Accomplishments and Pics (Week 13)
1236 words by xumed2010
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Blog exactly what you have done to improve the world regarding your project. This blog does not involve future plans, but actual things you have done this semester to implement your project. Post at least one more picture about your project. Why was Jesus crucified?
I’m officially done with the clinic for the semster everyone. Finals are here and I might attend one more cooking class next Tuesday if I can find the time. It’s been wonderful! And I’m going to miss my days there, but I will for sure return in January. I am proud to say I have changed the world. I have chosen a problem and realized my plan for it as well as executed it. What started as declarations have turned into actions and there is so much more to come. My project started with three parts. It has morphed and changed into four somewhat different chunks. After tons of searching for a place to call home, I found Tulane Community Health Center at Covenant House. My number one contribution would have to be my regular volunteer hours at the clinic. Those were every Wednesday from twelve fifteen to two fifteen in the afternoon, and every Friday afternoon from three to five in the evening. So I caught about five hours a week just doing that. Those days were spent at the front signing in patients as well as greeting anyone who came to clinic. My duties also included filing patient folders from previous appointments that day.
I learned a lot about the going ons of the clinic because I was right in the middle of the action. I even witnessed the important transition of the free clinic to a not so free one. On October 1, there was a requirement of five dollars per visit. But those who could not pay were not turned away. The clinic is supported by a Katrina grant from Qatar, but the money paid by the patients for visits will really help out a lot and ensure the longevity of the place. I also realized that a smile goes a long way! People respond to kindness and don’t mind the wait so much when they are confronted with a personable face. But as I stated in earlier blogs, my stay became that much more involved.
After sending the email and meeting with Benjamin and Dr. Adi, my time input increased greatly. I now had to attend the clinic every Wednesday, Friday and Tuesdays. My mode of transportation was the city bus because I do not own a vehicle. (This project was time consuming as well as exspensive!) But I’m a country girl with a city heart and I didn’t really complain. Working on wednesdays was the hardest because I did it in a three hour chunk in between classes. And let’s just say RTA is not that reliable. But anyway, the number one thing we had to overcome with both projects was publicity. And guess who had to tackle that problem? Me! I put my wonderful skills on Microsoft Publisher to work many time and tried to catch the clinic’s attention with flyers and posters. They came out pretty great and I’ve posted a few below, along with my recent business card reminder creation.
We also had brainstorm meetings randomly throughout the semester because patient attendance was low. We really had problems getting the people who had agreed to come to actually show up. There were three outcomes of the numerous phone calls I made: 1) They either couldn’t make it or just plain weren’t interested
2) They signed up to come but didn’t show up
3) They signed up to come and actually came! I loved those 
Right now, we are still trying to figure out what the problem is. It’s a bit frustrating to prepare so hard for something and to have it fall apart somewhat. But we are getting there and haven’t given up! I believe that transportation has a lot to do with it. And also the times, which are 5:30 pm for both groups. It seems that those who do come are able to come safely. I take risks myself riding around the city on the bus at night but I really don’t look into the hype much. And I’m still standing today so it’s not THAT serious. But wow has it been a semester! The stress was unbelievable sometimes. It seemed as if time was the enemy most days. But I managed to get through it and I can say I’ve grown a lot.
The second/third parts to the project were the aforementioned Diabetes Grou and Cooking Class. The fourth and last part was the facebook group I created. It is called AHPAW, which stands for Assisting Health Professionals Around the World. The idea originally started out as an avenue to inform Xavier students about ways to succeed in the premed world. It is now a gateway to my experiences at the clinic. I basically update the members about what I do each week. Some have even asked how to come volunteer at the clinic! All in all, I think it has been very successful.
Jesus was crucified after he turned over tables in front of the temple in anger. The table traded real money for temple coins that could then be used to buy lambs and such to sacrifice. He was angry because they were profiting from the faith of others. But that was a week before he was betrayed by Judah who kissed him to identify him. He was then put through flimsy trials and crucified between two thieves. His blasphemy was identifying himself as the king of Jews. People see it today as him dying for their sins in Christianity. All I know is that he died for something and suffered horribly.