La Isla

Our journey today took us to the community of La Isla. One of the greatest challenges of the community is that frequent flooding often isolates them, limiting access to supplies and assistance. La Isla has minimal health care support with its closest Centro de Salud located 20 km away. This potential for isolation leads to concerns for proper prenatal care, in addition to previously reported skin, gastrointestinal, and respiratory issues in children.

We were able to see 50 families, most smaller than those seen earlier in the week. Of particular interest we were able to make connections and converse with 3 community healers. Nurse Jo Ellen, along with Dra. Moncada, were able to discuss and identify treatments the healers have been using for a variety of health conditions including nausea, diabetes, vomiting, gastric issues, and strategies to increase oral intake in children. The information gleaned will be researched for factual accuracy and cross referenced for any potential negative interactions with commonly used medications. One of the healers was open to providing contact information to enhance follow up.

Our hearts were moved in a number of ways by this community. Nurse Angela was particularly touched by a young single mother and 5 year old son who have little to no family support. The young woman shared she lost her mother 20 days earlier, describing her mother as her “best friend”. This loss resonated with Angela and Angela’s relationship with her own mother; she gave the young mother her cross.

Dave met a young adult woman in the community with Down’s syndrome whom he described as the “joy of the day”. “Patsy” shared hugs, found a comfortable chair and enjoyed watching the events of the day. She talked with our team as well as her community members, sharing her joyous smile and laughter, even when getting her blood pressure checked. Dave gave Pasty his cross. The support and love of her community was evident, and reiterated by the posting on the classroom bulletin board educating children in the community on Downs syndrome.

Many of the community members enjoy dressing up for the day, especially the young girls. The clinic was especially touched by a young school age girl, dressed with pigtails, black skirt, and off the shoulder top. She finished up in the clinic and was about to leave when she turned around and ran back in to give everyone a hug… what a joy!

The trip to La Isla was the second visit for teammate Linda, who visited this community back in 2022. Linda shared how wonderful it was to see families she had met in the past, experiencing for herself FOB's ongoing commitment to healthy communities, healthy kids, and healthy Honduras.

We finished at our community earlier than usual. On our trip back to Alfredo house we were surprised with a stop at a place our Honduran staff call “The Beautiful View”, a restaurant over looking Lago de Yojoa. As we enjoyed some ice cream the late afternoon fog lifted, giving us a glimpse of the lake.

Upon our return to Alfredo House, Lidia arranged an additional surprise for the team. we were visited by a young cancer survivor and his wife who have started a coffee business to benefit others battling cancer. They offered an informative talk on the processing of coffee, techniques to improve the essence of coffee for tasting, the impact of altitude on the flavor of coffee and other interesting facts. We closed the talk with taste testing.

We are thankful for the many family’s we have seen and the safe travels we have been grated. It is hard to believe we will visit our final community tomorrow. Thanks to each of you for sharing this journey with us. Wishing you blessings and God’s peace.