Last
Thursday, we were given the opportunity to work with the House of Hope
here in Dominica. This is a home that cares for the mentally and
physically disabled of the island, especially
children who have no one else to provide for them. When we reached the
house, it appeared similar to the others on the street, but there was no
well-kept yard for anyone to enjoy -- the yard was barren and littered
with rocks. Upon entering the home, we were
welcomed by the staff and a few of the residents. A quick tour showed
us a very tidy living area and a number of bedrooms. When we turned to
head back down the hallway, one of the youngest residents, Melissa,
grabbed my hand and wanted me to walk with her.
I did this for a while and just as quickly she latched onto another
member of our team wanting to walk with her too. Guided by Melissa, we
returned to the main living area to learn what we could do to help the
house. We decided to decorate the walkway leading
up to the main entrance to make it more welcoming.
The team felt it was important to leave words of welcome and encouragement and images that would brighten the residents' and the staffs' day. Closely observed by Melissa, the team painted brightly colored dragonflies, flowers, butterflies and hearts for the residents. To make the yard more appealing we also decorated some of the larger rocks and left messages of love, peace, and hope.
When we finished painting the walkway, we offered to help the staff with the children As it was lunchtime, one team member helped feed Melissa while others danced with those who had already finished eating. I truly wish there had been more ways for us to help -- it would have been wonderful to know that we had helped to lighten their work load, even if it was only for an hour.
As we watched the nurses care for the residents of the House of Hope, we could feel how dedicated they were to the children. However, it was surprising to learn just how dedicated they are. Upon leaving, we were informed that the staff is unpaid for their labors at the house and frequently they are working there on their days off. Truly a labor of love!
Another aspect of the staffing that took me by surprise is how reluctant they were to tell us what they needed to care for the residents. It took very careful questioning and sleuthing to determine what products might be most helpful upon our return in April. There was very little provided in the way of resources for the staff or the children, but they did not complain. When directly asked what they needed, they honestly could not think of anything! It took some intense prompting from our team to get the ideas rolling as to what would be most helpful, and even then all we could coax from them was diapers, aprons, and gloves! I compared their behavior to what I have seen in the States and I was astonished. If people from North America had to work with such limited resources, they would have been demanding all kinds of products and complaining about the long hours and lack of pay!
I was glad to have been a part, however brief, of the lives of the residents of the House of Hope. It was rewarding to interact with the children -- hearing their laughter and seeing them smile was a great way to spend the morning. I know that I will always remember the House of Hope as a welcoming place with wonderful staff who truly love the people in their care. I am also going to strive to keep their attitude toward limited resources in my mind. The nurses did not feel as though they lacked anything; they carried on with what they had. While this made me want to help them, it also serves as a benchmark for me personally. If they can manage to care for so many with the limited resources they have at their command, I can also manage my tasks with what I have been given. I hope our decorations remain on the walkway as long as the impact of what I have been shown stays in my heart.
Courtney Thomas
The team felt it was important to leave words of welcome and encouragement and images that would brighten the residents' and the staffs' day. Closely observed by Melissa, the team painted brightly colored dragonflies, flowers, butterflies and hearts for the residents. To make the yard more appealing we also decorated some of the larger rocks and left messages of love, peace, and hope.
When we finished painting the walkway, we offered to help the staff with the children As it was lunchtime, one team member helped feed Melissa while others danced with those who had already finished eating. I truly wish there had been more ways for us to help -- it would have been wonderful to know that we had helped to lighten their work load, even if it was only for an hour.
As we watched the nurses care for the residents of the House of Hope, we could feel how dedicated they were to the children. However, it was surprising to learn just how dedicated they are. Upon leaving, we were informed that the staff is unpaid for their labors at the house and frequently they are working there on their days off. Truly a labor of love!
Another aspect of the staffing that took me by surprise is how reluctant they were to tell us what they needed to care for the residents. It took very careful questioning and sleuthing to determine what products might be most helpful upon our return in April. There was very little provided in the way of resources for the staff or the children, but they did not complain. When directly asked what they needed, they honestly could not think of anything! It took some intense prompting from our team to get the ideas rolling as to what would be most helpful, and even then all we could coax from them was diapers, aprons, and gloves! I compared their behavior to what I have seen in the States and I was astonished. If people from North America had to work with such limited resources, they would have been demanding all kinds of products and complaining about the long hours and lack of pay!
I was glad to have been a part, however brief, of the lives of the residents of the House of Hope. It was rewarding to interact with the children -- hearing their laughter and seeing them smile was a great way to spend the morning. I know that I will always remember the House of Hope as a welcoming place with wonderful staff who truly love the people in their care. I am also going to strive to keep their attitude toward limited resources in my mind. The nurses did not feel as though they lacked anything; they carried on with what they had. While this made me want to help them, it also serves as a benchmark for me personally. If they can manage to care for so many with the limited resources they have at their command, I can also manage my tasks with what I have been given. I hope our decorations remain on the walkway as long as the impact of what I have been shown stays in my heart.
Courtney Thomas
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