following our tour in early January.
As the director of the program, I found that my days were filled to the brim with responsibilities to help things run smoothly. As a result, I wasn’t able to keep this blog updated as I had hoped. However, there were so many wonderful moments in the past weeks which deserve a full review, that I intend to spend the next few days revisiting them. I invite you to travel back in time with us as we remember the great moments of the program!
Borgess Medical Center
One of my first ideas for the Samoan Youth Empowerment Initiative was for the boys to visit Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. Borgess is one of our countries outstanding Catholic hospitals, with the latest innovative technology at its fingertips. I wanted the boys to be challenged to think of careers that might seem impossible to them, but with an introduction to that career, might light a spark in one of them and help them to aim for a really big dream.
I was in touch with Borgess through my cousin who works there and then was put in touch with Mary, the Director of Spiritual Care. We met Mary in early January and discovered she had arranged her afternoon schedule to lead us on a personal tour throughout the complex. She had also gone so far as contacting the different department heads from the hospital and had arranged for each of them to meet the boys and give information and tours about their individual departments.
Our day included meeting with the VP of Medical Affairs, the Marketing Director, Radiology Manager/Director (CAT Scan/MRI/Ultrasound), ER Director and a tour of the emergency room, Critical Care Director and tour, followed by a tour of the OB.
The boys had a chance to see so much of the great technology that is available in the field of medicine. They were able to see how studying math and science in school can be applied to a job. All of the doctors and nurses who we met with gave inspiring words to the boys.
One of the highlights was when they each got to role-play and be a “patient” in the ER. Saulo had his oxygen level taken, Milo had his heart rate taken and Neueli his blood pressure.
The entire day was organized so well and every department was so generous with their time and in talking to the boys about the importance of health care. Milo, Saulo and Neueli may not have left wanting to be doctors, although it may have peaked their interest. However, the important lesson learned is that the things they study in school can be applied to important jobs in their futures and that careers of doctors and nurses require a lot of hard work, yet can be so rewarding.
Standing in front of the latest technology!
A new friend they made.
Saulo getting his oxygen level taken...it was perfect!
Milo was sweating a bit after being hooked up to the monitors, but still had a good heart rate!
Neueli's blood pressure was right on too!
Since only one of the boys was born in a hospital, visiting the OB floor was a must see.
Sledding
Winter in Michigan use to mean plenty of snow, but last year and this year have been an exception. That’s why when we got about 4 inches of snow a couple days after Christmas, I didn’t wait a minute before I was at the store buying inner tubes and bundling the guys up to take them for their first sledding experience. My sister Jenny was still in Michigan for the holidays and so we took Saulo, Milo and Neueli over to the Klinger Lake Golf Course to where we had always gone sledding when we were kids. After arriving the guys ran ahead of Jenny and I and before long were clearing paths through the snow. It was a great experience to see kids sledding for the first time in their lives!
Jenny and the boys.
Fast as lightning!
Neueli keeping warm despite the snow flying.
Saulo coming down on the sled.
Milo sled the farthest once reaching the bottom of the hill.
A great afternoon!
Golfing
On New Year's Eve we headed up to Schoolcraft, Michigan to let Milo, Saulo and Neueli swing a golf club for the first time. Since golfing outside in Michigan in the winter is normally not easy to do, we headed for an indoor golf dome which was a perfect chance to work on our swings. The guys enjoyed the 1 hour we sent there and were actually hitting their balls better than me (and I use to play on my high school golf team). Even Milo asked how that was possible? Saulo got so into it that he broke the head off of my 3 iron on one of his swings!
Neueli showing off his form.
Good follow-through Milo!
Luckily the ball retriever spoted the head from my 3 iron and brought it back. Saulo took the fact that he had broken it as a sign of his strength!
Welcome 2013!!
New Year’s Eve found us at the home of our dear friends from church, Will and Donna Beachy! They hosted an open house event where friends from church were invited to come over and meet Saulo, Milo and Neueli while also helping to ring in the New Year!
It was a great night with lots of great food, company and even music and dance! After the boys each spoke about themselves and their lives back in Samoa, they were asked to perform a traditional Samoan dance. Will and Donna went in search of a box and some spoons to use as a drum and then the boys performed right there in the living room for all those at the party. They sang the Samoan National Anthem and then Will and Donna passed out Christmas music which we all sang along to.
At midnight the boys got to see how New York celebrates a new year and how confetti falling from high rises can look like a snow storm. We went outside shortly after where Will set off some fireworks that had been brought by a guest.
It was a great night to celebrate the end of a memorable 2012 and the start of 2013!
Great food and Saulo loved it all!
Here the boys and I are with Will, Donna and Fr. German from my church in Michigan. We were also blessed to have Fr. Rob with us at the party.
A nice spread!
Thanks to all who stopped by!
Will and Donna's gift to the boys.
Happy New Year!!
Watching coverage from New York.
No comments:
Post a Comment