Amy Koester

      The first day we spent in Grenada, walking from home to home in St. Marks was probably the most shocking of all the days on this trip. Many of the houses we entered into were little more than shacks, but everyone appeared content. By US standards these individuals would be considered very impoverished, but the way they comported themselves and interacted with others made them appear perfectly satisfied with their situation in life. This contentment is so different than the greed, consumerism and perpetual dissatisfaction of the culture in the US.  It was extremely refreshing to witness the determined happiness of the Grenadian people and it made returning to the US more difficult. It was also a potent reminder of how privileged and blessed I am living in the US with nearly unlimited access to education, healthcare and opportunity.

      The time spent shadowing nurses in the hospital was also very shocking. I realized just how much I take for granted. The nurses in Grenada compared to the US have very little resources. I was very taken aback watching nurses go patient to patient with the same pair of gloves on, or assess a patient without gloves. I constantly found myself reaching for hand sanitizer and there was none. The medicine cabinet in the hospital was just that, a cabinet, with medicine seemingly haphazardly piled on the shelves. Compared to the sterile, perfectly organized and streamlined hospitals I spend my time in in Gainesville, St, George's hospital was almost like stepping back in time. I do not want to suggest though, that the lack of resources is a reflection on the quality of the nurses at St. George's. These woman were incredible at their job. I was shocked that they new each of their patients so intimately. They were wonderful examples of caring and hardworking nurses.

       The patients themselves were also surprising. They did not treat the nurses like waitresses or maids, but were very respectful and appreciative of everything that was done for them. Due to the lack of call bells, the ward was much quieter and seemingly much more tranquil than the hospitals in Gainesville. The disparity between the healthcare available in the US and in Grenada is stark. Hearing stories about individuals who had to leave the country to seek treatment, or who just could not receive treatment because of their situation was heartbreaking and is a potent reminder to me to be grateful for how truly lucky I am to have the access that I do. 

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