Well Hello everyone....long time has passed since Joni on the Go has been updated!  It was a year of no travel after I finished up school!  So, after about 14 months, it was time to GO! ....and going I have been going.....I returned to CasAyuda at the end of June.....two weeks in Honduras and I had the privilege of having a speech therapist (Valerie Lew) come with me!  I have been waiting 9 years to have a speech therapist come, so I was just so happy!

 Lake Yojoa....largest lake in Honduras

Jeffry, one of the students working on an art project

Anyhow....I couldn't post when I was there because we didn't have consistent internet and well, haven't posted until now because I couldn't figure out how to access my blog - a harsh reality of no "going" for a long time!  However, here I am - on a lay over, on the go again!  Back to CasAyuda....the school is doing very well despite many cut backs and very poor economy.  The classrooms (students and staff) are flourishing!  Lenin's class (the one in which I did my doctoral capstone) is just AMAZING - he has the children so engaged, it is really something to see.  I spent the majority of my time this trip working with three of the new staff.  They are all doing well and were very open to suggestions/strategies that will make their jobs better and assist the children at the same time.  Nelly and Nelson (who run the school) are doing well.  Their youngest daughter will be getting married in November.  The are so appreciative of the continued support to the students and staff and will be awaiting my return in March 2014 with Kim and a group of OT students from Misericordia!  

So, with that, I will sign off.....hopefully I can make my way back to my blog portal and update you on a new project!  I am headed to Costa Rica on a mission trip.  My friend and colleague Tia is a program chair at Adventist University of Health Sciences in Orlando....each year the university has a mission trip...well, Tia and I are joining in to see what we can do about having her OT students go down as part of the mission trip, but doing some OT type service (ahhhh...to think that is how it all started in Honduras at CasAyuda!)....So....we are going down to do a needs assessment and see what the future may hold!  So, I will keep you posted....hopefully an update to come sooner rather than later!  

Lenin's new Classroom!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Well... greetings from Honduras! What a great trip this has been once again. I cannot believe it is already Thursday evening. I was visiting with my friend Franklin last night and we were talking about how fast the time goes when I am here….I as telling him, yes, every time! He asked if it was that way when I was in other countries…I don’t think that it is the same.

Anyhow, all is well here. I arrived with no delays and the benefit of an upgrade to first class from Houston to San Pedro Sula. That is a treat. Here’s hoping for the same luck on the way home! Mishelle was at the airport upon my arrival and we did a little shopping in San Pedro Sula. She purchased many toys and such for a store they have in the mall. Also I found a couple of toys for CasAyuda as well as a couple of things to take home for my “OT bag of tricks!”

The drive to Comayagua is always nice. We pass this beautiful lake, Lago Yojoa. It is one of my favorite sites here….we also stopped for fresh pineapple – ahhh…a great snack for the drive. The weather has been just great – HOT though, and I am finally adjusting. Tonight Mishelle’s mom took us to dinner and the restaurant had the air conditioning on….I was SO COLD! We had a brief rainstorm – short lived, and only isolated to our restaurant. On the way home, the roads were dry…it was pretty funny. I was just in the midst of instant messaging some friends via Facebook and POOF the power went out! The students in the school across the street started screaming, it was very funny. It is still off, so I thought it a good opportunity to write.

So, the UPDATE on the school….Lenin’s classroom got changed. At first I thought it was going to be disastrous! I was so worried when Mishelle told me…However, on Monday I was able to see first hand and wow, really nice! It works well – there is more space, the kids have greater distance between the two groups being taught, and there is more air flowing throughout the room. This school year (began in February and goes until December) there are 19 kids in the class (vs. 22 last year). A couple did not return to CasAyuda; several moved to another grade; and there are several new kids.

