Day 8

January 7, 2020

Day 8: Hillside Clinic Treatments & Tour

We started off our Tuesday with a delicious home-cooked breakfast at the Sea Front Inn! Afterwards, we made our way to the Hillside Clinic to do some speech and language treatments.

One client, Moses, really stood out and got the attention of everybody! This superstar was singing and dancing and put on a show for all of us – it really brought so much joy to us all seeing him having such a great time! We were fortunate enough to get to speak with his parents after about their perspective of the Students for Global Communication and Therapy Abroad. His father described what it was like having a child with special needs and, while it can be challenging at times, it is also fun. He says that he still sees Moses as a “normal kid”. His mother went on to describe the impact our cause is making in Belize such as providing services to those with less resources and bringing people together. They stated that these evaluation and treatment camps are really bringing people and families together and essentially forming a support group. To see other people going through similar situations, being able to relate to one another, and just knowing that they weren’t alone was a great thing. They expanded by saying that it was a blessing to have people who care and are willing to sacrifice time, money, energy, and knowledge to provide such services. Honestly, hearing them say all of those kind words really reinforced why we do what we do!

After the treatment sessions, Kristine and Nadine, a nurse and a rehab director at the Hillside Clinic, took us on an informational tour of the clinic. As of this year, the clinic has provided 20 years of service in Toledo. They provide medical care in the clinic, mobile clinics to about 14 villages, physical therapy, home health, public health, and have a pharmacy for their clients. The clinic serves as a teaching site for global health students and even houses up to 17 students on-site! The clinic provides free services, but they do accept donations as most of their funding comes from student tuition, grants, and donations.

Upon leaving the Hillside Clinic, our group stopped at Cotton Tree Chocolate, otherwise known as the chocolate center of the universe. Walking in, we were hit with the sweet smell of chocolate! We were able to see the chocolate being made from behind a glass window. Needless to say, many of us left with goodies to fulfill our chocolate cravings.

We headed back to the Sea Front Inn for some report writing and an amazing dinner that really, really hit the spot! Our stay here has been great so far! The meals are always delicious and the staff are really making this stay feel as welcome and comfortable as possible!

-Lillian Vasquez-

P.S. Check out Moses on Instagram @mosesmovesmountains and also check out the song his father wrote for him on Spotify! <https://open.spotify.com/track/4eqT4FijAhDIiH4CtIbn4F?si>