Managua, Nicaragua VE Workshop

Our Time In Nicaragua

  Our Time In Nicaragua 
  Originally uploaded by interplast

Managua, Nicaragua —Liliana Vazquez, Interplast Communications Technology Coordinator.

Our visit to Nicaragua was a memorable one. The hospitality we experienced only comes second to the valuable lessons we learned during our time at the hospital. Each child we met and story we heard helped reinforce in our hearts and minds the importance that these life-changing surgeries have. As we return home, Dr. Chandini and Asha Karunathilake to Sri Lanka and I to the United States, we return with newfound inspiration and knowledge that will be applied in our daily work.  This was my first trip with Interplast, and being able to write these blogs myself has proven to be a unique experience. As the Communications and Technology Coordinator at Interplast, I constantly receive blog entries from our volunteers abroad. However, having the opportunity to witness firsthand the work being done by our international partners and to meet the patients we serve has given me a new appreciation for the powerful human impact of all that we do.

Edwing

  Edwing 
  Originally uploaded by interplast

Managua, Nicaragua —Liliana Vazquez, Interplast Communications Technology Coordinator.

Edwing is 9 years old. Like many boys his age he enjoys exploring the outdoors with his friends. One day he and his friends found a small bomb out in the fields. As they tossed it away from them, the bomb exploded, leaving Edwing's hand badly damaged. He lost the index finger of his left hand which left him with a hand contracture that prevented him from opening his hand freely. This picture was taken after the surgery to release his hand contracture. Edwing is old enough to understand the impact this surgery will have in his life, but young enough to still smile enthusiastically at my camera.

Shared Commitment

  Shared Commitment 
  Originally uploaded by interplast

Managua, Nicaragua —Liliana Vazquez, Interplast Communications Technology Coordinator.

During my time in Nicaragua, I was constantly inspired by the level of commitment shared by the local staff as well as Dr. Chandini Perera and Physical Therapist Asha Karunathilake. Despite working for burn units on the other side of the world from each other, their deep passion for the work they do is identical. This dedication was apparent as we watched Nicaraguan therapist, Socorro, and Sri Lankan therapist, Asha, rush into the OR and work collectively to create a leg splint for a young baby who had just been operated. The leg splint is essential as it keeps the patient's leg from contracting after a burn. At that moment there were no language barriers or cultural differences, just the patient's well being in both their minds.

Some Things Don't Change

  Some Things Don't Change 
  Originally uploaded by interplast

Managua, Nicaragua —Liliana Vazquez, Interplast Communications Technology Coordinator.

Joseph is an energetic 4-year-old who suffered a severe water burn while playing in the kitchen of his home. At his young age he is constantly exploring the world around him; which led to him accidentally pouring boiling water over his body. Despite having a neck contracture that prevented him from turning his head, Joseph is always playing and keeping the hospital staff smiling. Dr. Chandini Perera and local plastic surgeon Dr. Mario Perez performed the surgery which released his neck contracture. The next day we visited Joseph to see his progress. Here he is pictured a day after his surgery. He now has greater mobility of his neck but has kept the same tireless energy and playful silliness which no surgery could ever change.

The Importance Of Therapy

  The Importance Of Therapy 
  Originally uploaded by interplast

Managua, Nicaragua —Liliana Vazquez, Interplast Communications Technology Coordinator.

This is 16-year-old Marilyn as she awaited her weekly therapy session. Just like many impoverished burn victims around the world, her burn injuries were caused by a lantern used to provide light for her home. After spending a month in intensive care, both she and her mother are very committed to following the therapist’s advice to help Marilyn heal correctly from her injuries. Without a proper therapy routine, burn patients’ wounds become contracted, leaving a person unable to move their limbs freely.

Katherine

  Katherin 
  Originally uploaded by interplast

Managua, Nicaragua —Liliana Vazquez, Interplast Communications Technology Coordinator.

Katherine is only 11 months old. As we walked into her room, she carefully watched each one of us arrive. Her attentive eyes and still nature captured all of us immediately. Referred to at the burn unit as the "miracle baby," Katherine was resurrected by doctors after suffering burns covering over 35% of her body. Katherine is from the town of Dario, which is named after Nicaragua's famous poet Ruben Dario. One day the lantern that provided light for her family exploded, engulfing their home in flames. Sadly, her mother died after the fire. Now her father sits by her bedside everyday, making sure to keep her company through her treatment. Later in the day Dr. Chandini Perera, Interplast's Surgical Outreach Director in Sri Lanka, helped the local staff change Katherine's dressings to keep them free from infection. I look forward to visiting Katherine again tomorrow, and watching her eyes widen as her doctors walk in announcing their presence with an enthusiastic "Buenos Dias, Katherine!"

From Sri Lanka to Managua

  From Sri Lanka to Managua 
  Originally uploaded by interplast

Managua, Nicaragua —Liliana Vazquez, Interplast Communications Technology Coordinator.

I arrived in Nicaragua on Sunday evening accompanying Dr. Chandini Perera (pictured on left) and occupational therapist Asha Karunathilake (pictured on right) from Sri Lanka. They are participating in Interplast's Visiting Educator program, with the goal to exchange ideas with their colleagues across the world and learn from the local burn unit here in Managua. As we arrived today, promptly at 8 am, we were warmly greeted by the staff of Asociacion Pro Ninos Quemados de Nicaragua (APROQUEN.) After a few welcoming words, we were off to start morning rounds and consultations, which quickly introduced us to the children we'll be working with the rest of our visit. Each child we met has his or her own story which I hope to share with you in the following days.