HIGHLIGHTS from this week so far: The sensory-motor activities in the morning and during the day are working well! A new assistant has started (new to the classroom), replacing one assistant last year that was not so helpful. There is less (still quite a bit) disruptive behavior in the class and many (most) of the kids I can see improvements! One of my favorite highlights…yesterday…one of the girls in the class (Michell), who I have seen each year that I have been here (pretty sure she has autism) said my name! AND she gave me a hug. She is talking more this year (preivous years she hardly spoke!) – and she is following the routine, eating her snack, and is learning how to wash her shirt (a laundry lesson). It is just great!

Other good things….Mishelle and her mom are well….I have gotten to visit with Mishelle’s Aunt Elena, visited her Uncle Carlos who works/runs a nursery/farm that grows orchids…also has mango trees, papaya trees, guava trees, chives, ad some other Asian fruits that I have to look for the translations…, Sunday mass at the cathedral; and I have seen my friend Franklin (and tomorrow will see his sister Wendy). Saturday we will head back to San Pedro Sula as Mishelle and I both fly back to the US on Sunday morning...Wish me luck finishing up...will try and write again...

Hasta luego!

Okay, well, good morning from Houston....the last time I wrote a post and then wasn't able to get online...so, there it has been sitting on my desktop....so, since I am on my way to Honduras....returning to finish up my OTD Capstone (graduation is around the corner!), I will post what I wrote last August to get you back in the swing...Lots going on between now and May! Thanks for following along and hopefully I can update you while on this trip! Talk to you soon....joni

August 20, 2011

Buenos dias, mis amigos! Well, it has been a week and I am just getting to write some things down! It has been a great week with good observations in the classroom at CasAyuda for my project. By Wednesday I was done with my information gathering and was able to start helping with the kids in the classroom. Lenin’s classroom has 21 children, two assistants and himself. The children range from 3 years to teenager and varying disabilities – Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, deafness, and assorted other learning disabilities (no specific diagnosis). Things have changed for the better since March and it is very apparent that he has incorporated things from the in-service day, which has been a benefit to the overall functioning of his classroom. It is so good to see.

On the flip side, Mishelle and her mom are great. I am very fortunate to be staying at their house, which happens to be just around the corner from CasAyuda. So our days start at 6 a.m., with about a two mile walk around the boulevard, followed by breakfast, then to work between 7:30 and 8:00….usually closer to 8:00. Lenin’s class gets out at 11:00 and the kids are usually all picked up by 11:20 or so…then I help clean the classroom and on most days have lunch at CasAyuda. Mishelle had told Daphne, the cook that I had been working on eating better, etc., so each day for my snack they give me fresh fruit, and check in with me “if I can eat” what they are making for lunch. Very nice of them!

After lunch Mishelle usually rests for a bit (I am in siesta country) but let me tell you, with this heat, I know why! Let’s just say I can tell I haven’t been in Honduras in August for the past couple of years! It is Sooooooo HOT! The other night when I was going to bed (which by the way is often by 10p.m. – if you can believe that!) it was 92˚ in my room! I have managed to balance the sun/sunscreen and happy to report no sunburns! Anyhow, then we run errands (which is no quick task here in Honduras) and go to the mall where she has a kiosk. I have sometimes been lucky with the wireless at the mall, but again yesterday I could NOT figure out how to get it to connect – maybe my Mac is just fussy! At night it varies, it is usually low-key. We have worked on translating my interview questions for Lenin, and we are also doing the same two-mile walk in the evenings – really trying to keep moving and not put on a bunch of weight while I am here! We can now both feel it with all the walking, which I take as a good sign.

I have been able to see Wendy (and her 3 kids), Valesca (and her two kids), Franklin, (and his son) – all of which I have known for 20 years now, since my first trip here! They all lived at the orphanage (siblings – there are 5 of them!) – I am closest to Wendy and Franklin, and always grateful to be able to spend time with them! Wendy and Valesca (and all of the kids) came over for dinner last weekend (or maybe Monday?) – wat a fun time!

