One year mark in KG

One year. Kyrgyzstan.

So much have happened. I don't want to say that this is a life changing experience, however, I feel that I have learned to embrace a lot more now than I would have ever. I have left my comfort zone and came half way across the world. Sometimes I reflect upon this and would think that it was a big life decision that I made but I'm glad I did because..

I now have an extended family that I can never forget. As the youngest of my family, I always wanted younger siblings. My wish came true.. but in Kyrgyzstan. I have so many younger brothers and sisters, including a few older ones. They care for me very much and I love each and every one of them. To name a few incidents, it's watermelon season and my brother invited me to go to the village to try them. My sister, who just went to Sweden, asked me to help her with English. Another brother would always come up to me to compare his height. My aunts and uncles are very concern about me and my future. While it's true that we have a language barrier, that doesn't keep us separated. We try to express ourselves genuienly. It is sad the fact that I cannot understand them sometimes, but we try our best.

For those that are interested about my work life here. I've been working so much at the hospital -- dedicating my time and energy to those that are in need. Sharing my knowledge and expertise with those that will benefit. Out of humor I would complain to my friends and say that I don't get paid enough for what I do. I can't say that everything have gone smoothly since I've been here... but I am making progress. Something as small as teaching computers to the nurses and doctors OR to a larger scale of creating a trust and communication seminar. Going on rounds to do infection control monitoring. Creating a physical therapy room for Cerebral Palsy children. Increasing patient satisfaction. Blood drive? And possible introducing a public health curriculum. Bottomline is-- I am trying to introduce methodologies are the sustainable, efficient and economical. It takes much more than just a seminar to change their behavior and ways of doing thing. It takes constant reminders, patience, trainings and much more. Of course I cannot say that I already completely understand their culture. I have only scratched the surface. But thanks to my friends and organizations that I've partnered with... I feel like I have gone a bit beyond the surface. But I will never reach the core.
There are times where I feel I would benefit from having a team of people to work with me but this is a part of the challenge I agreed to take on.

Outside of the hospital -- I work with motivated and energetic youths. Teaching them how to become confident individuals, to voice their opinion, to volunteer in their community and most importantly how to respect each other. I enjoy working with the student population and it gives me a different insights at things. I helped out with two camp last year and have decided to do the same this year. I may do more but that depends on my hospital schedule. Photos to be provided later.

I am really grateful for those that kept in touch with me throughout my service in KG. I know that you have taken your precious time to write to me, to think about me and most importantly to tell me what has been going on with your own life. Thanks for all the encouragement and support. I know that there are also many that have kept reading my blog as a form of concern... that is why, I enjoy writing so much. I know that I have been missing out on a lot of news. I'm sad that I can't be with you all to celebrate those happy/exciting special occasions or even moments where you're down. But bottomline is... I miss you all. I look forward to the day we can all meet again.

I think back to how different my service would be if my service would be in Africa. I would become the minority. I may possibly live in a hut. Walking miles to get to work and to/from places. I would be learning another language (don't know which, but definitely not Russian). However, I am also glad at the same time that I got to come to Kyrygzstan.

I'm not counting the days that are remaining but... I still have one year to learn more about this country. Till I see all my folks back in America and to celebrate all the occasions that I missed.

Stay tune.