Read posts from alumna Stephanie Maceiras, LAc (’09) as she journeys to Nicaragua to provide community acupuncture.

January 8, 2010
This morning I woke up at a quarter to 6:00 am, had some tea and walked over to the Cafe Infantil, a program that Michael started to provide breakfast for the kids of the community. They wash their hands, brush their teeth, then they get a glass of warm milk, with either an egg or a piece of fruit and then a multivitamin. The children are happy to get together in the morning to do this; it seems they like this little ritual, and I am told that their health has improved because of it.

At a quarter to 8:00, I was at the community center setting up. The building has two levels. We created a waiting area and treatment room on the first level, and a treatment room on the second level. I used straw mats on top of low tables (not massage tables). I had all my equipment and was ready to see people at 8:00 am.

The chief complaints here range from neck and back pain to hemiplegia. My hours are 8 to 11 and 2 to 5. I see about 20 patients a day, one after the other. They have so many questions; it’s time consuming, but it works out well.

I am well received, thankfully, and receive hugs and thanks as payment. I am loving my time here. Patients I saw earlier in the day come back later to tell me that they fell into a deep sleep after their treatment and are feeling better; they want to know when I will return and if they can see me again tomorrow. All my worries from the night before fade away. I can relax.

I went to Roberto's house and had lunch with his family, but had dinner alone

at "Asi es Mi Tierra" because I feel I need time alone to recharge. I tried to read before bedtime, but was distracted by the son of the family who owns this place. The little boy’s name is Luis. He is mischievous, coming up to where I sit, taking my keys and running away with them, Ahha! Then he picks up a plastic bat and begins to clubber a tourist over the head with it!

He is only two years old and he does not speak yet, but he is good at getting into trouble. I find him entertaining. The kids here are pretty much left alone to roam and get into things, there isn't such anxiety and careful attention to what they get into.

Roberto comes to look for me, and reminds me that I have to call home because it is my abuela's birthday and she is turning 101. I use his phone and call her. My dad wakes her up and at first she has no idea who she is speaking to, then when I say “happy birthday” to her she acts surprised, she had forgotten already :)

I ask her how old she is turning and she says 35. She has a good sense of humor. I tell her I will be home in a week and she asks where I am. I guess she forgot that too.

Then it’s time to go to sleep, so I coat myself in bug repellant and slip into bed.