Volunteers Archives - Page 11 of 12 - Shoulder to Shoulder, Inc.

April 22, 2013June 19, 2023

Community Clothing Drive for Newborns

This month, our local comites, our local community Hombro a Hombro committees, are organizing a clothing drive for newborns who are delivered at Hombro a Hombro clinics.
Many of our community members cannot afford even the most basic necessities for their children. They arrive from the campo without blankets, beanies, or clothes for their newborns.

Following the opening of our new hogar, or home away from home, in Concepción, our comites recognized the need to provide needy families with proper newborn clothing.
This week, we visited local area schools to get out the word. Later this month, our staff, local volunteers, and comite members will go door to door soliciting donations.

Professors from the Santa Lucia Colegio (technical high school) support the community clothing drive.

Kate Holbrook, director of nursing at the Santa Lucia Clinic, speaks to local schoolchildren about the community clothing drive.

It looks like we’ll have plenty of volunteer helpers!

Prof. Rene, head of the Santa Lucia comite and a local teacher, discusses the clothing drive with his students.

July 26, 2012June 19, 2023

Dayton High School: Guachi (July 13-23)

Dayton high school had a great time on their very first brigade in Guachi. Even though they weren’t a traditional medical brigade, they had just as big of an impact working. They spent their mornings playing with the kids in both the grade school and the kindergarten and giving presentations about self-esteem and dental care. They brought down materials for arts and crafts and different teaching tools for the teachers. In the afternoon they worked hard painting both schools and playing soccer out front with kids from the community. By the end of the week they still had enough energy for a dinner with some of the local families and a talent show. Their energy shined through even on the rainiest of days as they all got together and had a makeshift mudslide in the lawn of the clinic. It was so great to see a young group of people so invested in the community and willing to try just about anything. We are looking forward to having them back again!

IMG_0190-768x1024 — Brigade painting the local grade school

September 5, 2011June 19, 2023

A Life Changing Experience

Reflections from a brigade member:
“Back now from Santa Lucia and Concepcion for almost three weeks and still taking cold showers, conserving water, and sitting down at the table to eat my meals (with my family!). The inner peace I brought home with me from Honduras is incredible.
I would like to thank Shoulder to Shoulder for providing me the opportunity to experience healthcare in Honduras and share my nursing skills and knowledge with an incredible population.
Many years ago my family was rescued in the mountains of Mexico by a Hispanic family. They cared for us without question until we were safely back on the road. This led to a life long friendship and my father vowing to help educate their family. He did that and so much more. Through this experience I fell deeply in love of with the Hispanic culture and have continued my father’s work years after his death. It wasn’t until two years ago that I became a nurse and knew then that my mission was to provide medical care for the poor especially in Hispanic countries. I think my father would be proud. You see my father was a physician and I did not go to nursing school until after his death when I was 43 years old.
The staff were amazing and I thank them for keeping us healthy and safe. I followed all the advice I read on the web site and came back healthy and in shape thanks to the endless walking uphill. How was it we never seemed to be walking down hill? Incredible!
Our translators are to be congratulated. Daniel, Foncho, and Josh were courteous, mature, and always available for translation needs. Our prepared health promotion was on women’s contraception and each young man handled themselves professionally. I know they went out of their way to make sure we were safe and comfortable. My thanks to all three of them.

Bonus Photo: Here is a view during a sunrise hike overlooking the clinic in Santa Lucia. Although brigade members have to wake up early for the hike to witness this view, this priceless image often justifies any loss of sleep.

I am still in awe of what I experienced in Honduras. There is nothing greater than giving of yourself to others. I respect the mission of Shoulder to Shoulder and hope to return on another brigade. It would be an honor to find a way I can continue to support Shoulder to Shoulder with my nursing skills.”