Another Truckload from Gigante

   Another truckload of children arrived from Gigante today.  Bo Fox reports that this fishing village is home to about 500 individuals of which 31% are children, according to a recent census conducted by Project Wave of Opportunity.  Over the last two days, we therefore saw about a quarter of the children. 

   None of the children were sick today and I mostly did well child checkups and answered the same kind of questions that many Canadian Mom’s might ask.  Many asked for a vitamin or tonic to stimulate appetite and I responded with nutrition advice.
   Most of the children were "dressed up" for the visit to the Canadian doctor.  Bo reports that they are mostly shoeless and wear only shorts and a T-shirt at home, but for the trip to the doctor they had pants or dresses, and shoes and socks.  

   Bo reports that today I saw the poorest families in the community. Apparently about twenty individuals live together in a communal arrangement in a home made of large pieces of plastic. The children were all well cared for, their teeth were not full of cavities, and they were happy and playful with their peers. By and large the Nicaraguan children were all very well behaved in the clinic. Karen reports that when they were playing outside they were more rambunctious and mischievous. Karen made sure the children had fun while they waited. 

   The team of Kate and Sian from Bristol, England, Bo Fox from the US, and Karen and I from Canada moved faster today.  Kate and Sian took the histories, I did the exams, Karen distracted the children, and Kate and Bo interpreted the treatment recommendations.  Bo and Kate  

                                                         Bo and Sian

                                              Kate with a happy little girl 
   We enjoyed dinner with Kate and Sian, to celebrate their last night in the area.  Tomorrow the will travel to Leon to enjoy the Samanta Sana festivities.  We had dinner at Yolanda's a local restaurant.  Yolanda greeted us like family when we walked in. She had a big smile and hug and we felt very welcome.  We had plantain chips, which were salted, and seem to be a local equivalent of the potato chip.  Large portion meals with fish or chicken, beans, rice, salad, and four Tona, the local beer, all for only $28.
   Bo Fox is an amazing fellow. He was full of energy, enthusiasm, and ideas.  I'm not sure how long he has been in Gigante, but he has clearly woven himself into the fabric of the community. His relationship with the mothers and children looked like family.  He sure made a difference for us. Thank you Bo!