Alumni Blog! Check out what Trevor has been up!

Trevor's Global Links Blog: 

For five and a half weeks in August and September, Global Links' HealthCorps Member, Trevor Cutlip, traveled with Program Officer Karina Zelaya, in Nicaragua and Bolivia, visiting hospitals, clinics, and maternal homes in our program.

Reading his take on the impact of our programs and the work of our volunteers reminds us that our mission continues to have a real impact on the health of neighbors near and far.

Dear friends at Global Links,

I was encouraged to share my thoughts, ideas, and experiences with you during my trip.  However, my brain is being stubborn and refuses to learn Spanish.  Therefore, most of the time I am only guessing at what is being discussed and have been afraid to send any concrete thoughts without being certain of the details.  That being said, I have realized two important things about Global Links and I would like to share these realizations with you.  (P.S. I'm having a blast, learning a lot, and can't wait to see you all again soon)

For my first two weeks in Nicaragua, I was able to witness just how much effort the community and government puts into Global Link's programs.  The Pan American Health Organization in Nicaragua provided us with a car, a driver, and one of their doctors travelled with us for support.  Furthermore, at each health facility, we were given support by a member of the Ministry of Health, and, often, the local government helps us with the shipping costs of the supplies.  My first realization is for our volunteers.  To those of you who do all of the meticulous date checking, size sorting, and bagging.  To those of you who engage in the ever frustrating box-hunt.  Every little meticulous thing you do, really does matter, a lot.  These countries are investing time, energy, and even money into our supplies, and if what we send is not of high quality, well then that would have been wasted time, energy, and money.  I do not mean to put you under any pressure, because there is a simple truth.  We have existed for 26 years, and these countries are investing so much in us, because for 26 years you have all done an incredible job and because of that, my admiration and gratitude continues to grow for each and every one of you.

My second realization came when I first visited a hospital that we would be sending supplies to.  I was amazed.  Not because of the poor condition of the hospital, but rather, I was amazed with the people working there.  No matter the condition of their hospital or inventory, they held extremely high standards for themselves...personally, and as a team.  There IS life before Global Links and though this seems obvious, I had never realized it before.  Without Global Links, these health facillities would still exist.

This may initially seem like a stark realization.  I always thought we were the end-all and be-all for these health facillities.  We aren't.  And this "stark" realization could not make me any happier.  Because, when you look deeper, we are not the end-all and be-all, but rather a part of a national program that looks not only to help one person or one hospital, but to change the health numbers for an entire country.  We are trying to resolve infant mortality, provide nutrition, and education...working within a national program allows us to help where it is most needed and where we are most capable.  This then frees resources for the nation to use in areas that are not our specialty.

My realization is that we aren't alone in our mission.  The community is on our side.  The Pan American Health Organization.  The partner nation government.  This does not reduce our individual impact, but instead greatly magnifies our capacity to generate change.  Real, sustainable change.  I've seen the numbers.  I've seen the smiles.  And though it is not only thanks to us, it is ALSO thanks to us.  Be proud.  Not of Global Links, but of your coworkers, and friends, and of your fellow volunteers.  More importantly, be proud of yourself, for you are what makes Global Links who we are.

Be well and see you soon,

cheers,

Trevor