India update

Greetings from India,

Apologizes for the lack of updates and pictures. We are currently without access to the internet, which is why we are at a “browser store” at the moment typing this long, thought-out update for you. We promise that we have not been idle these past couple weeks, and we are so excited to share the whirlwind of adventures thus far in India.

College Health Lecture

Thus far we have created a clinic open to the community, which we have stocked with medications and hygiene products most prevalent to the needs of the people. Through the clinic Erica has been assessing and teaching over 50 caregivers, children, college students, and women about health; while, Catherine has been using her massage skills to help many with various aches and pain that accompany the laboring life of hard-working individuals. Some of the supplies we have bought include but are not limited to:

• ·         Underwear
• ·         Mosquito nets
• ·         Shoes
• ·         Hygiene products (soap, shampoo, lotion, toothbrushes, mouthwashes, etc.)
• ·         And various medical supplies (antifungal creams, cold medicine, antibiotic ointment, etc.)

These supplies have gone directly to woman and children within the community, and have already made a huge impact on the people, so we must say thank you to all of those who have supported this well-worthy cause.

We have also been accepted as significant and respectable women within the orphanage we are living in, which we are honored to be a part of.

A noteworthy point to state is that some expected and unexpected events have occurred (more unexpected than expected!!). Expected activities have included:

• ·         Teaching health class 3 days a week
• ·         Teaching classes related to spirituality 2 days a week
• ·         Performing health assessments 6 days a week
• ·         And teaching caregivers 2 days a week

UNEXPECTED activities have included:

• ·         Teaching English 4 days a week at a university
• ·         Teaching English in an orphanage once a week
• ·         Teaching guitar and music 3-4 days a week
• ·         Teaching in staff meetings twice a week about health and medications
• ·         Speaking in front of an entire college about obesity, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, and malaria (which was not mentioned until Erica walked in the door of the lecture hall)…
• ·         Speaking in front of at least 100 women in a small village about pregnancy, colds, coughs, fever, rape, and safety (which was also not mentioned until we arrived at the building)… 
• ·         Teaching a stretching class 3 days a week and a cardio class 2 days a week
• ·         Assessing up to 30 children per week
• ·         And being an on-call as a nurse and massage therapist 24/7

Lastly, we would like to mention that it has not been ALL work. We have both learned to find so much joy in the small things such as washing our own clothes, climbing a mountain, and simply enjoying the moments of laughter with the people of the community.

Laundry

Our day off!

Woman's Conference

Woman's Conference

Our First Sari's

Medical Supplies