Planning my trip to Roatan in Honduras

As soon as the snow starts to stick to the ground in western Canada, so many of us that love the beaches and beautiful waters of the Caribbean start thinking about winter travel. In the fall of 2012 I was planning a trip with a friend to Roatan, Honduras.  I had been to Roatan twice and enjoyed my time there immensely. This was a perfect opportunity for me to introduce her to something I loved.

I did not want to stay in a resort as I wanted to experience everyday life on the island as a traveler. As the planning progressed my friend became worried about crime on the island and, unfortunately, backed out of our trip. The idea of traveling alone had me thinking that I might need a purpose to keep myself occupied, other than diving and snorkeling. Following various internet links for Spanish language school, somehow I found the Clinica Esperanza Roatan website. The information on the website informed me of the need for people to bring medicines so I emailed to ask what the priority meds were. I also mentioned that I would be interested in volunteering, thinking that painting was somewhere in my skill set. I also thought I might be of benefit to the lab, since I had a medical laboratory background, .

Ms. Peggy’s reply!

Peggy Stranges, the clinic’s founder reponded rapidly to my inquiry. I received a reply within minutes that there had been a laboratory technologist from the United States working at the clinic who had returned home in the last 60 days. That left them without support in the lab. She wanted to know if I would be able to come and volunteer at the clinic for……a year!

Quickly and easily I had to reply “no”, that wasn’t possible, but I also felt there was an opportunity for me to do something more than a 10-day vacation. I was working for a major medical laboratory in a large city in western Canada and had a nice allotment of paid vacation each year. With permission, I was able to group two years of vacation back to back and was prepared to come to work in Roatan at the clinic for 12 weeks in the spring of 2013. All of this transpired within 3 weeks! I was in shock but also giddy with excitement at the adventure I was about to undertake.

Preparing for my trip!

I had been a practicing bench technologist in my early career. The last 20 years I had been in a supervisory and management role. I knew absolutely nothing about the lab in the clinic, what kind of equipment they had, nor how sophisticated their methods were. I began the task to familiarize myself with knowledge and techniques I had learned during my training.

The clinic had arranged accommodations for me during my stay, within walking distance of the clinic, and everything was falling into place so well. Eight weeks later, equipped with everything I thought I would need physically and mentally to live 12 weeks in Roatan and work in the laboratory there, I boarded a plane and set off on one of the most rewarding adventures of my life.

My stay in Roatan

The first leg of my trip involved sleeping overnight on a bench in the Toronto Airport. I had missed my flight due to an unexpected foul-up in customs there. I then flew to San Salvador and spent an unplanned night at a hotel close to their airport. This was a very “interesting and somewhat scary experience for my first solo journey considering my limited Spanish skills.  After 48 hours in intense, high alert travel mode, I was relieved to finally reach my destination. It was also very happy feeling to see that my luggage had arrived with me!

Peggy greeted me at the airport upon my arrival in Roatan. She whisked me off in a flurry of activity, as she does, assuming that you know more than you actually do about everything going on around you. During this 30 minute trip, she told me she had successfully hired a part-time lab technologist for the clinic who had a second job working in the local hospital. I have to admit it was a surprise but also a relief. I don’t think she nor I appreciated what a fortuitous arrangement that was. Even now, 8 years later, Suyapa continues to work in the laboratory part-time and is the one constant steady reliable force – and my lab liaison.

Medical Volunteer in Honduras

My job, working in the lab, was the afternoon shift. Suyapa worked mornings then went off to her second job at the hospital. Her days were often 14 hours long, plus travel time. This is what many Hondurans do to survive, support family, and perhaps have the luxury of an automobile. She had been at Clinica Esperanza for a couple of weeks and had a good handle on how everything worked when I arrived . She graciously trained me to do just about everything. I brought to the table quality control procedures, computer skills, and some organizational ability. She spoke limited English at the time and I spoke limited Spanish. To this day, we entertain each other with Spanglish.

The laboratory at Clinica Esperanza offers a great basic menu of hematology, chemistry, and serological tests. The lab work is done well. Lab tests support decisions on diagnosis and treatment for many patients. Suppliers of equipment, reagents and consumables are located in both the US and on the Honduran mainland. During those quiet afternoon shifts, I was able to standardize where we purchased supplies and who the best providers were for quality, availability and economic consideration. A large portion of the laboratory supplies comes from the US and the clinic is reliant on travelers who want to add Roatan mission donations to their vacation or travel plans. There is no mail or courier delivery. Items can be shipped in by boat or air but their arrival is tenuous unless accompanied by a traveller who takes responsibility for their safe arrival.

Returning as an international medical volunteer in Roatan

The 12 weeks I spent in Roatan was an amazing experience and adventure that I will never top in my lifetime. I was able to work and live by the ocean while contributing to a much needed medical service with my new extended clinic family. This was priceless. I became a Roatan inhabitant, a temporary resident.  Improving my Spanish was certainly part of my experience among the locals – expats or Honduran. My days were the perfect mix of useless and usefulness.

In the eight years since, I have been back six times. Though never again for 12 weeks but the lab is functioning well. I have a great relationship with the staff and am able to support them from my home in Canada.

Clinica Esperanza Roatan has become my second home. The people I met there and continue to work with are my second family. I am so very grateful for the opportunity – what an amazing gift!

“Change is inevitable. Even when it doesn’t feel right, we have to look for the positive in what’s different.” The clinic and the lab have been through some tremendous changes in the last eight years. There is so much more to come! I think back to that first year and I treasure everything just the way it was. Perhaps more for knowing that it will never be the same again.

The beginning!

Megan, a lab technologist from the US, had set up the lab at Clinica Esperanza. She returned home late in 2012. Her initiative, imagination and dedication was responsible for what the Laboratory is today. I had the pleasure of reconnecting with her at the clinic in 2017. Thank you Megan!

Interested in volunteer opportunities in Roatan?

If you are interested in a medical mission trip to Roatan or volunteer opportunities in Roatan please contact Clinica Esperanza at volunteer@clinicaesperanza.org.

Leslie Laurie

Leslie Laurie was a Canadian laboratory professional for 34 years. Her job responsibilities included drawing blood, performing tests, department management, and operational efficiency for a city wide laboratory of 1800 employees.

Leslie’s interests include snorkeling, scuba, Central America, and learning Spanish. She has a deep desire to integrate into local culture. She believes that giving is more inportant than taking. These passions led her to a long-term role assisting in the laboratory. Her home is 3000 miles away but that doesn’t stop her from serving!