No big plans this weekend. We were going to take a road trip, but with the impending tropical storm Harvey, we decided not to and will stay close to home. I of course have plenty to do with PTN work, CSUDH work, and upcoming school work – so, no shortage with things to do.

I am grateful to friends and family at home who so willingly watch my Winston and Minina – without them, such trips would not be possible! With that, I will sign off and hopefully be able to post this! Hope everyone is doing well! Hasta luego!

New country...new school...

Hello! Sorry for the delay in writing - things have been busy (but not crazy) with my schedule. Today I finished up two days of training at a small school in Marianske Lazne', Czech Republic.

It is beautiful here. The weather is typical spring, chilly, sunny, rainy, sunny, etc. The climate reminds me of Michigan - the landscape, which I saw more of today on an afternoon outing, definitely reminds me of Michigan - the daffodils, crocus, and hyacinths have bloomed…tulips are thinking about blooming and the leaves on the trees are about to pop!

The school is great - there are about 7 classrooms and they are divided both by age and ability. They have 3 "levels" for how they classify the child's needs and determine which classroom and program is best for him/her. I am not sure if it is private or public. I do know that there was some sort of inspection going on when I arrived (and until yesterday) - in which I of course became part of the observation/inspection - I think good timing in some ways to have "a specialist" there to provide a training opportunity for their staff. Tomorrow I will spend 1/2 day with the classroom assistants providing them with more activity ideas and "hands on" things they can do to incorporate more activities outside of the classroom in the "relaxation room" - which from the therapist perspective looks as if it would be a great therapy room! But really, looking at activities that will expand the "skill building" from the tabletop activities to more whole body/motor planning type activities. Should be good....good fun that is....

The other thing about the school, which was also the case when I was in St. Petersburg, is that a lot of what OT does in the US, the teachers here do as their normal everyday classroom activities - for example, working with clay, ceramics, etc...making arts and crafts (new OT activities for me!!!) using multi-media, etc. It makes it somewhat difficult to add to that....but I have tried to stress the importance of intrinsic motivation vs. rote skill building - doing a task to do it, over and over again (e.g., stacking blocks).

The family I am staying with has been just great and my free has been filled with relaxing activities, good food, good sight seeing, and good company. I can't upload any photos now, as the internet connection is quite slow (almost as slow as Ethiopia!) - but I will try to do it when I get to Philadelphia. Will try to post again as the week comes closer to an end! Hope everyone is doing well!

What? A real vacation? What is that?

Getting ready for our canopy tour (on suspended bridges) in the rain forrest!

Well, after many years, I actually took a real vacation, albeit only three days...but let me tell you, we had some fun in three days! Costa Rica was our destination. Kim, Veronica, and I flew from Honduras and Carlos flew in from Nicaragua - we had a great time....we headed to the volcano area, a 3.5 hour drive up this winding, ever turning road (thanks for driving, Carlos)....how Kim and Veronica fell asleep I will never know - maybe it was to prevent becoming car sick! The road was crazy! I understand two things: 1) what they mean by the cloud area - we were literally driving in the clouds....and 2) why it is recommended not to drive after dark!

Our hotel was fantastic - the Hotel Royal Corin in La Fortuna....

We stayed here, at the Royal Corin, the pools were all fed from water (hot) from the volcano. Some were so hot we couldn't even get in! The pool was complete with swim up bar, which of course we had to try out prior to trekking through the rain forrest....though I may rethink the order of events on my next trip!

Peering into the hole of a tarantula! Yikes! It was fun until he moved!

So, we signed up for a canopy tour - the rain forrest was beautiful! We saw tarantulas, a sloth, and a viper! We had a great guide Alan who was very patient with our picture taking and ooh-ing and aaahhhh-ing.

It was so green and all of the sudden there would be this contrast of colors....

After our tour, we packed up and headed back to San Jose. Stayed at another great place (though it took us an hour driving around the city to find it- even with asking multiple "locals", who all sent us in a different direction!) - and relaxed....Kim and Veronica left at the crack of dawn the next morning and Carlos and I stayed one more day - relaxing, catching up on work and school, and just hanging out.

