Aftermath Feelings and Thoughts!

As the March 2012 Brigade pulled to an end, the MedlifeMcGill Brigade returned home to Montreal. Tired but Satisfied, all they wish for is to share their emotions and stories with family and friends. Here is what some had to say!

A recap some of the students’ favorite moments from their week with MEDLIFE. From heart-warming moments to chuckle-worthy memories, here’s what some students had to say

“My most moving moment was during my afternoon dentist rotation at Manchay on the fourth day. Claudio and his team of eager, but sleep-deprived helpers were operating on a 9 year old boy named Ronald. I had previously met him at the toothbrushing station in the morning and he was among the very few with rows of clean teeth. The reason that he was also at the dentist was because he had a fang jutting out above the gumline. In North America, this problem would be ameliorated with braces, but here, in the slums of Manchay, one does not have the time or the resources for visits to the orthodontist. The more straightforward solution was to simply yank the fang out. As the anesthesia was applied, Ronald shifted uneasily in his chair. Claudio told us to hold onto his hands to prevent him from trashing around during the operation. I gave him my hand for support and felt a tight grasp as Claudio forcibly broke the fang into pieces and removed them. I remembered my operation when I got my premolars removed, during which I cried like a baby. I was 12. Ronald, this 9 year old boy from Manchay, shed not a single tear or even complained. This moment really stuck with me because it is a reminder that our problems pale in comparison with theirs. We complain about our internet speed in rez; they risk their lives to obtain electricity. We howl in agony after we get our braces tightened; they are grateful to even have a visit from the dentist. The Peruvians really do live in a completely different world from ours, and it was only living and experiencing this world first hand these last 5 days that I have been able to fully realize that. I will never forget the Peruvians’ hardships and appreciation, as well as Ronald’s bravery. Thank you Medlife Brigade ’12 for showing me this :)”

– Dantong Jia

“This may not be my favourite memory from this trip but definitely one of the funniest. I was helping at the toothbrushing station on Day 2, and trying my best to communicate with the children and parents in Spanish. I had asked someone for help on how to say “return the cups” and was told it was “devuelve el vaso”. The only problem was, I misheard it to be “devuelve el beso” which means “return the kisses”! No wonder all the parents and children snickered every time I said it. I, of course, did not find out til hours later the silly mistake I was making.”

– Taiji Wang

“First, some background in Spanish. “Me llamo” = “My name is”. “Te amo” = “I love you” at the highest level of love, for your significant other for example.Someone (whom I will let introduce themselves) wasn’t quite pronouncing the “y” sound in “llamo”, so it came out as “me amo [name]”, which means “I love myself (a lot), [name]”. Not quite what was intended :)”