and talked to the kids. Even though we couldn't speak the same language, the kids looked up to me. They wanted me to show them my own success and tell them everything would be okay. We talked to the moms and they were scared to death. they were afraid for their kids and they had so many questions to aske my mom and I. They wanted to know if you could do other surgeries after this...etc. We talked to this one lady who's daughter had a cleft lip and the cleft palate. Her daughter's name was Samah. We talked to her for hile. but it was heartbreaking to see her be turned away. Samah was 5 kilos underweight. Because of the cleft, it was hard to get her weight up because it's hard to feed her. Her mother took it well and took Samah home. My heart just sunk over this sweet family.
One great thing happened though- wen my mom and I were watching the screening, there was a boy my age who had a cleft. We were talking to his parents and we got a picture w/ him and his family.
Roomate!
My roommate, Kelly, is super sweet. She's from Texas so I enjoy her accent hahaha! We had a great Egyptian dinner and I am SO jet lagged! I don't know what day or time it is. Night night!
Still, I have no idea what time it is. Or what day it is! I'm here in my room. We just atre dinner. When we left the airport, we had to drive (not US driving..) in a taxi. It's crazy how they drive. LA traffic has got nothin on Egypt :). Thre's people walking through the streets. People are walking all around us!! But the funny thing is that in America with our "orderly" traffic rules etc. we have a bunch of accidents. But in Egypt, there's rarely an accident!! lol.
When we got to the hotel, we dragged all our luggage up to our room. We have a roommate named Kelly but I haven't met her yet.. Actually, it's not really a hotel. It's an enormous soccer stadium and we are just staying in it.
My mom and I put are suitcases away and headed straight for screening!
SCREENING!
It's so poor and sad right now. People all throught Egypt have traveled to get here. Druhing screening we walked throught the hospital and talked to the kids. Even though we couldn't speak the same language, the kids looked up to me. They wanted me to show them my own success and tell them everything would be okay. We talked to the moms and they were scared to death. they were afraid for their kids and they had so many questions to aske my mom and I. They wanted to know if you could do other surgeries after this...etc. We talked to this one lady who's daughter had a cleft lip and the cleft palate. Her daughter's name was Samah. We talked to her for hile. but it was heartbreaking to see her be turned away. Samah was 5 kilos underweight. Because of the cleft, it was hard to get her weight up because it's hard to feed her. Her mother took it well and took Samah home. My heart just sunk over this sweet family.
One great thing happened though- wen my mom and I were watching the screening, there was a boy my age who had a cleft. We were talking to his parents and we got a picture w/ him and his family.
Roomate!
My roommate, Kelly, is super sweet. She's from Texas so I enjoy her accent hahaha! We had a great Egyptian dinner and I am SO jet lagged! I don't know what day or time it is. Night night!
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