Giving More than Medical Care in Micronesia

In Micronesia, Project HOPE volunteers experienced another rewarding day as some worked at medical sites, some gave back by reading to children and I received a surprising honor for my work documenting Project HOPE volunteers and others working on Pacific Partnership 2011.

Volunteer Dr. Alan Jamison spent the day working at the main medical site in Pohnpei, treating patients and working alongside local medical professionals and international doctors and nurses. “It was a really great day,” Dr. Jamison says. “I was able to work with some of the host nation medical team, and met some of the Japanese doctors and nurses. I enjoyed talking to them, learning about the culture.”

At the medical site, Dr. Jamison learned about the state run immunization clinic. “The government is very active with the medical care of the local people and organizes buses to pick up people to bring them to the medical clinic,” he says. “They also keep thorough immunization records and will in some cases make house calls.”

Anina Terry and Hanna Taylor spent the day volunteering for a community service outreach program, reading books to children from grades one to four.

“It was really fun, we helped them pick out books, and with help from some Peace Corp volunteers we read to the children,” says Terry. “One cool thing about kids is that no matter what culture, they want to play and read.”

“It was great picking out stories from my childhood, and seeing the excitement on the children’s faces while we were reading,” adds Taylor.

Leaving with a really good experience, both Project HOPE volunteers felt that they too experienced one of their best days on this four month mission.

As for myself, I was surprised at the end of the day when I was honored with a unite coin by Army Reserve Maj. Gen. Lie-Ping Chang, for some of my efforts to not just document Project HOPE but those of all services for Pacific Partnership 2011. This was a truly honoring experience and it really makes me want to keep working harder to continue providing quality material and photos to document to the efforts that everyone is putting forth to make a better tomorrow.

Photos for today’s blog provided by Mass Communications 2nd Class Michael Russell, Airmen 1st Class Haleigh Greer and by Mass Communications 1st Class Eli Medellin.