Saturday April 14, 2012
It was one of those days where you
just want to sit under a tree, read a book, or spend time with loved ones. The
weather was absolutely beautiful- sunshine yet windy. That day’s weather
reminded me of Afghanistan, making me feel a bit homesick. It was the day to
enjoy signs of spring as flowers were blooming everywhere and grass was bright
green. Although I was very tempted to have a fun day with friends and family- I
knew better. It was the day I signed up to visit sick patients and their
families at the hospital. I was sleepy and tired as I woke up to get ready for
a day of cooking, baking, driving, serving dinner, and staying long hours at
the hospital. I had to get to Elizabeth Kuncewicz’s house, which was a 45-
minute drive. I think I fell asleep on the wheel a couple of times. Once I
reached her house, I met two other girls who were part of the service project.
I could clearly see that everyone was exhausted and wanted to go back to sleep
since it was 9 in the morning on a Saturday. We greeted each other and got into
Elizabeth’s car to get groceries for the dishes we were going to serve that
day. Let me make this clear now: I do not enjoy grocery shopping nor cooking or
baking. My mom and I always argue over that. Yes, I am a young lady and I
should cook, clean, bake, etc. But I simply do not enjoy it. Yet here I was
grocery shopping and about to cook. Anyways, we reached the store and collected
the items we needed. We split the bill, each of us paying twenty dollars for
the groceries. That was the twenty-dollar bill I had saved for a dress I badly
wanted. We drove back to Elizabeth’s house and immediately started the meal
preparations under the guidance of her mother, Mrs. Kuncewicz, who was very
sweet and patient with us beginners. We baked four different dishes of lasagna,
loafs of bread, and two different types of fresh salad. The drives back and forth, grocery
shopping, preparations, and baking took us about three hours. We rested for a
few hours then we got ready and drove to the hospital, Memorial Hermann, at the
medical center. Of course, we got lost. Unless you work at the medical center,
you will always get lost there. Not to mention we almost got in a wreck. Then
we waited for the hospital staff to bring carts to carry the food inside.
Again, we were lost. We were at the wrong entrance of the hospital and there
was no service so we could not make phone calls. At this point, we were all
having a bad day. We were tired, hungry, thirsty, stressed out about school,
and kept getting lost. Eventually, we found the right entrance. We took the
food inside and met the other volunteers. There weren’t too many volunteers
there that day. We set up the food on the kitchen table. And yes, we all tied
up our hair and wore gloves. Since Ronald McDonald House of Charity was located
upstairs and downstairs, we had to split into groups of two. I went upstairs
with Ruth and set up another table. When we walked in there no one was there.
It was past 5 o’clock and the hallways seemed empty. After a few minutes people
came in.
The first group consisted of three
Hispanic families, adults and children. They sat there quietly, not even looking
at the food. I was surprised. Our food did smell delicious and looked even
better. The strange moment of silence was quite awkward. Time passed by, our
food sat there untouched, and they sat there in silence. I had to break the ice
so I introduced myself and asked them if they wanted some food. The children
their heads “yes” and the adults just smiled. They were not fluent in English.
I served the children and then asked the adults again. They walked to the table
one by one and helped themselves. Ruth and I just looked at each other, knowing
something was wrong. I took a seat nearby and started with the children first.
The two girls told me their names and that they were cousins but more like best
friends. They were very cute. I looked up at the adults; they were still eating
in silence. I desperately wanted to know what was wrong but I knew it was not
right to just ask. They did not know me. I kept talking to the children and
then to some of the adults. One of them knew some English. She translated for
me and told the rest that I was a university student volunteering at the
hospital. She asked me why I was volunteering at the hospital. I told her that
I want to become a doctor one day and being at the hospital was great
experience for me. Also that I love helping others and I like to make new
friends everywhere I go. She smiled and said that is very good. We kept talking
and eventually the others joined us. They all thought I was Hispanic. After
they found out that I am Afghan and came here as a refugee- they were a bit
more interested in me. They had never met an Afghan before. I told them about
Afghanistan and how I wish to go back one day and help those in need, perhaps
build clinics and hospitals. They were very impressed- they kept smiling at me.
I had waited long enough so I asked them what brought them to the Neo-Natal
Internal Care Unit (NICU). They look at each other and then they told me. The
elderly couple’s grandson was born pre-mature and had difficulty breathing. The
infant was their first grandson. I could sense that they were starting to get
emotional as they told me how he kept grabbing the oxygen lines because it was
bothering him but they had to tie his hands on the bedsides to keep him from
touching the lines. The grandma started tearing up. I felt sudden mix of
emotions. I did not know what to do- I was also had tears in my eyes. I walked up
to her and hugged her. She grabbed me tightly and said something in Spanish,
which I did not understand. However, I did let her know that I will pray for
him. I will pray and pray till he gets better. And I told her that if I were a
doctor already, I would go out of my way to make sure he gets well soon. She
kissed my cheek and said thank you. The others also thanked me. I noticed that
their plates were still full; I told them that they had to finish their food
because I made them. They had no choice. They laughed and ate their food. They
were finally talking and eating.
I would have not wanted to be
elsewhere at that second. I felt so good. I felt like I belonged there. I had
not completely wanted to go there at the beginning but there was no better
place for me than that kitchen with some strangers. I did not know their names
or anything else but I knew they needed that support. The fact that there are
people out there who care for each other and pray for each other’s health is
one amazing feeling. And I provided them with that feeling. I felt their pain and sorrow and in
return, I gave them sympathy.
I have realized that in order to
get somewhere in life, one needs good communication skills and a friendly
nature. If I want to become a doctor- those are very important skills. I will
need to approach my patients the right way. I have visited doctors who do not
know how to talk to patients. They just walk in, check up, ask a few questions
here and there, and then leave. People go to doctors when they are at their
worst and they seek help from them. As a doctor, you have to get to know your
patients and create a bond with them. You have to let them that you value their
health and are there to help them feel better. A friendly smile and
conversation would let them feel comfortable and less scared.
Total volunteering hours: 8 (3 for preparing meal and 5 for serving dinner)
-we went to the hospital around 5 and left around 10.
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