Week 16 and 17: Community and Nature

During the past couple of weeks I was given the opportunity to present as a healthcare professional at a local primary school. My local friend Tan is a teacher at Victorious Nazarene School in San Jose Succotz, Belize. For my presentation, I presented on healthy eating habits. During my time in Belize, I have learned that type 2 diabetes majorly affects communities here due to their eating habits. Although public healthcare does provide insulin when supplies is available, many that reside in Belize do not believe in modern medicine. Herbal medicine is not only abundant in the tropics, but it is also widely used throughout the community.

Throughout my presentation, I explained to students my current field of practice as a neurodiagnostic technologist at HCA’s Tristar Centennial and Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville, TN, USA. I shared with them in regard to my studies in Neuroscience at Belmont University and my aspirations to become a physician in the future. They all brought nutrition labels and drawings of their favorite foods and snacks. One by one we were able to classify all of their favorite foods into groups and determine just how much of each we should be eating.

One of my favorite moments during my presentation was playing a sugar guessing game with the students. Every time I told them the grams of sugar each food contained they all gasped in response! They were all grateful to learn about the “Healthy Plate Rule” which is half vegetables and fruit, a quarter protein, and another quarter carbohydrates.

Connecting with community, especially of younger generations and sharing about my life back home and my work was very eye opening to both them and I as there are many doors open for their future endeavors and impacting their community.

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Another moment I shared the past couple of weeks, was seeing more of nature in Belize during my off days. Belize’s beauty rests in the nature all around it. From Mayan ruins, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls. The major economy in Belize is built from tourism attracted by these natural forms. However, when you are a local, all you need are good friends and a vehicle to reach these places and cherish the beauties of this country. Thankfully, I was able to see a few of the country’s natural forms.

The Pine Ridge Forest reserve is one of the most notable locations for waterfalls in Belize, although the waterfall may seem like our journey to it was planned and perfect, we had to hike down rocks to reach it! It is definitely an experience to explore places that aren’t specifically catered to the normal “tourist” and there is an added layer of beauty to it.

During my time in Belize, I was regarded to as being a local. After my stay reached the one month mark everyone acknowledged me as being a local since it was a prolonged stay which was not only thoughtful, but heartwarming.