When we went to our clinical areas for the first time we saw that basically everyone in Soloy sits in one big unairconditioned room waiting to be called. I stayed in the Doctor’s room the first day as she took patients. Each person had to say one thing only that they came there for. This is different than we’re used to because if you have a problem with anything else than say stomach pains you can talk to your doctor about your recurring headaches and have both taken care of at the same time. The doctor was very ademate about only one problem that could be taken care of. She did a lot of teaching with the women she saw and tried to be certain that they understood her directions. One of the biggest cultural differences I have found is the fact that many men have girlfriends as well as a wife. I know you’re thinking that this is the same as America but in Panama they’re very open about it and seem to accept it. Several other differences are that there aren’t many trashcans, soap dispensers look to be about ten years old, and no one seems to know what sterile technique is. We went to the Comarca also, which is the Indian reservation in Chiriquí. Their houses are mostly made out of pieces of wood and straw roofs. As I passed out candy I saw how little these people really have. Some of children have little to no clothing. I told one woman that we were going to be helping teach hand washing at the local school and she asked me how we were supposed to teach that when they couldn’t afford to buy soap, not to mention the fact that the water is unsuitable for use. I really didn’t know how to answer that because what can you really say? You can’t say it’s going to be OK because it’s not alright that they have to live like this. Even though these people don’t have much money they are happy especially when they’re playing in the river or walking their pet monkey, one that was happy jumping on our heads.
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