National Nurses United

nurse in San Rafael, Calif. "It feels like putting a Band-Aid on a gushing wound." But she says she's encouraged that medical professionals came from all over the world to provide care. The medical mission in Coban included a Cuban and an Argentinian doctor, as well as the nurses. "You feel like yes, it's a start, you get more and more people participating and trying to set up care, and hopefully it grows and there is more available for the people in time." Banach says he wants to be one of those who helps create a vibrant health care system in disadvantaged Latin or Central American commu- nities. "This trip honestly felt like a breakthrough for me to reconnect with my values and what type of work I want to do with my life," he said. Perry says RNRN nurses play an important role sharing stories of those in Guatemala with those in the United States. "We serve as a global bridge," said Perry. She says talking about the history of and conditions in Central America are often a shock to her friends and col- leagues. "You understand more why people are fleeing their country." "It opened my eyes," said Webster, who often treats immigrants at her hos- pital in Tucson. She said she understands better why people are leaving their homes. "You see mothers are just trying to take care of their children." Ramos said the current administra- tion's policies towards immigrants—sep- arating children from their families, holding people in deplorable conditions in detention centers, as well as forcing asylum seekers to remain in unsafe con- ditions in Mexico—is a "stain on Ameri- can history." Despite their challenges, she was struck by the strength of the Mayan people she met in Guatemala. "You see they have faith in good and they have a strong community," said Ramos. "They depend on one another for survival and so they will share with neighbors, friends, and family." Webster said she found the people very friendly, but also resilient and fierce, motivated by the belief that they come from the earth and must protect the land. "They were always explaining to us they had the warrior Mayan spirit in them," said Webster. Valdez said on this return trip to the country she left at age 6, she was over- come by a deep connection to that spirit when the nurses visited a cave where the ancient Mayans would commune with their gods. "We entered the cave almost crawling, and then they make you turn off the lights," Valdez explained. "You can actually hear the cave. I got chills throughout my body. It was a very spiritual experience. I felt like I was connected with the ancient people." The connections the nurses made on this trip, both with one another and with the people of Guatemala, has many saying they intend to return. "Health care is a human right, despite class, color, religion. I keep coming back to Guatemala because I have nursing skills and I can give something back," said team leader Perry. "Mother Teresa said, 'Do ordinary things with extraordinary love,' and that is one thing I know every nurse can do with every patient they serve." Rachel Berger is a communications specialist at National Nurses United. J A N U A R Y | F E B R U A R Y | M A R C H 2 0 2 0 W W W . N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G N A T I O N A L N U R S E 13

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