Patience and Little Victories

Patience...it is a virtue. It always has been and always will be. I understand this more and more as I reflect on my time here in Moldova. Working on a team is hard enough, but the cultural and language barrier throws in a whole different set of circumstances to work through and test one's patience. I understand this as I visit the hospitals with the therapists from our team and we are met with either 1) coffee, tea and cookies or 2) frustrated stares because we are making more work for them and they aren't quite sure of our presence. Frankly, I don't blame them for not being incredibly welcoming. If I was told that someone was here to tell me how to do my job (and I didn't know them), I would also be extremely frustrated. Two weeks is not enough to form a relationship with professionals and develop rapport. It is essential to have a long term connection and for that I am very thankful for the continued support from Cyndi (the team leader) to the MTI program here in Moldova over the past 6 + years. She has formed such a bond with professionals here that it makes our job much easier. But there are always barriers to be broken and my patience to be tested.

But as my patience is tested, little victories occur. Today, I taught at the Sports University to 4th year students in the Kinetotherapy program. I co-taught with Catherine, PT student, about community service and a specific community service task that rehab students can help with and implement. I first taught about volunteerism, community service, why it is important and a few important steps to take to implement a project. Though I was met with a few blank stares, I got the students talking about their volunteer experience and how their lives have been impacted by helping others. The "piece de resistance" was watching at least 5 students in the class copy down the steps to take to organize a volunteer project. I couldn't believe it and had a rush of enthusiasm. It made me want to sign up for Peace Corps all over again and teach about volunteerism and community involvement to students here in Moldova. I don't think it will actually happen, but I was completely inspired by the students at the Sports University. Plus their professor was incredibly supportive and very interested in the work we were doing.

So...little victories happen everyday and my patience is growing