Today's task at the clinic was something we had done once before, we had to unwrap rolls of gauze from their protective covering. We were working on our little table in the middle room that was used from supplies as usual. To make this activity a bit more fun while increasing our work rate, we tested each other to see how fast we could unravel and pack one bag of gauze rolls. On our first attempt we completed the bag in over minute. We then set a goal to break the one minute mark, which we soon accomplished. We then developed a system in which each of us takes control of one task. Using our new system we earned our bast ever record, 30 seconds!! We were thoroughly impressed by our efficiency. The nurses occasionally came in to the room to grab something or to grab a quick snack or to talk to us. Volunteering at the clinic was beginning to settle in as my weekly, enjoyable Saturday activity. Not only is it time for Abir and I to catch
up, but it is the only time in the week where i clear my mind from all thought except what me hands are doing. I usually find that I cannot think of much even though my hands are doing a continuous repetitive motion. For the time where Abir and I don not talk, I simply sit and enjoy the silence in my mind. For me, the time in the clinic is time for either a blank mind or time to reflect on myself; I forget all about the petty drama that usually occupies my mind. Once in a while, the screams and cries of a baby in pain rips me away from my trance and I begin to be thankful for my health and safety. My heart when I see the kinds of wounds and pains that these innocent children endure. Sister Petra came into the room as she usually does and told us a story of one of the patients. She once told us the story of how the house of one of the family's exploded and the daughter now had burn marks all over her skin and she made us go and look. Today, the sister told us the story of a little boy who comes to the clinic often because when he does something bad, his mother burns him with a hot spoon. I prayed for these children and I prayed for their families. Nobody should have to endure that type of suffering, especially at such a young age. The more I go to the clinic, the more aware I become of the living situation of the majority of the Egyptian population; i realize just how much of a bubble we live in. I want to make everyone aware of this and I want to do something about it, hopefully someday I will.
4 February, 2012
Today's task at the clinic was something we had done once before, we had to unwrap rolls of gauze from their protective covering. We were working on our little table in the middle room that was used from supplies as usual. To make this activity a bit more fun while increasing our work rate, we tested each other to see how fast we could unravel and pack one bag of gauze rolls. On our first attempt we completed the bag in over minute. We then set a goal to break the one minute mark, which we soon accomplished. We then developed a system in which each of us takes control of one task. Using our new system we earned our bast ever record, 30 seconds!! We were thoroughly impressed by our efficiency. The nurses occasionally came in to the room to grab something or to grab a quick snack or to talk to us. Volunteering at the clinic was beginning to settle in as my weekly, enjoyable Saturday activity. Not only is it time for Abir and I to catch
up, but it is the only time in the week where i clear my mind from all thought except what me hands are doing. I usually find that I cannot think of much even though my hands are doing a continuous repetitive motion. For the time where Abir and I don not talk, I simply sit and enjoy the silence in my mind. For me, the time in the clinic is time for either a blank mind or time to reflect on myself; I forget all about the petty drama that usually occupies my mind. Once in a while, the screams and cries of a baby in pain rips me away from my trance and I begin to be thankful for my health and safety. My heart when I see the kinds of wounds and pains that these innocent children endure. Sister Petra came into the room as she usually does and told us a story of one of the patients. She once told us the story of how the house of one of the family's exploded and the daughter now had burn marks all over her skin and she made us go and look. Today, the sister told us the story of a little boy who comes to the clinic often because when he does something bad, his mother burns him with a hot spoon. I prayed for these children and I prayed for their families. Nobody should have to endure that type of suffering, especially at such a young age. The more I go to the clinic, the more aware I become of the living situation of the majority of the Egyptian population; i realize just how much of a bubble we live in. I want to make everyone aware of this and I want to do something about it, hopefully someday I will.
Back to Journals