Then....back to work....but not for long....next stop, Czech Republic to do some training on sensory integration at a school and some case consults....stand by for that trip, as I am on my way now, headed to Munich then a car ride to the Czech......until next time......

Honduras here and gone.....

Joan and Kim with Nelly (in the middle) - the founder (along with her husband Nelson) of CasAyuda.....they keep this school going, along with the amazing staff!

Well, I have managed to re-gain my memory, which enabled me to regain access to Joni on the GO! - I tried to add some updates while on my last trip but could not get to the right place to sign in, nor did I have my correct access/password etc! So, what have you missed? Well, trips of late consisted mostly of round trips to Pennsylvania for school! However, the much anticipated return to CasAyuda, the school in Comayagua, Honduras rapidly approached, and sadly has now come and gone. The good news is it was a FANTASTIC trip on multiple levels.....

This trip included five OT students from Misericordia University (MU), 4 master's students and one doctoral student. We had a good, cohesive group. The class was taught by myself and my partner in crime, or should I say disaster, Kim. I (we) are happy to report, no political unrest (including coups, election recounts, riots, fires, etc.) on this trip. Additionally, Veronica Olicon, our clinic assistant at PTN donated her time to be one of our translators. This was great - not just to have an additional translator, but having her along on the trip was an added bonus! Of course the trip wouldn't be complete without our "in country coordinator" and dear friend, Mishelle - native of Honduras who ensures that all is smooth sailing (with or without a coup!).

Our students along with Mishelle and Veronica....Kim and I are conveniently missing!

We arrived in Honduras on a Saturday and made our way to Comayagua, about 1.5 hours from the capital city of Tegucigalpa. The weather was perfect, warm, sunny, and blue, blue skies! We got settled in, dinner, etc. Sunday was a day of fun and sight seeing. We made our way out and to the waterfall, to El Rosario (a very small town/village); stopped in on a Bible study for some cute kiddos and provided them with a drink and snack and went on our way. The landscape is different in March then my usual August visit - different flowers and trees blooming, drier, and dustier.

Monday we arrived at CasAyuda to find the staff and kids happy and healthy and we were welcomed with open arms. The fun began - observations, teacher interviews, all so we could plan our interventions based on their needs, add additional information to our presentations (chosen by the staff) that was specific to the site, a student, and culturally appropriate. The MU students jumped right in and away we went....So, the week went on with observing and helping in the classrooms and in the afternoons we saw kids from the community. This year was a little different, and to make a long story short, someone else did the scheduling (not Mishelle) - which included advertising on the radio that "therapists were here" - needless to say, our team of OT's ready to treat pediatric clients had 78 year old men with sciatica showing up....not such a good match....it all worked out. One afternoon though, we saw 13 kids in 4.5 hours! It was crazy. We had two groups running clients through. We all slept well that night. On the Friday, we gave an all day inservice with topics chosen by the staff. We had some community people come as well, so all in all, a great day. The staff is so willing to participate in the learning activities, treatment activities and if I had 1/2 of that participation when I was presenting in the States I would be happy. I love their enthusiasm and willingness to "do."

OT time....

I am always so happy to see the continual growth at the school with the staff and the children. I am continually impressed at their dedication, their willingness to provide with limited resources and the amount of progress that I see! This was my 7th year at CasAyuda and I am so blessed to be a part of that school. It is definitely a give and take; they learn from us, we learn from them. I wouldn't have it any other way. I wait for the day when I can spend more than 1-2 weeks at a time....

So, our time was short. We had hoped for two weeks, but the university gave us one. I think next year I will stay the second week after the students leave. There is just not enough time in the week to implement what you have identified and started to formulate a plan - so, that is my plan for next time.

All that started well ended well...friendships revisited, new strategies learned, and many more memories made...the usual tears were shed, though this time I was not alone in this department!

sheep....