We had planned on volunteering at four dispensaries for one half day each in the Miao area. We found the dispensaries have not been built yet and travel in the area was not like here in the US. Getting from one place to another was an experience.

We helped one the first dispensaries in the extreme northeast corner of India in a small tow nof Rajanaear. The idea that people from the United States would come brought out many people from the local villages. These people have nothing yet welcomed us with a program of singing and dancing.

Each tribe has a different dialect with no formal structure to that language and no written language. The local volunteers from other parts of india told us of the struggle trying to get a common base to even start. They have goals of providing basic health education, immunizations and hygiene teaching.

We toured the areas and learned how best to help the people. We set up a small clinic in an area that was home ot the poorest of the poor. I was told they had been turned out of Bangladesh and walked to this area of India. We found how change starts out in this area first by having a presence, then building a school, teaching a common language, teaching the basics.

The eventual goal is to eduate and send local villagers to become teachers, nurses and physicians. Currently, they have one member in medical school. In the mean time, they need our help to provide the staff and to show the local people how modern medicine and preventative medicine can make their lives better. Everything needs a start and we were on the front end of this.

The money Fairview was going to supply for medication did not make it in time for our visit. They are in desperate need of antibiotics. We had brought some suplies of our own . Blood pressure eauipment, capillary glucose equipment, and a microscope. Next time I will know what to bring. I was totally unprepared. The locals were well organized; however, I felt we needed a physician in our group. After talking to physicians when I returned home, without having the necessary supplies (lab work,etc.) they would have been in the same dilemma regarding some of the health related questions that came up. Our other program was that of the roads. We were late both times to the clinics that had been set up. Locals had gone home after waitng almost Five hours for us. We had no control over the roads and conditions. We had planned blood pressure, capillary glucose and basic health related questions. The locals did say that just knowing someone was listening gave them hope.

Personally our trip was a sucess. I know my strength and that is to work toward getting money and supplies to this area of northeast India. I hope to one day return and see how the local people with our help can help themselves.

Nanette Nys, RN