Nursing and Physical Therapy students at work in Keramion.

It was another beautiful day in Guatemala!

Today we embarked on our first day of clinic work, but not before sharing a morning meal together. With a quenched appetite, we were all energized for the day ahead. We separated into two groups headed for two different facilities, but kept one goal — to learn, to care, to teach, and to spread love to all those we are surrounded by.

Occupational Therapy student in her zone at Keramion.

Team selfie after a full day at Guardiania.

Pharmacy student takes blood pressure at Guardiania.

The first group included two nursing students, two social work students, three occupational therapy students, two occupational therapy professors, and our physical therapy student. We ventured to a local school called Keramion, which focuses specifically on caring for and educating children with disabilities. The day was filled with individual evaluations of cognitive abilities along with fine and gross motor skills. When we first arrived to the school we were welcomed with warm smiles and hugs from the director, her family, and the staff. The team was immediately engrossed in the culture of Keramion through music and dancing along side the students. Throughout the evaluations, the staff was equally as eager to receive feedback as we were to share our thoughts. As we progressed through the daytime, staff of Keramion shared all the advances they have made through the years of Belmont’s visits and their continued experiences. It was instantly obvious the passion and love the staff showed each and every student as well as our presence there. We were able to present the Keramion staff and students an abundance of donated items from the Belmont and Nashville community. These gifts included many many toys, t-shirts, educational supplies, and a computer!

— If you are interested in knowing more about Keramion, they have an active Facebook page and we would love to spread the word on all that they have and continue to do for the local community! —

The second group included ten nursing students and four pharmacy students. We opened clinic in Guardiania for the community. We saw around sixty individuals during the course of the day, majority of them being small children. Students took blood pressure, heart rate, weight, temperate, blood glucose levels, and addressed any chief complaint(s). We were fortunate enough to have a local doctor on site with us to evaluate those individuals who required further examinations. Any necessary prescriptions were provided to the patients by the team pharmacy. Members of the team taught and demonstrated CPR and choking techniques to those waiting to be seen by the other team members. A local Nashville dentist’s office, Delta Dental, donated tooth brushes, tooth paste, and floss that we were able to distribute to community members that came into the clinic. From the moment we opened clinic to the moment we left for the day we were showered with love and gratitude. We were welcomed with smiling faces eager to receive care as many of the individuals do not have the means to see a doctor when sick much less on a regular basis.

Once each group returned from their respective site, we gathered for a traditional Guatemalan dinner of rice and chicken stew (so very yummy)! With a little down time following dinner many students explored more into the city indulging in a few local sweet treats. As we concluded our first day in practice settings, we gathered to share stories of our day. In synopsis, we were all so amazed to experience overwhelming love and gratitude for our time, and feel encouraged for the remaining week. We are all so grateful for the interpreters that have traveled with us to both places as the played an vital role in our work place team!

It was a privilege for all of us to be here and a gift to serve communities in need. We often forget how good we have it until we see the struggles of others who do not. Tonight we count our blessings for all that we have and pray for the mercies to those we serve.

With love,

Kaitlyn Kerley and Claire Isaia, Pharmacy and Occupational Therapy Students.

Authors from left to right: Claire Isaia (Occupational Therapy) and Kaitlyn Kerley (Pharmacy).